Travel industry ANVR, which employs some 20.000 travel professionals, is one of the few sectors that has been practically stationary for more than six months now. Despite this time of crisis with a turnover loss of more than 80%, the hard-hit sector retains its long-term perspective. After all, the Dutch want to go on vacation; but with a world on 'orange' this is not possible at the moment. Only government measures, including a voucher bank and the correct measures of a 3rd emergency package, can help travel companies overcome this very difficult period.
'With a revenue loss of more than 80% (and for companies that organize trips to intercontinental destinations this is even higher), the sector amply exceeds - in the now leaked plans for a new 3rd economic emergency package - the criterion of 30% revenue decline. However, the associated lower NOW government contribution of 70-80% unfortunately does not help many travel companies sufficiently and may still kill them. The leaked proposal to let this 3rd emergency package run until next summer would be a nice step to help companies through the winter, but is not enough, 'said Walter Schut, deputy director of ANVR.
In addition to this step, the travel industry has been calling for sector-specific measures from the government for months; support that the government has already promised at the beginning of the crisis.
One of the sector-specific measures that can help in part is the plan that guarantee fund SGR and ANVR have submitted to the Ministry of Economic Affairs to establish a voucher bank. The quickly introduced and well thought-out travel vouchers with SGR guarantee, for the consumer whose trip has been or will be canceled, must be repaid to the traveler 'sooner or later'.
In order not to allow companies to eventually collapse, companies should be able to borrow money from the government via SGR with the agreement that this amount will be repaid in a number of years. This allows both the travel company to remain afloat and the consumer to receive what he is entitled to and the damage for SGR and the government (in the event of company bankruptcy) can be limited in this way.
De ANVRtravel sector is struggling, remains creative and sees perspective, but will soon be able to continue organizing wonderful trips for Dutch people if they are now financially supported by the government. That could mean the preservation of 20.000 jobs for which the government would then not have to pay benefits.
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