A letter from our Travel Editor...

Dear reader,

WE’VE all been guilty of taking travel for granted. Never has jetting off somewhere been so easy, with many of us enjoying two or more holidays a year. Until now, that is.

We may have complained about airport security and queuing to board a no-frills plane destined for sunnier climes — but that’s nothing compared with the misery caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Parts of the world are out of bounds; flights have been cancelled; cruise ships are moored up in docks; ski resorts are closed — and many holiday companies are in danger of collapsing.

Tourism has become a major driver of the world economy, with some countries almost completely dependent on it. We in Britain are not quite in that situation but more than 41million people visit our country each year, staying in hotels and B&Bs, visiting historic sites, eating in restaurants. We know how a downturn in numbers will put businesses at risk.

The British have long been great travellers, anxious to expand our horizons, experience different cultures, soak up the sunshine. We take holidays seriously, with the UK cruise industry alone worth nearly £9 billion.

So the effect of the coronavirus outbreak is a shock to the system. But we will come through it and when we do our globe-trotting will feel all the sweeter.

Some of us will continue to venture abroad during this period of uncertainty and, as we show this week, there are plenty of bargains about. The rest of us should begin planning where to go and what to see later in the year.

What’s more, staying here and getting to know our own country better has seldom been more tempting. The ‘staycation’ offers a chance to enjoy simple pleasures.

Nothing quite compares with the joy of the British seaside in all its eccentric timelessness. Or our countryside; our churches; our museums; our centuries-old cities. Life goes on. Travel must go on. Today, and in the weeks ahead, we at Escape will do all we can to offer the best advice and inspiration for your holidays.

For the latest information about travel overseas, visit gov.uk. And don’t miss our Q&A at thisismoney. co.uk/corona-travel