The trade has been urged to “show willing” and have the confidence to make bookings for May 17 onwards to help the industry get back on its feet.
Noel Josephides, a director at the Specialist Travel Association (Aito), admitted it was “a worry” if agents were “holding back from booking” and warned it could affect capacity.
Many agents have been taking a cautious approach to sales since the prime minister revealed his roadmap plans amid concerns about whether travel would go ahead from the first possible date, May 17. Some agents are not selling early summer departures at all.
But Josephides stressed: “We have no reason to believe we cannot start [from May 17]. It’s OK to book. We [the industry] wanted a roadmap and we got it. It would be remiss not to make use of it.
“If we don’t show we are willing, and have the confidence to start booking from May 17, it would be very disappointing. We have been given a date and should act on it. We should look on the bright side and not worry that it will not go ahead.”
Josephides, who is also chairman of tour operator Sunvil, said his own company was encouraging agents to make bookings from May 17, and said doing so could have a “snowball effect” on confidence.
“If bookings come your way, take them,” he said, noting: “If [clients] book a protected package they can get their money back.”
Ex-Abta chairman Josephides also warned that not taking bookings for late May and June could impact flight and accommodation capacity.
“Bookings made now determine what flights will go and which won’t, and what hotels will open,” he said.
“If everyone waits until a week before May 17, then it’s too late – capacity will have been set.”