The severely affected travel sector, which has now been practically completely shut down for about 10 months and has been requested not to carry out any travel until April 1, at least, will talk to outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Thursday 28 January. ANVR chairman Frank Oostdam and vice-chairman also TUI director Arjan Kers want to speak with the Prime Minister about the current position of the travel sector, the support measures plus package and the future prospects.

“Our affiliated travel agencies, travel organizations and self-employed travel agents, the self-employed in our industry, are on their lips. But of course we will continue to follow the travel advice of Foreign Affairs; so our travel companies do not travel to orange destinations, ”says Oostdam. He adds that it is important to keep the focus on what travel advice is actually intended for: namely safety at the destination and not on keeping the Dutch 'inside'.   

The travel industry is moderately positive about the package of additional bailout measures announced by the government last week, for which many of the hard hit travel companies are eligible. With many hundreds of thousands of cancellations, high repatriation costs (travel-related 'unused supplies') and an average drop in sales of around 90%, 2020 has been a dramatic year for the travel industry and unfortunately the end is not yet in sight. Travel companies desperately need the support to bridge the winter in the hope that they will soon be able to focus on what is possible.

And Oostdam and Kers want to exchange ideas about this with outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte. What can an exit strategy look like, how can we restart travel responsibly? In addition to the vaccine that offers a solution, tests for the not yet vaccinated or safe corridors from one destination to another may also offer a solution to make travel possible again. The ANVR reports this on their website.

Oostdam: “Naturally, we want to do everything we can to reach the finish line in a good way with as many travel companies as possible. You already notice that consumers have an enormous need for a holiday. It is true that booking is lagging behind, but you notice from the surfing behavior that the Dutch want to leave. ”

Also read: Urgent ANVR appeal: 'Use your vouchers as soon as possible'