Travel chiefs and business leaders demanded ministers act to reduce the cost of rip-off tests for holidaymakers.
Ministers announced on Wednesday that restrictions on international travel will be scrapped – allowing cruises to begin again.
They also said that double-jabbed US and EU travellers will be able to travel to the UK without the need to quarantine.
But there was nothing said about the high cost of tests that travellers must take to prove their Covid negative status, which can be hundreds of pounds.
Travel chiefs and business leaders demanded ministers act to reduce the cost of rip-off tests for holidaymakers
Abta, the group which represents tour operators and travel agents, welcomed the resumption of cruising but warned barriers remain. A spokesman said: ‘We need to see the Government make further progress on making testing more affordable and proportionate, and we need to see more destinations added to the green list at next week’s review.’
Willie Walsh, the director of airline group IATA and former head of British Airways, said: ‘Why are travellers forced to test twice, the second time using expensive PCR tests?’
Claire Walker, co-executive director of the British Chambers of Commerce, said firms wanted to see cheaper tests for foreign visitors to the UK to incentivise them to come.
She added: ‘These costs must not be allowed to become an impediment to the viability of businesses.’
Yesterday, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said easing restrictions for EU and US travellers coming to England was a ‘smart, sensible’ approach. He admitted the Government ‘cannot guarantee’ that US and EU travellers will not try to show fake vaccination certificates but said it was ‘highly unlikely’.
Bill for testing cost almost as much as flightsBy Martin Beckford for the Daily Mail
It was in the dark days of the winter lockdown that I booked a summer family holiday to Spain.
Like millions of Britons, I wanted my children to have something to look forward to while stuck at home.
And I felt sure that the vaccination programme would see foreign travel back on track within a few months.
Months of anxiety later, my gamble appeared to have paid off as foreign travel restarted and then double-jabbed passengers like me were told we would not have to isolate on return from Amber list countries – just days before we were due
