Travel allowance barrier 'waste of time'
Page 15
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
A CONFERENCE of travel agents in London has been told by Mr. F. W. J. Robinson, general manager and secretary of London Coastal Coaches Ltd. that the Government's travel allowance ceiling of £50 a year for holidays abroad would probably prove to be a "waste of time".
Mr. Robinson thought that the restrictions would have very little direct effect as most advertised package tours left plenty of spending money available after paying all expenses. The actual amount available for holidays, including the £15 sterling allowance, was £65 in any case.
What was more important from the agent's point of view was the reduction in the amount of spending money which would be generally available in 1967. due to the Government's credit squeeze. It was going to be harder to sell holidays, warned Mr. Robinson.
During the conference, attention was drawn to the anomaly in the cost of inclusive holidays at home and abroad. For example a 12-day tour of Scotland cost 55 guineas while a 12-day tour to the Costa Brava cost 37 guineas. This was due to the cost of hotel accommodation in this country.