Agents have called for Covid tests in resort prior to return to the UK to be scrapped, describing them as the ‘biggest barrier’ to current sales.
High-street agents say they have lost countless bookings because clients fear they will return a positive Covid test on holiday and be forced to quarantine in resort or at a “government hotel”.
C the World director Carolyn Park said customers were continually raising the issue of testing overseas and using this as a reason to cancel.
“We have just had someone cancel for St Lucia because they are worried about testing positive overseas and having the quarantine before they come back; another has bailed for Egypt for the same reason,” she said.
She called for the testing requirements to be relaxed. “No-one wants to test positive overseas and be carted off to a government quarantine hotel. It’s an absolute barrier at the moment,” she added.
Millington Travel owner Nigel Armitage joined the plea for Covid testing to be “reduced” or dropped while Spear Travels chairman Peter Cookson agreed this would make “a massive difference” to sales.
Niall Douglas, managing director, Full Circle Travel, said: “People are afraid of testing positive while they are away and being stuck in the destination. If one of you tests positive then the whole family [you are travelling with] has to quarantine. The quarantine hotels are a big barrier to travel.”
He also believes the scheme to be flawed as tests have to be taken within 72 hours of departure, allowing holidaymakers to spend time with other people after their test but before they fly home.
“It’s three days before you travel back so it’s farcical,” he said.
Deben Travel owner Lee Hunt agreed: “What is the point of it? If you have the test 72 hours before and then go out clubbing in resort before you fly home, it makes no sense.”
He said the issue was proving the “greatest concern” among clients who had yet to book. “It’s putting people off the most,” he said. “It’s a real worry if they test positive. Different countries have different rules, some you stay in your hotel, in others you go to a government facility. Some insurance companies will cover you, some won’t.”