Sun-seekers booking up for holidays abroad
Rutherglen and Cambuslang residents desperate for a change of scenery aren’t letting the coronavirus put them off heading abroad, a local travel agent has revealed.
Holiday breaks to the likes of Spain, Italy and Turkey are being eagerly snapped up by residents desperate for a break after months of being cooped up at home.
And staff at Hays Travel on Rutherglen Main Street believe prices may rise for trips abroad in the coming months.
The travel operator reopened at the end of last month, and worker Gaby Wilson told the Reformer there has been a strong demand for holiday deals.
She said: “We haven’t had many enquiries for British breaks since reopening, what we’re seeing is that the likes of Spain, Turkey and Italy are still proving popular, despite their problems with coronavirus.
“City breaks are also doing well and the European market is still booming.
“I think there’s a lot of people that are thinking that they really need a break after the past few months, and want something to look forward to.
“Now that the list of countries that don’t require quarantine has been rubber-stamped, I expect we’ll receive a lot of bookings for those countries as well.”
Last week First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced more than 50 nations that will form so-called air bridges with airports in Scotland – meaning Scots can travel there and not have to enter a 14-day period of quarantine on their return.
Among those listed were France, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and Poland, although Spain remains subject to restrictions.
The ongoing situation has left Gaby and her colleagues facing a host of questions regarding possible holiday destinations.
She added: “We always refer to the Foreign Office website for more details.
“It’s been hard because there has been so much uncertainty and people have a lot of questions.
“But we have had lots of regulars coming back in to say hello and there’s been a good few folk who took a cash refund back in March who have come in and booked another holiday.
“The business is coming back. There’s a consensus that people are looking forward to holidays again.”
Gaby and her colleagues are observing social distancing regulations, with screens and hand sanitiser in place too.
Unfortunately, Gaby believes one negative aspect is here for the long haul.
She added: “Most airlines already have their capacity reduced for next year and I think we’ll see the prices go up more in the future.
“They’re going to want to make their money back [from having fewer passengers], so if anyone is booking for next year then they should get in early.”