Escorted tours specialist Newmarket Holidays has started running trips again for the first time since September 2020.
The operator features an extensive UK and Ireland programme and successfully ran tours last September between lockdowns.
After consulting customers about safety measures, those booking this year’s tours have been asked to have had at least one Covid-19 vaccination three weeks before departure, in addition to precautions advised by the government and health agencies.
The first departure was Scottish Highland Railways, which was escorted by a company tour guide along with senior product manager, Joanna Roberts (pictured).
She said: “Above all our customers need to feel confident travelling again, and we’ve been working tirelessly behind the scenes to safely get tours up and running again, ensuring that each and every component of our tours are operating in a Covid-friendly way.
“Scotland’s approach to Covid-safety regulations was really impressive.
“The hotels, coach company, train operators and attractions visited were all working extremely hard to ensure the safety of our groups.
“Customers were so happy to be away and getting a change of scenery.”
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Amy Drummond, the company’s BDM for Scotland and Northern Ireland, joined the Belfast & The Titanic Experience which also departed in early June.
Further tours for June and July are planned to the Isle of Man, Jersey, Hebrides and Liverpool.
Richard Forde, head of trade sales, said: “Life in the travel industry over the last 15 months has been challenging for us all, so to start operating holidays and earning commission and revenue for agents has been a real boost and we hope this is the start for us all to bouncing back, even if just domestically for now.
“We would like to thank agents for their continued support throughout.”
Newmarket has availability for tours departing in 2021 across the UK and Ireland and is currently offering 10% off all holidays to these destinations.