Coronavirus in Scotland: Third of jobs in travel sector lost as groups urge for government support

A third of jobs have been lost in Scotland’s travel sector, a new study has revealed.

A passenger walking through Edinburgh Airport picture: JPI Media

The new figures from ABTA – The Travel Association – show that 8,770 jobs have already been lost or placed at risk across the Scottish travel sector and its supply chain since the pandemic started, which represents almost one third of all jobs in the industry.

ABTA said the Scottish Government has exacerbated the impact on jobs and businesses by not providing grants or support to travel agents or tour operators despite advising people not to travel.

Grant schemes currently in place to support businesses across the country, such as the ones set out by the Strategic Framework Business Fund, do not consider travel businesses, according to the group.

ABTA, which says more than 28,000 people across Scotland are either employed directly by travel businesses operating within, or have jobs reliant upon, the outbound travel sector, has written to Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Kate Forbes, reiterating the urgent need for a plan to save jobs in the industry.

It has also called for grant funding to be made available, and raised concerns about the “repeated statements” made by the Scottish Government on social media and in briefings about not travelling overseas “unless it’s essential.”

ABTA claims these messages cause significant damage to consumer confidence and businesses and that, if such advice is given, support should be provided to those businesses affected.

Mark Tanzer, ABTA’s chief executive, said: “With the UK in the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, it is right that the Scottish Government’s acts in the interest of Public Health.

"But if the Scottish Government is advising individuals against travel, as it has done on numerous occasions, then ministers must recognise that travel businesses are in effect closed, in all but law, and should therefore be provided with appropriate financial support to help them through this difficult time.

“With the right assistance, travel businesses remain viable in the medium-long term. Many of the businesses that find themselves struggling right now were highly successful, profitable, enterprises before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and can be so again with the right framework of policy and financial support.”

Mike Tibbert, vice president of the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association (SPAA) also commented on the recent job losses in the industry.

He said: “The SPAA has been calling for tailored support for the travel sector throughout the pandemic, which has caused significant and ongoing damage for travel businesses and jobs.

"Our members recently protested outside the Scottish Parliament building to bring these issues to the seat of government in Scotland. We’re currently in constructive discussions with the Scottish government on our proposal for a package of measures for our members and we’re encouraged at this stage that they appreciate the full picture of the impact and have our proposals under active consideration.

"We’re optimistic that we can agree future measures to aid an industry which has been, and continues to be, devastated by the ongoing effects of the pandemic on international travel.”

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