The Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) has called for increased awareness of the UK government’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, addressing its implications for UK coach operators, particularly those engaged in inbound tourism.
The ETA is a new obligation for international visitors (non UK and Republic of Ireland citizens) not requiring a visa to enter the UK.
Electronically linked to passports, it will give holders permission to travel to the UK and will cost £10. The ETA will be required for nationals of Qatar from 15 November and will apply to nationals of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates from 22 February 2024. Further nationalities will be added later.
According to Phil Smith, Coaching Manager at CPT, awareness about the scheme among coach operators is currently low, but the trade body is taking steps to rectify this. The Home Office has initiated a series of online workshops throughout the summer which have been endorsed by CPT to bolster operator understanding of the scheme’s impacts and implementation.
Mr Smith reassures operators that disruptions are unlikely. He emphasises the importance of drivers confirming passenger ETA authorisation prior to crossing international borders. ETAs will be acquired in advance, streamlining the process, contrasting with the forthcoming EU Entry/Exit System (EES), which will register travellers from third-countries each time they cross an EU external border. There should be no conflict between the two systems, however, Mr Smith does express concern about the £10 fee associated with the ETA, highlighting it as something that could impact the UK’s attractiveness as a destination for tourists.
CPT is actively offering support to operators during the transition, promising “information, help, and advice” regarding the scheme and compliance.
“As far as CPT is concerned, it’s a new system that the government is bringing in, and coach operators that are involved in inbound tourism need to be aware of it,” he says. “We want to make sure that that happens.
“We want to help our members understand what the implications are, how it will affect their operations – particularly next year – and make sure they know about the online workshops and know that they can join them. We would encourage operators to do so if inbound tourism is something that they’re involved in.”
More information about the ETA scheme can be found on the UK government website.
