Jet2holidays and Jet2.com has reported an “immediate surge” in bookings to Greece and Cyprus on the back of news that holidaymakers will be welcomed to the Mediterranean destinations this summer.
Bookings to Cyprus with the package holiday specialist and its sister airline jumped by 200% after the country’s deputy minister of tourism said British nationals who have been vaccinated will be allowed to visit this summer.
And a spike in bookings to Greece followed comments at ITB Berlin yesterday by Greek tourism minister Harry Theoharis, who said visitors are welcome if they have been vaccinated, have antibodies or have tested negative for coronavirus.
Jet2 plans to fly to 14 destinations in Greece this summer and recently added more flights and holidays to Zante, Crete (Heraklion), Rhodes and Kefalonia, extending the summer 2021 season to November on the back of demand.
Flights and package holidays to Larnaca and Paphos in Cyprus are also planned for this year.
The UK government’s Global Travel Taskforce is looking into when international travel may be able to resume after Covid. The earliest possible return date is May 17, and Jet.com and Jet2holidays have suspended flights and holidays up to and including May 16.
Chief executive Steve Heapy said: “The UK is the most advanced country in Europe when it comes to successfully rolling out a vaccine, so we applaud the Greek and Cypriot governments for their forward-thinking decisions.
“This, on the back of the recent announcement by the UK government, gives customers great confidence that they can get away to enjoy the sunshine this summer and the numbers show that this confidence is increasing all the time.
“We are very pleased that the government has shown a clear ambition to reopen international travel in the coming months, and we look forward to more detail in due course.”
Tour operator Sovereign Luxury Travel also reported a spike in sales to Cyprus, with enquiries up 50% on the previous week.
Marketing director Erin Johnson said: “Cyprus has always been a favourite for our customers and so it’s really encouraging to see this uptick in enquiries from people desperate to get away this summer.
“We are predominantly seeing bookings from couples for July 2021 onwards and for upgraded rooms and suites. Customers are prepared to spend more on their holidays this year to make it one to remember.”