Officers on the World Journey & Tourism Council (WTTC) have argued closing international locations is counterproductive and can critically delay the financial restoration.
The feedback come as a lot of nations refuse to accept flights from the UK as fears of a brand new variant of Covid-19 unfold.
Gloria Guevara, WTTC chief govt, stated: “Whereas defending public well being is paramount, blanket journey bans can’t be the reply.
“They haven’t labored prior to now and they won’t work now.”
“If a complete and fast turnaround testing regime had been in place at airports throughout the nation to check all travellers earlier than they depart, it might guarantee solely these contaminated with Covid-19 are remoted and are prevented from travelling.
“There can be no want for international locations to introduce damaging and counterproductive wholesale bans on UK travellers.
“Individuals shouldn’t be deterred from travelling as a result of they merely can not discover or organize to get examined at an area testing centre or lab.
“We have to make it a lot simpler for travellers to get a check previous to their journey.”
There are fears the brand new variant of Covid-19 might unfold considerably sooner than current strains, however scientists argue extra work must be achieved.
“Travellers pose no increased threat than different members of the group in the event that they comply with all of the internationally recognised well being security protocols, together with the necessary carrying of masks and common testing,” stated Guevara.
“Whereas we perceive the priority and have to curb the unfold of Covid-19, the rising variety of blunt journey bans are extremely disruptive and economically damaging.
“We must always not underestimate the horrible social impression of accelerating isolation and its impact on psychological well being.
“Each sector of the financial system, not simply tourism, will undergo – as will these international locations imposing the ban as their very own economies really feel the impression of border closures and the lack of enterprise.
“The tourism sector will likely be important to powering the financial restoration, which is why it’s completely essential that motion should be taken now to put it aside. If not, it’ll collapse, and thousands and thousands of individuals will lose their jobs.”
