Despite the fact many Southern and East African countries still appear on the UK red lists, with British citizens required to quarantine for 10 days should they visit these countries, it is encouraging to see the travel trade rise up in unity and demand change.

The latest being the #traveldayofaction in the UK on Wednesday (June 23) that saw trade bodies from across the aviation and travel industries participate in an organised lobby at the Houses of Parliament.

In response to this, and all the trade associations – including SATSA and the African Travel and Tourism Association (ATTA) – have done to lobby to open travel, MD of Wild Wings Safaris, Onne Vegter, had this to say:

“Good effort by our associations; well done! Pity we have to spend our time and energy protesting and lobbying the government rather than concentrate on selling future travel and keeping our businesses afloat. The level of risk faced by Britain does NOT justify the ongoing travel restrictions, particularly considering the high levels of vaccination, low death rate, and requirement for a negative PCR test to travel.

I still feel, as long as ANY business is restricted from operating or earning a living because of restrictions imposed by the government, the MPs and decision-makers as well as their COVID-tunnel-vision advisers need to forfeit their salaries. No freedom, no pay!

Millions of people in the travel industry have gone without income since March 2020. Denying people the right to earn a living, and denying low-risk, vaccinated people the right to travel and go on holiday, is categorically wrong. It's oppressive, authoritarian and completely disproportionate to the actual level of risk. Rather follow the example of Sweden, Texas or Florida. They have had better outcomes without the draconian restrictions imposed by BJ and his band of fear mongers.”