London risks lost summer unless vaccinated foreign tourists can bypass quarantine, businesses warn
London businesses have warned that the capital is at risk of missing out on another summer of inbound tourist spending due after the government announced minimal changes to the UK’s travel rules last night.
Trade bodies said that twice vaccinated international travellers should be subject to the same rules as Brits of the same status.
The calls came after transport secretary Grant Shapps confirmed that later in the summer fully vaccinated Brits would be able to return from “amber list” destinations without quarantining.
A quieter central London
The New West End company, which represents 600 businesses in central London, it was vital that international travellers from key markets be allowed back onto the capital’s streets.
“World class destinations such as London’s West End rely heavily on overseas visitors and their spending to maintain appeal for global brands”, said chief executive Jace Tyrell.
“While we are pleased to see the green list expanding, until travel is a two-way street and twice vaccinated international travellers are spared quarantine, the UK’s high streets, city centres and businesses will continue to struggle.
“Surely twice vaccinated families arriving from amber countries such as the US and China should not be treated differently to British travellers returning from the same cities and on the same flights?”
UK Inbound, which represents Britain’s domestic tourism trade, said that ministers had “effectively wiped out the UK’s inbound summer season” by not putting the EU and US on the “green list”.
“While it’s positive to see the green list expanded, don’t be fooled. This fundamentally makes absolutely no difference to the £28bn inbound tourism export industry and the half a million workers whose jobs and livelihoods hang in the balance”, said chief executive Joss Croft.
How late in the summer?
Meanwhile, the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) welcomed the “amber list” announced, but urged ministers to provide details as soon as possible.
“Clearly we will have to await further details next month, but I think businesses in London that rely upon inbound international tourism or business travel will be nervous about just how late in the summer the government means”, said chief exec Richard Burge.
“I think some businesses will be concerned that we run the risk of losing the competitive trading advantage that the pace of our vaccination rollout should present us with.”
The DfT hinted last night that the quarantine-free travel would slowly be extended to all incoming passengers, not just Brits.
“We expect this to occur in phases, starting with UK residents”, a statement from the department read.
A spokesperson said that more details on how the rules could apply “more broadly” would be set out in due course.
In last night’s travel update, Malta, Madeira, the Balearic Islands, several UK Overseas Territories and Caribbean Islands including Barbados were added to the “green list”.
It came after German chancellor Angela Merkel called on the EU to shut its borders to the UK to keep out the so-called “Delta” variant of Covid-19.