A travel management company specialising in entertainment travel
has welcomed the news that performing artists from the UK would not need visas or
work permits for short tours in 19 EU member states.
The government announced last week that
artists on tour in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,
France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg,
Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Sweden would not require the extra
paperwork.
Jason Oshiokpekhai, managing director of Global Travel Collection
in the UK, said: “Most people do not realise that entertainment travel in Europe is
vital to the business travel industry but also plays a fundamental role in our economy. Our
industry has been dealt a double-blow this year with Covid-19 restrictions and Brexit
complications delaying recovery.
“[The] news that negotiations between the Department for Digital,
Culture, Media and Sport and nineteen EU member states have successfully resulted in
visa-free travel will come as welcome relief to many of our advisors and their clients
whose livelihoods are solely reliant on entertainment travel.”
“This is welcome news for
our industry. UK artists contribute billions to the GDP and have a huge impact on European markets,” said Brenda Lillywhite from
Movin’ Music Ltd. “Freedom of movement is paramount to the success of touring. It is just
disappointing that this decision took so long when governments across Europe have been reaping the
rewards of the industry’s success for decades.”
Brian Locke, owner of The Tour Division, said the announcement was
good news for his clients but that there were still factors that restricted
movement, criticising the failure to address the major issues around cabotage, the restrictions imposed
on UK hauliers supporting tours:
“In a year that has sent our industry reeling from the effects of
the pandemic and the Brexit deal, this is a much-needed step in the right direction for our
performers and supporting crew. Let’s hope the remaining countries can confirm the same deal
soon and also find a solution allows for the movement of freight and bus companies that
provide essential services for touring.”
The government said it was actively engaging with
the remaining EU member states.
“We recognise challenges remain around touring, and we are continuing to
work closely with the industry. We want to ensure that when Covid-19
restrictions are lifted, touring can resume and our world-leading creative and
cultural artists can continue to travel widely, learning their craft, growing
their audiences and showing the best of British creativity to the world,” it said.