THE HOLIDAY business is said to be taking off once again with the industry experiencing a "big surge" in bookings since Covid testing rules were relaxed.
Fully vaccinated passengers now no longer need a pre-departure Covid test before travelling to the UK - instead taking a lateral flow (LFT) or PCR test within 48 hours of arrival and subsequently following regular isolation rules if you test positive.
Both vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers must complete a passenger locator form before arriving back in the country, although those not yet fully vaccinated (two doses) must still take a LFT or a PCR test in the 48 hours before arrival.
The government have said that the changes are possible because the Omicron variant is now "widespread and worldwide".
Don Bircham, managing director at Hays Travel North West, said that the announcement had "opened the floodgates" to meet the pent up demand for summer holidays in the sun.
With those fully vaccinated and desperate to travel now able to book holidays with more confidence, Mr Bircham added that this was the "best news the [travel] industry had had in a long time".
After months of on-and-off uncertainty regarding holidays, the boost in sales has also been experienced by other travel operators such as Easy Jet and Jet2 - who said demand had returned to "around pre-Covid levels".
Mr Bircham said: “The first part of January was very slow but there has been a massive surge in bookings after the news from the UK Government that travel restrictions were being eased.
“In normal times this is our busiest period because of the January blues after Christmas, so the next fix is to get that summer holiday booked and have something to look forward to.
“With the announcement about the easing of the testing rules, we’re really optimistic that there are better times ahead. It’s given people a lot more confidence to start booking their holidays [and] there is a huge pent up demand from people who are fed up to the back teeth and desperate for a break somewhere warm."
With Greece, Turkey, Spain and the Canary Islands some of the most popular destinations so far - along with more exotic "bucket list" destinations also being ticked off - Mr Bircham encouraged residents eager to get a holiday in the sun to book with confidence.
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