In response to news that British Airways will be the official carrier of the British & Irish Lions Tour in July, Tourism Update reader, Jan Jenkins, had this to say:

“I am delighted for BA (Comair) that they have the honour of carrying the teams for what is known worldwide as one of the greatest rugby spectacles.
I am so sad for the rest of the industry that no spectators are allowed at the one big event that would have benefited and saved a bleeding industry and the jobs of so many.
Hotels, coach operators, tour operators, attractions, restaurants, shops, informal traders and many, many more, will not share in what was hoped would be our saving grace.
The loss of 30 000 inbound tourists is a harsh blow – but this is the reality of COVID-19. Perhaps our Tourism Minister and Department would like to try and fight a little harder for economic assistance for the industry.

There has been no economic assistance (that was promised previously but never received by the majority) for the industry, which has now also lost out on this opportunity from which only an airline and selected hotels will benefit whilst the rest of the industry will be forced into more closures and debt.

Is this how the tourism industry will be in the future? At present there is no future.”