EASYJET Holidays are already selling package deals for summer 2021 – despite the current advice warning against non-essential travel “indefinitely”.
The tour operator has launched their holiday options to destinations including Greece and the Canary Islands.
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Despite the current travel advice, they have launched the deals earlier than usual so that “customers with existing bookings can now amend their holidays to later in the year or next year”.
Winter holidays for 2020/21 are also now available on the website, with trips up until October 2021 on sale.
Trips include seven nights in Portugal next May for £262 per person, or a week in Kos for £166 per person, with deposits of just £60.
Paul Bixby, Strategy and Sourcing Director at easyJet holidays said that they knew it was “uncertain times” but hoped it would “inspire future trips”.
He added: “We’ve put our winter 20/21 and summer 21 holidays on sale early in the hope of also being able to inspire future trips and also support our existing customers where we can.”
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He also confirmed that holidays are ATOL protected, meaning customers will receive a full refund if they don’t go ahead.
The airline has already launched cheap flights to Europe this winter starting from £30.
EasyJet aren’t the only ones to be offering holidays already – Jet2 have launched cheap flights for next summer from £47 per person.
They have also launched a range of package holidays, which require a £60 deposit and the balance to be paid at a later date.
The previous travel warning from the government was extended to April 15, giving hope to some travellers about their summer holidays.
However, they have since upgraded their advice, warning: “The Foreign Office indefinitely advises against all non-essential global travel.”
It also follows warnings from Benidorm’s British Businesses Association president Karen Maling about when to expect holidays to Spain again.
She told Sun Online: “I don’t personally think that we’re going to start recovering from this until June or July and even that’s maybe early.
“But British tourism I don’t see happening until September. Because the UK is still so far behind Spain and until you have it contained, people won’t be allowed to come and have their week in Benidorm.”
British holidaymakers have faced other problems too – with tour operators failing to issue refunds for their trips cancelled by coronavirus.
A number of travel agents are only offering credit notes, or will only give refunds when the pandemic is over.
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Travel experts haven’t advised against booking holidays in the future, with many offering trips this winter.
Colum McLornan, MD of singles holiday specialist Friendship Travel told Sun Online Travel that his clients who have had their holidays affected are already asking about travelling from September onwards.
He said: “I know as soon as restrictions lift, there’s going to be pent-up demand for flight seats so while our team is dealing with anxious guests right now, I’m also getting Christmas on sale in the next few days, and 2021 trips as soon as possible.”
Seamus McCauley at Holiday Extras agreed that booking in the future isn’t advised against, thanks to new flexible change policies.
EasyJet are allowing all passengers to change their flights for free due to coronavirus.
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