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Travel companies are reporting a huge jump in bookings following the latest travel announcement, which will see the much-maligned traffic light system scrapped.
Skyscanner reported a 103 per cent increase in bookings on Friday, when Transport Secretary Grant Shapps revealed the changes, compared to the previous week, and a spokesman said that they were “continuing to see the numbers go up throughout the weekend.”
Martin Nolan, Skyscanner’s traveller expert said: “It’s clear from our most recent booking figures that travellers are delighted with the latest travel news, not just for holidays and leisure travel, but also for those who will now be able to be reunited with loved ones abroad.”
TravelSupermaket reported similar trends, with demand for late summer trips to European hotspots – Spain, Greece, Cyprus and Portugal – among the most popular. Turkey, which will be removed from the red list on Wednesday, has leapt to become the website’s second-most searched for destination.
The firm cited the change in testing requirements, and subsequent savings, as another factor in demand for holidays.
Elsewhere Thomas Cook reported a 200 per cent rise in half term bookings following the announcement, with chief executive Alan French expecting it to increase further. Jet2.com and Jet2holidays said they have seen “an immediate and massive surge in bookings”.
Scroll down for the latest news as it happens.
Latest advice: Travel to the US
On the topic of the United States, our destination experts have the latest travel information and advice.
A ban on non-essential travel from Europe to the US makes it very difficult to cross the pond right now – but could this change soon?
Read more: Travel to the US: When the UK ban could lift, and latest Covid restrictions
Boris Johnson: ‘Lift travel ban and let Britons back into America’
Boris Johnson will push Joe Biden to change Covid-19 travel rules and let Britons fly to America when they meet on Tuesday in the White House for the first time.
The Prime Minister will make an “impassioned” case for why the US President should lift his travel ban by allowing fully vaccinated people in the UK to travel directly into America.
Credit:
Stefan Rousseau/PA
Mr Biden’s failure to ease restrictions – despite both leaders pledging to take action when they met at the G7 summit in June – has frustrated Whitehall and left UK businesses despairing.
The Prime Minister flew to New York on Sunday, kick-starting a four-day US visit where he will attend the UN General Assembly before his first White House trip since entering Number 10 in July 2019.
Read more: Boris Johnson to tell Joe Biden: ‘Lift travel ban and let Britons back into America’
How to holiday in Turkey
No other Mediterranean destination offers the visitor as much variety as Turkey, writes our destination expert Terry Richardson. And with the country due to officially come off the red list this week, now’s the time to book a holiday.
Such a remarkably diverse topography, climate and flora and fauna means Turkey offers every kind of holiday experience you could wish for – with warm temperatures well into October. To relax, lounge by the beach or pool at an all-inclusive near Mediterranean Antalya, or cruise the beautiful Turquoise Coast aboard a traditional wooden sailing boat (gulet).
Feeling more active? The Turquoise Coast and its hinterland is perfect for kayaking, scuba-diving, canyoning, mountain-biking and hiking the waymarked Carian and Lycian trails. Accommodation ranges from simple, family-run pensions in places like Dalyan, Kaş and Patara to luxurious hotels in chic Bodrum and golfer’s favourite, Belek – and everything in between, so there’s something for every budget.
Read more: Turkey is finally off the red list – here are the best holidays on offer
Credit:
Getty
Jet2 see ‘phenomenal’ reaction to travel announcement
Jet2.com and Jet2holidays have reported a 250 per cent rise in booking following the Government’s travel announcement last week that saw plans for the ‘traffic light’ system to be dropped, double-jabbed travellers from ‘safe’ countries no longer forced to take any sort of test before they get on a flight home from overseas, and, from later in October, only a lateral flow on their second day back in the UK – rather than a costly PCR test.
Chief executive Steve Heapy said:
There has been a phenomenal reaction from customers since yesterday’s announcement with bookings spiking by more than 250 per cent. People are clearly desperate to get away for some summer sun, as the demand for holidays in the next few weeks has been huge.
Turkey is proving “exceptionally popular”, he added, and half term dates “have also seen a surge in bookings for families.”
Good morning
Welcome to our live coverage of the latest travel news. Here’s a reminder of the top stories from the end of last week:
- Eight countries will move off the red list on September 22
- Pre-departure tests for return to England will be scrapped for fully vaccinated (from Oct 4)
- Day 2 tests will be replaced with lateral flow tests for double jabbed (later in Oct)
- Traffic light system will be replaced with single red list from Oct 4
- Rules for the ‘rest of the world’ will be determined by a traveller’s vaccination status
Follow us here throughout the day for travel news as it happens.