UK tourism body warns of job losses in lockdown

Up to 180,000 jobs in the travel and tourism sector in the United Kingdom could be lost if COVID-19 related travel restrictions are reimposed this winter, it has been reported.

According to new data from the World Travel and Tourism Council, or WTTC, which represents the global private travel and tourism sector, any new restrictions, such as travellers requiring a booster jab before going overseas, could further damage an already embattled industry.

The global tourism body fears that any measures introduced could make the UK a less attractive travel destination which would, in turn, make the UK less competitive.

The figures were revealed on Monday during the 2021 Tourism Alliance Conference, a major event where industry leaders discussed how to rebuild Britain's travel and tourism industry.

The WTTC's concerns come amid reported government plans to bring back testing and quarantine for travellers who refuse the booster vaccine.

Earlier this month, official guidance was updated to say the government "is reviewing the implications and requirements of boosters for international travel certification" and "looking at whether and how booster vaccinations could be included in the (National Health Service) COVID-19 pass for travel."

The WTTC had said around 20 percent of the UK population had received the booster jab, which until Monday had only been available to the over-50s. The group said this represents a minority of those able to travel, and such a move would leave millions unable to go abroad, with a huge economic impact.

"If wide-scale restrictions, such as limiting travel only to those with the booster jab, were enforced in 2022, more than half a million jobs could be at stake next year," the WTTC said.

Julia Simpson, WTTC president and CEO said: "The very real prospect of more than 500,000 people losing their jobs across the UK travel and tourism sector because of unnecessary travel restrictions is a huge concern to the WTTC."

"We cannot afford to let all the hard-earned progress we've made this year slide back and be reversed," she said.

On Monday, the government announced all over-40s will now be offered a third vaccine dose.

Research by the WTTC also revealed the government could see up to 5.3 billion pounds ($7.1 billion) wiped from the sector's contribution to the economy before the end of 2021 if severe travel restrictions come back into force. If stricter restrictions remain in place for much of next year, the WTTC said this could result in a loss of up to 21.7 billion pounds to the UK economy.