Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, said: “As the Chancellor prepares to announce his critical budget, WTTC today calls on the UK government to prioritise the urgent resumption of international business travel - in line with the reopening of mobility and the easing of restrictions to domestic travel from the beginning of April.
“We need to capitalise on the huge success of the vaccine rollout and unblock the myriad of confusing rules and regulations which has stalled essential business travel. Now is the time to show that the UK government really means business.
“The resumption of safe international business travel will generate a much-needed revenue boost for businesses up and down the country and provide a critical economic lifeline to the government and enable the Chancellor to begin balancing the books.
“The UK is the fourth biggest G20 economy in terms of international Travel & Tourism spend from business travel, contributing £7.5 billion to UK Plc in 2019, and will be vital to kick-starting the country’s recovery.
“Resuming international travel also means the country’s economy can reopen more quickly, giving the UK a distinct competitive advantage as the globe slowly recovers and emerges from the ravages of the pandemic."