Both agents and operators have seen a surge in interest for the US, which is due to reopen to UK leisure travellers in early November, although some clients are holding off from booking until a date is announced.
While Kuoni said the Maldives has been “flying” for winter sales since the UK government took the destination off the red list in September. This news has given everybody at the operator a “real boost”. Mauritius has also been “doing well” as it fully reopened to international tourists on 1 October.
Jim Eastwood, global sales director at Travel Counsellors, also hailed the “resurgence of long haul” with the Maldives and United Arab Emirates among its top sellers.
“The announcement about US entry restrictions easing resulted in an immediate surge in bookings for leisure customers and corporate clients for November onwards,” added Eastwood. “The top three selling US destinations are Orlando, New York and Las Vegas.”
Stuart Lee, director of US specialist Mainstreet Travel Group, added the “phones went crazy” after the initial announcement by the Biden administration. He said there had been enquiries for New York and Orlando for next summer, but not as many late sales because of the lack of firm date from the US administration.
America As You Like It managing director Maggi Smit agreed: “We are definitely busier, instead of cancelling bookings we are doing quotes. The phones aren’t ringing off the hook – if we had a date, it would be a lot busier.”
Dublin-based Tour America has also been “really, really busy” since the US announcement last month. Product manager Liz Wright said Orlando, Las Vegas and New York have been top sellers. Although she added there were some concerns about whether the AstraZeneca vaccine would be accepted by US authorities.
“We’re getting people asking us and we just don’t know. We were hoping for more information by now, but Canada is accepting it so hopefully the US will,” she added.
Half-term ’very good’
Luxury operator If Only said it had seen destinations such as the Maldives, Dubai and the Caribbean “bounce back quickly” for departures during the next few months.
“These destinations continue to be our strongest sellers, especially for the late market where clients are relying on us to be able to confidently advise what is required in terms of protocols, testing etc,” said general manager Gordon McCreadie.
The Caribbean has already benefited from key destinations such as Barbados and Antigua being open to Britons for a longer period than other long-haul options.
Paul Cleary, managing director of Caribtours, said: “We have seen things picking up for travel from October onwards and it’s been strong for a while. Half-term is looking very good.
“There’s a lot of demand but not a lot of availability for October, November and December. People feel the barriers to travel are finally coming down.”
