Holidaymakers pinning hopes on autumn breaks as bookings surge up to 80 per cent

PA Archive
Leah Sinclair26 April 2021

Travel companies have seen a surge in bookings as holidaymakers switch peak summer breaks for autumn getaways.

Airlines, resorts and tour operators have all experienced an increase in bookings for later in the year, with reservations for autumn up by 80 per cent compared with 2019.

While holidays during the summer remain popular among Britons, experts say that uncertainty around the restart of foreign travel combined with Europe’s vaccination programme are the biggest drivers in the change in booking patterns.

Skyscanner, the world’s biggest flight-booking platform, told The Times that there had been a notable shift in Britons’ travel planning, with more holidaymakers seeking breaks in September, October and November this year than in 2019.

Bosses at Club Med added that October half-term bookings were up by 80 per cent compared with 2019, with increased demand for Bali, Turkey and Sicily.

“September has always been a historically strong month for Europe and the Mediterranean destinations we feature,” Chris Wright, managing director of Sunvil Holidays told the paper.

“This year there is extra pressure.”

Britons are set to be allowed to travel abroad for foreign holidays from May 17 under the Government’s roadmap to easing coronavirus restrictions.

Holidays will be granted through a ‘traffic light’ system and all travellers will have to take numerous Covid-19 tests.

Travellers coming from “green list” countries will not have to quarantine but they will have to take at least three Covid tests – either PCRs or lateral-flows with high sensitivity.

They will have to take one before leaving for the UK - no more than 72 hours before take-off - and two when they get back.

People will be told to take the first test on day two after arriving home and the second on day eight.

The country where they chose to holiday may also require them to take tests.

People travelling from “amber” countries will have to isolate for ten days at home while taking tests before and after travel.

People arriving in the UK from “red list” nations will need to quarantine in a hotel.

Both “red” and “amber” travellers will also need to take three tests.

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