TRAVEL agencies across Trinidad and Tobago are reporting bookings to London have fallen by as much as 80% following the United Kingdom’s decision in March to impose a visa requirement on T&T nationals.
Some agents say demand for the UK route has virtually vanished, with one describing bookings as “almost zero.”
In March, the UK introduced the mandatory visa process citing concerns over increasing criminal elements among asylum seekers from Trinidad and Tobago.
The Sunday Express Business spoke with several agencies, all confirming the sharp decline in UK-bound bookings since the visa requirement took effect.
They also expressed concerns about visa denials, which have led to losses from non-refundable payments on tours already booked to European destinations.
Vacation Connections manager Waheeda Mohammed says several clients are affected by the visa imposition, particularly people who had previously booked trips and were subsequently denied a visa.
“People booked on European tours and all of that, and they were scheduled to fly into the UK to connect with those tours. Most of those tours tend to be non-refundable 90 days before travel, so it is affecting people financially because they cannot get back their money,” she explained.
She estimated the cost of some tours to be between US$2,500 and US$4,000.
“With cruise lines and these sorts of tours, their policy is: you have to pay in full 90 days before you travel. So, most of them—people who travel in August, for instance—we would have already paid in full for the tour. We would have already paid in full for the cruise, if they had a cruise. So, we can’t really get back a big fraction of the money. Some of them, we were able to get back 20% or 15%,” she explained.
Mohammed lamented a noticeable decline in bookings to the UK, saying it is about 80%.
“Nobody asked for London anymore…people hardly ask for London,” she said, but added there has been an increase in people booking to travel through Amsterdam. However, this location carries an added cost of over $10,000, making it unaffordable for some customers.
She expressed concern over the number of visa refusals, noting that the most common reasons cited are insufficient ties to Trinidad and Tobago and inadequate financial resources.
She believes the new visa policy is greatly affecting a segment of travellers who do not possess a United States (US) visa “but want a nice vacation and thought that they could have gone to Europe; and now, they just have to stick to the Caribbean and Latin America.”
Another travel agency also highlighted similar challenges. “People are still travelling, though it will deter some persons because it is an additional cost to their ticket; but there are persons like business people, persons who are going to study—they are still travelling,” said Indra Teerath at Liberty Vacations.
Now, with the new process, she said travellers must plan further in advance to accommodate the visa application and factor in the additional cost to their overall travel budget.
She estimated a 40% drop in bookings to that destination. While business has been impacted, she noted that the agency books travel worldwide, and demand for other regions remains steady.
“We had a big clientele for London—but not anymore,” a representative expressed from Mid-Eastern Travel.
“I have a lot of people who go Japan and they pass through London, and that is done and over with. They have to look for other means.” He said it is a big “drop in the bucket” for them. He estimated an 80% decrease in bookings, noting that interest in destinations beyond London has also declined, as travellers often have to transit through the UK.
Pointing out that Amsterdam is the alternative route, he said it is an additional cost, noting that people would typically choose the London route. He also described challenges customers are having in attaining a visa.
Krystal Tours manager Ainsley Boodoosingh said the visa application process has been a horrendous experience for some people. He explained that recently, a group of 20 people were refused visas. “They were going to Europe and they’d booked since last year, and they applied for the visa—and when you are refused, they put a note that you cannot appeal.” He added that this group had intended to go on a European tour for 20 days.
He noted that since it’s an electronic system, there’s no one available to speak with directly.
Additionally, “there is no e-mail to send to anybody.” When asked about reasons for refusals, he said most travellers were told immigration was not convinced their trip was for tourism.
Boodoosingh also cited finances as a reason for refusal. He believes some of the reasons seem confusing.
Confirming a decline, he said it was about 60%. Boodoosingh stated that the sudden imposition of the UK visa did not leave room for a seamless process.
One high-profile person affected by the updated UK visa requirements is Trinidad and Tobago’s Akeal Hosein, currently ranked the world’s No. 2 T20 bowler.
As a result, Hosein, who plays cricket globally, was unable to join the West Indies team for the start of the T20 series in the UK on Friday.
The matter was eventually resolved.
The Express submitted inquiries to the British High Commissioner’s Office concerning the visa restrictions’ impact, as reported by local travel agencies. The office acknowledged receipt and said they would provide a formal response in due course.
Earlier this week, British High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago John Dean met with Defence Minister Wayne Sturge and Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander to discuss the UK’s visa requirement for Trinidad and Tobago travellers.
The ministries issued a joint statement on the meeting, following which Sturge was contacted by the Express as to whether the UK visa restriction on T&T was discussed.
Responding via WhatsApp, Sturge said: “Yes, we did discuss the current impasse regarding the imposition of visas. Further discussions will take place, hopefully before the end of June.”
He did not provide any details.
Tuesday’s meeting at the ministries’ Temple Court, Port of Spain, offices was described as a success.
According to the joint release, the meeting “provided a valuable opportunity for the High Commissioner to engage directly with the ministers on a range of critical security issues”.
“Both ministers welcomed the High Commissioner’s visit, which allowed for an in-depth exchange on matters of shared concern between Trinidad and Tobago and the United Kingdom”.
Key topics which were addressed during the dialogue included transnational organised crime, cybersecurity threats, border security, and the growing challenge of illegal firearms.
“The discussions also centred on the strategic priorities of both ministries and the potential for further collaboration to bolster national and regional security,” the release stated. Sturge and Alexander also “expressed their appreciation for the long-standing partnership between Trinidad and Tobago and the United Kingdom”, according to the statement.
