Travel Counsellors has reporting its second highest booking week of the financial year, as the government announced the latest relaxation on testing requirements.
PCR tests are being replaced by cheaper lateral flow testing from October 24, making it easier and more affordable for people to travel.
Travel Counsellors’ new bookings are currently running at comparable levels to 2019 in the UK, with half-term bookings recovering strongly over recent weeks.
Ireland is also showing a particularly positive rebound with booking volumes now overtaking the levels at the same time of year in 2019.
Spain is the most popular destination for British holidaymakers, accounting for 16% percent of all half-term bookings.
Winter bookings for the US, Caribbean and UAE are also strong.
Looking further ahead to Easter, the US continues to dominate, with the Maldives being increasingly popular.
These are followed by many other long-haul destinations as restrictions ease and customers desire to go-further-afield for experiential and bucket-list travel increases.
Travel Counsellors global sales director Jim Eastwood said: “Yesterday’s announcement, that lateral flow testing will now replace PCR testing for vaccinated travellers returning from non-red countries, is another extremely positive step for the travel industry.
“By removing the need for PCR testing in favour of lower cost lateral flow tests, customers can travel even more easily, for both business and leisure.
“As we welcome this significant change to testing, we are already seeing a surge of bookings to long-haul destinations such as the USA, Caribbean and the Maldives, and today’s news will provide further reassurance to travellers.
“However, due to differing entry requirements for individual countries, leisure customers and corporate clients continue to benefit from the support of a trusted travel advisor.”