While foreign travel is on hold, the delay is leading people to consider new destinations for the future.
Barrhead Travel president, Jacqueline Dobson, said customers having to cancel this summer’s getaways are rebooking for winter or summer 2021.
“When more detailed guidance is provided we may see a last-minute surge for getaways for late summer – firstly, for travel in the UK and then overseas as airlines and tour operators begin to restart their schedules.
“The top destinations selling for 2021 are similar to what we were selling at the beginning of the year, with Orlando, Alicante, Turkey and the Caribbean taking the top spots.
“We have also noticed an increase in experiential trips and bucket-list holidays such as South Africa, Mauritius and Australia.
“It seems many people are starting in-depth planning for the destinations they have always wanted to visit.”
The future for older holidaymakers who can’t venture far, however, is uncertain.
Kevin Miller, owner of Eclipse Breaks, says coronavirus has brought the coach holiday industry to a standstill and led to many competitors, including David Urquhart Travel and Caledonian Travel, having to cease trading.
“Coach hire companies are having a particularly hard time as they seem to not fit into any of the brackets for government grants,” he said.
“A big hurdle could be will the number of people allowed on a coach under social distancing be enough to make it worthwhile?
“I think we can have a bright future after this year but really we need to see the end of social distancing before the 2021 holiday season starts, the over 70s to regain their confidence to travel and we need the coach hire companies and hotels to still be in business.
“One thing for sure is if we can get through Covid-19 we will all need a holiday!”
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