Holidays on hold amid jab delay

AT THIS time of year, many may be dreaming of some winter sun. But holidaymakers are having to put their hopes on hold – with many shunning bookings until the Covid-19 vaccine becomes more widespread.

The Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) said holiday bookings have been ‘minimal’ this year, due to coronavirus fears and the slow vaccine roll-out.

It added that higher levels of vaccinations are needed before a safe return to international travel becomes viable.

Another travel industry expert agreed that holidaymakers are ‘apprehensive to proceed with bookings’ at the moment, but added that April will be the new January for holiday purchases.

The downbeat assessments come in stark contrast to that of Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary, who said last week that the airline was taking ‘significant bookings’ for summer.

‘There is a huge upward spike at the end of the third wave,’ he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

However, ITAA boss Pat Dawson said that although there had been ‘a trickle of bookings’ from September, he didn’t expect business to really take off until the vaccine is widely available.

He said: ‘We expect that bookings won’t really kick off until greater numbers of the population have received the vaccine, and a quicker vaccine roll-out would enable a safe return to travel in time for summer 2021.’ He added: ‘Younger people probably won’t receive the vaccine until sometime in late summer, which has certainly had an effect on bookings.’

Mr Dawson also urged people to book with Irish-based travel agents, and to carefully read all terms and conditions before making a booking.

‘This is still a fluid situation, with guidelines changing on a daily basis from country to country,’ he said.

‘If you are unsure about anything, contact your ITAA member travel agent who will assist you with any queries you may have.’