AQW 13495/17-22

Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 27/01/2021
Answered On Date: 25/03/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister whether he will establish a COVID-19 business support scheme for travel agents and tour operators.

Answer:

The Executive agreed to provide a financial support scheme to help vulnerable but viable travel agents, including self-employed homeworkers. The scheme will provide support for the costs of re-opening or keeping a business operational; re-connecting with employees and customers and adapting customer marketing; and financial planning. It will provide a flat payment of £10,000 per premises to travel agency businesses operating from commercial premises, or a £3,500 single payment to self-employed travel agents working from home.

The scheme will be open for applications from 19 – 26 March 2021 (inclusive).