Inbound sector pleads for emergency cash to ‘weather’ Omicron storm

Trade body UKinbound and 67 business leaders said the sector had been “in peril” for 22 months and the latest UK restrictions had come at “considerable cost to businesses that are on the cusp of recovery”.

The reintroduction of pre-departure testing, Day 2 PCR tests and the need to isolate before getting test results have been “causing mass cancellations”. 

The inbound industry has made three requests to Johnson: to provide emergency grants for the inbound tourism industry, allocate the £1.5 billion Business Rates Relief Fund to firms most affected by the pandemic, and give remaining Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) cash to businesses facing direct challenges due to Covid.

Joss Croft, UKinbound’s chief executive, said: “Almost every UK business that works in inbound tourism has been affected by the Omicron travel restrictions. These new constrains have directly restricted businesses’ ability to trade and with government support all but ceased, the industry is in a precarious position. 

“We desperately need emergency funding that would allow businesses to weather the direct effects of Omicron. We have therefore asked government to work with the industry, prior to the next restrictions review date of 21 December, to develop a suitable fund.”

The letter to the prime minister has been signed by a range of inbound businesses including attractions, destinations, hotels, transport providers and tour operators.

Earlier this week, UKinbound released new survey results finding that 86% of members have received cancellations or are expecting to receive further cancellations in the run-up to Christmas.