ABTA’s evidence to COVID-19 inquiry features in new report, published today

Travel industry felt the impact of the pandemic “like no other”

The expert evidence and insight provided by ABTA during a roundtable for the COVID-19 inquiry features in a new report published today, Monday 16 February 2026.

The roundtable is one of the ways ABTA has been engaging with the inquiry to highlight the impact measures taken during the pandemic had on travel businesses.

Overall, ABTA says that while it recognises the overriding priority during the pandemic was to protect public health, measures were often applied without full consideration to how the industry operates, and the different businesses within it.

As part of its engagement with the inquiry, ABTA has also highlighted the role of financial support and how it was made available to businesses. It says travel businesses couldn’t maximise the opportunity for furlough because of the need to process cancellations. The association also highlighted how it was only due to their own lobbying that agents were eventually included in the scope of grants support when retail was closed. Other sectors, such as coach and tour operators, were not offered any national support packages at all, despite being effectively closed down.

Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of ABTA – The Travel Association said:

“The travel industry felt the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic like no other sector.

“When travel shut down, unlike most other businesses, travel companies couldn’t pivot – no international travel meant no revenue. We know some of our members are still feeling the effects, particularly the pressure of loan repayments.

“Of course, we recognise the immense challenge the pandemic posed the Government, and the need to protect public health. However, as recognised in today’s report, often measures adopted were impractical and did not reflect business realities. For example, the traffic light system to get travel going again – while designed to support the industry – resulted in frequent changes to travel rules which caused operational problems and damaged consumer confidence.

“This is why it has been really important for the COVID-19 inquiry to hear from the industry, and we were pleased to have been able to share our insight and members’ experience. If a similar situation arises in future, we need a policy response that protects public health but also recognises the impact on business, providing tailored measures and commensurate support. 

“It’s encouraging to see that the report also recognises the role of the Refund Credit Notes, an initiative which was instigated by ABTA, and where we were able to secure the backing from the Civil Aviation Authority and Government. This helped to save many travel businesses, as well as providing confidence for consumers that they wouldn’t lose out financially.”

Notes to editors
ABTA is a trade association for UK travel agents, tour operators and the wider travel industry. We’re the largest travel trade body, with over 4,300 travel brands in membership who have a combined annual UK turnover of over £40 billion. We work closely with our members to help raise and maintain standards and build a more sustainable travel industry, and provide travellers with advice, guidance and support.

Our members sign up to a code of conduct and commit to agreed service standards and fair trading. When you need clear travel information, and accurate and impartial advice relating to your trip, we’re here for you. When you book with an ABTA member, reliable advice comes as standard. This means that booking with our members brings peace of mind.

All this together means we help you travel with confidence. www.abta.com