Huw Merriman: ‘I will always have admiration for travel agents’
Huw MerrimanHuw Merriman was one of travel’s few friends in Westminster during Covid. Writing for TTG after opting not to seek re-election in July, Merriman reflects on his efforts – and those of parliament’s transport committee – to support outbound travel during the pandemic.
Three months after I was elected chair of parliament’s transport committee, the country was plunged into the first Covid lockdown.
Government support was inconsistent. In transport, there were winners and losers. And in being shut down in a stroke, international travel was very much a loser.
During the three years I chaired the committee, we held numerous inquiries that led to recommendations urging government to support the travel industry more equitably and to allow travel to recommence with fewer barriers.
I cannot help but conclude, in retrospect, that travel was made a scapegoat following the decision to allow borders to remain open during the early stages of the pandemic.
‘Good people’
It is hard to imagine a sector more disadvantaged than retail travel agents. Not only were they not gaining any income, they were, in direct contrast to many other sectors, having to channel money out of their businesses to refund those whose trips had to be cancelled.
In one of our reports, we called on government to change the regulations to give travel more breathing space. I was very grateful to the many agents who took time to give me evidence and explain what needed to be done.
I was struck by those I met – good people, many of whom had built their businesses over many decades, employed local people and were dedicated to giving their customers the holiday and experience of a lifetime.
It’s a source of frustration the government of the day could not deliver beyond simply, and eventually, reopening travel. But why was this?
Part of it, I believe, lies with the fragmented state of travel’s governance. Transportation finds itself within the Department for Transport, but rules regulating travel businesses sit with the Department for Business and Trade. Tourism, meanwhile, sits with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, while decisions on the safety of international travel lie with the Foreign Office.
Each department was fixated on those areas where they had sole control. And if there was any overarching governance, it was dominated by health – and caution – rather than the economic and wellbeing benefits that come with a strong economy, keeping people in work and allowing them to expand their horizons.
‘Passion, hard work, devotion’
My committee’s final report, published as a “lessons learnt” set of recommendations, concluded the government’s restrictions on travel throughout the pandemic were disproportionate to the public health risk, causing a severe financial shock to the sector.
We found decision-making processes were neither transparent or consistent, and not based on scientific consensus. We called for a cross-government toolkit so, if there were to be another pandemic, decisions would be taken in a prepared, evidence-based manner and be consistent across departments.
Despite government’s lethargy, I always remained positive about the sector’s future. We all have a thirst for adventure and new horizons. And surely those agents who stood by their clients will benefit from those consumers who lost out in differing transactions?
A 2022 Abta report appeared to back this view, which found people were 30% more likely to book with a travel professional than before the pandemic, largely down to the security that comes from booking with an agent. Crucially, support was largest in the youngest age group.
I hope the passion, hard work and devotion I saw from agents was not only testament to them getting through the pandemic, but is now driving their businesses forward.
It’s a sector I will always look back on with a sense of sorrow that we could not do more, but with huge admiration for its independence and drive. Long may it thrive.
Snapshot: Huw Merriman MP
Huw Merriman is the former MP for Bexhill and Battle in East Sussex. He chaired parliament’s transport committee from January 2020 to October 2022, and went on to serve as minister of state for rail and HS2 under Rishi Sunak's Conservative administration before ultimately opting not to seek re-election in July after nine years in parliament. Prior to his parliamentary career, Merriman was a barrister. "Transport has been my passion throughout my time in parliament", he wrote after deciding not to stand in the July general election. "I am grateful to have served for seven years on the transport select committee, with almost three as chair."
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