Advantage Chief Executive Julia Lo Bue-Said has criticised the UK Government for its inconsistent policies relating to the Middle East crisis, which are unfairly penalising those who sell package holidays.
Speaking to delegates at the consortium’s conference in Madrid this week, she said while Gulf carriers to and from the UK have scaled up their operations, the FCDO’s travel warnings remain in place and are leaving many consumers confused.
“Tour operators complying with the Package Travel Regulations are still required to reroute flights from the gulf, creating additional disruption and cost for their business and customers,” she said.
“Yet independently booked travellers are still able to fly because they are not booking a package and often without valid insurance cover.
“The result is a clear inconsistency: businesses operating within the regulatory package holiday market framework are effectively disadvantaged compared with those operating outside it.”
She said the conflict stands as a “stark reminder of the fragility of today’s geopolitical landscape”, and of “how exposed our industry remains to forces beyond our control”.
“Beyond the devastating humanitarian impact, the conflict has created significant disruption for businesses and travellers worldwide and right now, the most significant impact, as I see it, is on already fragile consumer confidence,” she said.
