Operators offering Caribbean holidays are seeing a “shift in consumer confidence”, with more autumn 2021 enquiries, thanks to the government’s roadmap out of lockdown.
The Caribbean tourism Organisation said the region is preparing for a “strong UK bounce back” following the prime minister’s announcement on Monday that international travel could resume from May 17.
Operators report “strong interest and bookings from holidaymakers, keen to return to their favourite destinations”, said the CTO’s UK and Europe chapter.
Most bookings had been for wintersun 2021-22 holidays but members of the chapter have seen “an immediate shifting of enquiries to include October and September 2021”.
Carol Hay (pictured), business development director of the CTO’s UK & Europe chapter, said: “In line with the whole of the travel industry, we are encouraged by the shift in consumer confidence.
“The Caribbean, as a region, has managed the pandemic well and has robust protocols in place; has vaccination programmes underway and tour operator and hotel partners have incredibly flexible booking policies in place to offer reassurance to consumers.
“Whilst we can’t pre-empt what will happen, it does seem that for families, in particular, the Caribbean in the summer holidays or October half-term in the Caribbean is looking a good bet.”