Surge in demand for amber list holidays
Bookings to amber list destinations have soared following the government’s announcement that fully vaccinated passengers need not quarantine upon their return.
Skyscanner said website traffic for amber destinations increased 53% just minutes after the announcement while Thomas Cook said web traffic doubled and searches specifically for Greece have tripled in volume.
Thomas Cook said it ‘expects a flood of bookings over the weekend.’
"It’s clear that people are aching to be able to travel again within the guidelines, as evidenced by the immediate uptick in searches and bookings we’ve witnessed," said Martin Nolan, from Skyscanner.
"This is a huge moment for the UK travel industry, who have been waiting for measures that will truly help to kickstart travel."
In the government announcement under-18s are exempted from the quarantine requirement when it comes into effect on July 19.
EasyJet said flight bookings and holiday packages spiked by more than 440%.
The surge in interest is stoking fears of surging holiday prices while the government has warned of long airport queues.
"Before you board a plane you would need to show you have completed your passenger locator form, that you have carried out a pre-departure test, that you have got your test booked for day two and all of that needs to be checked by the carrier – the airline usually – before you travel," Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told BBC News.
"So expect queues in the airport you are coming from. Once you get back to the UK all of that is starting to be automated. People should expect more disruption than usual but I know that everyone is working very hard to minimise those queues."
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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