Almost all of coach operator Grand UK Holidays’ customers do not feel it is currently safe to travel abroad this year.
A poll by the escorted tours specialist found 90% of its mature travellers voiced the opinion about overseas trips in 2021.
And more than half (53%) said they still would not feel safe travelling abroad in 2022.
The company is hoping for a bounce-back with domestic holidays being allowed from May 17 with the reopening of hotels and hospitality venues in England as part of the government roadmap towards a further easing of Covid restrictions from June 21.
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Sally Hubble-Button, sales and marketing manager at the Norwich-based Abta operator, said: “in a recent survey we conducted, the majority of our customers told us that they would feel more confident holidaying in the UK than going further afield, given the current global climate.
“Grand UK Holidays specialises in escorted coach holidays for the mature traveller, and whilst our customers have expressed their desire to finally be able to take a holiday, the majority want to keep within the British Isles.”
She added: “Recently we have seen an increase in bookings, with 52% of those surveyed already having booked at least one holiday with us departing in 2021.
“It’s been a difficult year for everyone, and I think we are craving some normality and to be allowed to do the things we love again, such as go on holiday. The demand is clearly there as our bookings demonstrate, and our customers are looking forward to getting away as soon as they can, as long as they can do so within the UK.
“We’ve been working tirelessly behind the scenes creating an amazing collection of UK escorted coach holidays and we can’t wait for our brand new brochure to land in a couple of weeks, packed to the brim with exciting new holidays.
“It’s been really positive these last few weeks, seeing familiar faces slowly coming back into the office to make sure we are ready to go as of May 17.”
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