UK Government and WTTC are in the middle of a real debate on PCR cost coverage. If UK Government insists that travelers are intended to pay them, WTTC suggested a government full-coverage cost for those who are fully jabbed. It is perfectly clear that the travel and tourism industry has been one of the most hit by the pandemic situation. The way of traveling has changed, and some new regulations must be respected. Green Passes and antigenic tests are now key for those who want to travel. People are requested to test themselves before traveling and sometimes it can be a challenging situation since not all can afford the cost.
Indeed, PCR tests in the UK is one of the most expensive in all Europe; it can go from 75£ to 400£. WTTC does not want to give up and is demanding it as a crucial action in order not to dismantle all little progressions this sector gained after the reopening. The huge price risks discourage again the restart of travel and tourism activities. According to YouGov, almost half of the British people did not choose to travel due to the huge cost of tests.
For many people – especially families and small businesses on a budget – the crippling added cost of the unnecessary PCR tests makes the difference between being able to travel or not. It’s clear that many British adults simply can’t afford to travel overseas at all if they have to pay the excessive cost of PCR tests.
Virginia Messina, WTTC Senior Vice President, and Acting CEO
Moreover, new rules should be given as WTTC said. Returning UK visitors would only need an affordable antigen test, with additional costly PCR tests reserved for those who tested positive. Unvaccinated visitors would continue to take a test on departure, as well as a PCR test on Day two of their return.
WTTC has helped to spearhead the coordinated international response to the impact of the pandemic upon the global travel & tourism sector – which has so far cost 62 million jobs in the sector and suffered a loss of almost US$4.3 trillion.
