Lockdown threat throws half-term holidays into chaos

HOLIDAYMAKERS are scrambling to cancel or postpone their half-term trips over fears of a circuit-break lockdown, say hoteliers and travel agents.

Hotels could be forced to close in the event of another lockdown and uncertainty surrounding the new “tier” system has led many to consider making changes to their long-awaited holiday.

Tiina Carr, of Sheffield hotel Brocco on the Park, said she had a “mad day” with people phoning to cancel, while travel agents said families were postponing trips abroad until Easter.

Other industry figures said bookings for October half-term were so sparse because of the quarantine rules that there were not many to cancel in the first place. Brittany Ferries said its bookings for October half-term were at 10 per cent of normal levels.

Ms Carr said: “Our demand for halfterm is around 30 per cent but I expect more cancellations when people receive their seven-day reminder.”

A spokesman for Abercrombie & Kent and Cox & Kings said people were moving their half-term breaks to 2021.

“People are determined to still get away if and when they can. This is why we’re being as flexible as possible with our booking conditions,” he added. Others hoping for a last-minute rush to save the season have begun to give up hope.

Kicki Smith, of World Luxury Travel, said: “I was holding on to the hope that I might be getting a late rush, a lot of people were contacting me and saying ‘I just want to hold on a little bit and see what the situation is’.

“Now that rush is probably not going to happen.”

Tom Hughes, of Clickstay holiday rentals, said: “The UK was busy for staycations but a week ago the demand dropped off because of the changing rules.”

However, luxury travel firm Little Emperors said it had a 50 per cent increase in bookings in the past two weeks and that there were still travellers keen to gamble on a last-minute break. Around 90 per cent of its recent bookings were for same or next-day departure.

Gemma Antrobus of Haslemere Travel, said there was still a dedicated group of travellers keen to get on a plane.

She said: “My clients in their 80s are the ones that are saying ‘I don’t want to be locked down anymore, where can I go’?

“They have lived lives that have thrown much tougher things than this at them and they are saying they might not have many holidays left.”