Travel firms have reported a mixed sales picture following the resumption of international travel but said rising consumer confidence was behind a shift in demand from 2022 to later this year.
Advantage Travel Partnership said around 70% of members’ sales were for 2022 prior to the green list announcement. Last week, however, almost 60% of bookings were for holidays this year.
Leisure director Kelly Cookes said: “We saw an initial boost in sales once the list was announced and Portugal and Madeira continue to sell well. We are also seeing consumer confidence grow for later in the summer and enquiries continue to increase, which is positive.”
The consortium is not actively promoting amber destinations but giving guidance to agents whose clients want to book.
More: UK and US urged to reopen transatlantic travel corridor
Tui plans to reopen holidays to key peak summer destinations
UK hotels, attractions and tours: what’s the latest?
“Some members are [booking amber destinations] but more so for July onwards and others have chosen not to at this stage – most are being led by the customer,” she added.
Miles Morgan Travel enjoyed its strongest sales in 14 months during the last two weeks. Chairman Miles Morgan predicted a gradual increase in green destinations, boosted by clients’ posts on social media, would “cause optimism and confidence to build” this summer. “I am upbeat, a slow [restart] is a winner for me,” he said.
Haslemere Travel owner Gemma Antrobus said a last-minute sales rush was likely as countries turned green, adding: “We just need happy, smiling customers to come back telling people on Facebook they’ve had a great time.”
Many agents said current sales remained sluggish due to the short green list.
Polka Dot Travel director Mark Johnson said: “Price is no issue, [but] bookings are still slow and the market is still flat”. But he added: “I am still hopeful of a strong summer from July onwards.”
Bailey’s Travel managing director Chris Bailey said: “Business is still pretty stagnant. One country does not make a summer.”
Spear Travels chairman Peter Cookson agreed: “There are some sales to Portugal but minimal.”
He said “confusion rules” as a result of the difference between travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Department for Transport, adding: “We are not promoting amber countries but note that Tui is sending a strong signal to (transport secretary) Shapps.”
The complexity and confusion on testing and insurance requirements has encouraged customers to book with agents, however.
Johnson said: “It is a minefield but that’s why customers need to book through a travel agent, the government has to make it easier to travel, this will happen in due course.”
Cookes said the worry was that the complexity of requirements could hit consumer confidence. “My concern is more around where people haven’t booked through an agent and don’t have a smooth trip and what reports of this would do for customer confidence,” she said.
More: UK and US urged to reopen transatlantic travel corridor
Tui plans to reopen holidays to key peak summer destinations