TRAVEL operators reported their busiest day this year as holidaymakers snapped up breaks to destinations such as Egypt yesterday.
Some told of “phenomenal” bookings as the Covid amber list and expensive PCR tests were scrapped.
2
2
Friday’s relaxation of restrictions for double-jabbed travellers has boosted interest in trips to former red list destinations.
TravelSupermarket said online searches for Egypt rose by 1,170 per cent over the last 24 hours compared with Thursday.
Searches for Turkey leapt by 370 per cent and family breaks to the Canaries, Majorca and Greece also rocketed.
Paul Charles, of travel consultancy PC Agency, said: “This is take-off for the industry. With the removal of key countries from the red list — like Kenya, Egypt and the Maldives — there will be very strong sales.”
Thomas Cook said October half-term bookings were up by more than 200 per cent on last month.
Jet2’s bookings for flights and holidays soared by 250 per cent.
Skyscanner said some airlines were offering bumper deals. An adult return flight to Italy next month was on sale for £9. And return trips to Croatia, Spain or Portugal, also next month, were £10.
It came as UK airports saw a surge in passenger numbers yesterday, with long queues at Heathrow.
Meanwhile, people flying to the eight countries being removed from the red list can already take advantage of the rule changes.
They will swerve ten days’ quarantine as long as they don’t return home before 4am on Wednesday, when the changes kick in.
