Dealing with overseas travel since the beginning of the pandemic has brought a lot of suffering to everyone in the industry. First the uncontrolled, open borders, then pointing the finger and extreme travel embarrassment, followed by a traffic light system in which colors flash from one to the other like a disco strobe.

So far, the tourism industry has been patient, waiting for vaccines to be administered safely in the hope that a return to overseas travel may follow. So far, however, these hopes have not been fulfilled.

Now Tui, virgin, Ryanair and British Airways are taking legal action and hundreds of agents are expected to take part in a travel day of action in London today (June 23). Edinburgh and Belfast to advocate a safe restart for international travel. consumer can also take part in a Twitter storm scheduled for 2 p.m. using the hashtag #traveldayofaction.

Organized by travel agency ABTA The protest is intended to put pressure on the government to expand the green list of countries where quarantine-free travel is allowed, while maintaining a strong red list to protect against variants. They are also calling for a package of tailored financial assistance to help the ailing industry.

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But the suffering goes much further. In an open letter to Boris Johnson The World Travel & Tourism Council has warned the government that the UK is now taking a daily loss of 639 million – in addition to the 307,000 jobs lost in the UK last year.

For most of us, having to cancel an overseas trip is both frustrating and annoying. But for so many people employed in the industry – both here and abroad – the impact has created a tsunami of disasters. For example, in Africa, where tourism is a lifeline, thousands were unemployed and unable to support their families; valuable wild animals were poached out of hunger and desperation; and cases of domestic violence have increased.

It may sound dramatic, but that’s the hard truth.

Of course, health and safety should always be a priority, and there is no denying that international travel has played a role in the spread of variations. But if it’s managed properly, there is a way to cautiously restart the industry. Over 47% of UK adults have already been double-vaccinated and appropriate measures should allow them to travel freely. From July 1, Europeans will be on the road thanks to the Green Pass – as proof that a person has tested negative for Covid-19 or received a vaccine. So why should we stay behind?

Perhaps the government should also understand that travel is more than just a leisure activity or a frivolous luxury; Tourism is a livelihood for millions of people.

Boris himself said we have to “learn to live with the coronavirus”. So isn’t it time he went back to the board and devised a better study plan?

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