THE head of Barrhead Travel is calling for urgent action from the government to "save 30,000" jobs in the embattled travel sector. 

Jacqueline Dobson, president of the Barrhead-based travel agent called Nicola Sturgeon's plea to avoid travelling over the October break a "body blow" to the industry. 

The Scottish government and Foreign Office guidelines still list a number of popular holiday spots as being open to holidaymakers. 

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Ms Dobson said: "There has been a clear demand for last minute holidays in September and October but this statement has caused real confusion and concern amongst Scottish holidaymakers.

"We have been inundated with calls from customers asking for advice on what they should do – whether to follow the First Minister’s guidance or the Scottish government and Foreign Office’s published rules. This conflict has caused chaos among concerned holidaymakers."

The Barrhead Travel chief noted that a number of popular routes had already been cut dramatically or stopped altogether.

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She added: "We are asking the First Minister, not just on behalf of Barrhead Travel but on behalf of the whole sector, to engage with us today to protect the long-term sustainability of an industry that is a key driver of the Scottish economy. Protecting public health and protecting jobs need not be mutually exclusive.”

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "As the First Minister has made absolutely clear, we do not underestimate the devastating impact this pandemic has had on Scotland’s tourism sector – but we are at a critical point, the virus is rising again, we face the risk of exponential growth and everyone must play their part in stopping its spread in Scotland.

“As part of this, we must limit social interaction and that is why we are asking people not to book travel overseas for the October break if it is not essential – and to think of the October break as an opportunity to help curb the virus’s spread.

“We are doing everything we can with the limited powers available to us to support the travel trade through the current crisis - but it is essential that the UK Government extends the furlough scheme to stop avoidable job losses, and we have made that point repeatedly to the UK Government.

“If they fail to do so then the necessary financial powers should be transferred to Scotland so that we can take the action needed here.”