The UK trade expects more family bookings to Spain, thanks to the Spanish government relaxing travel rules for UK teenagers – but criticised the timing of the announcement, on the day many British schools break up for half-term.
The Spanish government will drop its vaccination requirement for children aged 12 to 17 from Monday (February 14) so unvaccinated teens can enter the country if they present a negative PCR result.
Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of the Advantage Travel Partnership, hailed the change, saying it was a step in the right direction – but commented that the Spanish authorities “do need to go further”.
She added: “It really is the worst timing ever given half-term is upon us and many thousands of families had no choice but to cancel their planned holidays to Spain, choosing instead to opt for destinations that didn’t ban their children from entering.”
Brian Young, EMEA managing director of G Adventures, said on Twitter: “All a bit too late now @Spain to change your minds on over 12s having to be vaccinated. Countless people have had to change their plans for next week.
“And the damage done is done now to the benefit of other destinations. All so pointless and not needed with some thought.”
**SPAIN FINALLY ** With effect from midnight 14th February, Spain will allow UK children 12 – 17 yrs who are unvaccinated to enter with a negative PCR taken in the 72 hours prior to the date of the trip #travel
Step in the right direction but they do need to go further.— Julia Lo Bue-Said (@jlo_said) February 11, 2022
An Abta spokesperson welcomed the change, saying it will mean “more and more families” will be able to enjoy a break in one of the UK’s most popular overseas holiday destinations.
“With two thirds of families saying their holidays are more important to them now than before the pandemic, the latest changes should give more people confidence to book their much-missed foreign holiday and many are expected to enlist the help of a travel agent or tour operator to do so,” said the spokesperson.
Abta research found families with children under 16 are 50% more likely to book with a travel professional now than before the pandemic, compared with 30% more likely for the population as a whole.
Furthermore, Spain tops Abta’s poll of the 10 destinations people are keen to visit this year.
Steve Heapy, chief executive of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, commented: “We are pleased to see the Spanish government taking positive action to welcome more arrivals from the UK and we know that this will lead to an increase in bookings.
“As the UK’s leading tour operator to the Canary Islands and Balearic Islands, with a huge programme also on sale to mainland Spain, we are already seeing strong demand and this will boost that even further.”
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