Overnight ban sees holiday firms tout early deals

Incentives offered for early bookings as companies respond to a surge in demand for getaways

HOLIDAY companies have been offering incentives for people to book breaks from as early as today in an apparent breach of lockdown rules.

Despite no definite end to strict social distancing measures, tourism companies have seen a surge in interest in people wanting to get away, and many are offering incentives including small deposits for early bookings.

Hotels.com, one of the biggest accommodation booking sites in Britain, was even offering its registered users extra incentives on bookings for holidays beginning today.

At present, overnight stays in the UK are banned and there is no concrete date for when holiday accommodation will be allowed to reopen.

However, Boris Johnson has said he hopes “to reopen at least some of the hospitality industry and other public places, provided they’re safe and enforce social distancing”, during phase three of the lockdown exit plan, which would begin, at the earliest, on July 4.

Hotels and campsites have started making plans and advertising for when they will be able to receive guests, with many offering promotions.

In an advertisement to customers, Hotels.com wrote: “The UK is packed with history, character and undeniable beauty and now is the perfect time to dream about your next staycation.”

The firm offered a coupon for extra loyalty stamps for stays booked up until yesterday and beginning today.

Booking.com, which is allowing current bookings despite government guidance, also contacted customers inviting them to “plan your weekend” and explore destinations close to home.

“We don’t want your travel dreams to slip away. Just welcome them back, and make your trip flexible,” it said.

However, any booking made since April “may not be entitled to a refund” if the customer did not book on a flexible rate with free cancellation.

Cool Camping, a booking website, said it saw a 500 per cent increase in traffic after the Prime Minister signalled that hospitality companies might open in July. The site, which is not taking bookings until July 4, offers a “coronavirus booking guarantee” with 20pc deposits, late payment of full balance and flexible changes.

However, it warns: “Due to low deposit and late balance payment, no refunds are offered.”

After facing criticism for allowing people to book properties, Airbnb has blocked all automatic bookings until the beginning of next month.

Airlines have also announced they will start resuming flights.

Easyjet said it would resume a number of routes, mainly domestic, from June 15, while Ryanair announced its intention to restart 40 per cent of its flights from July 1.

Michael O’leary, the chief executive of Ryanair, told The Mail on Sunday “We will dump prices to get people moving again. Once we start flying in July, we will sell at whatever price we can to fill as many of those seats as we can.”

Despite the ban on overnight stays, a number of accommodation providers have been caught flouting the rules.

Cornwall council said it received 2,319 complaints between the end of March and May 26, with 78 per cent related to holiday accommodation. Three businesses were issued with formal closure notices and 60 more stopped trading after a written warning.

Hotels.com and Booking.com did not reply to requests for a comment. Both sites warn travellers that they should check government advice on travelling before booking. Hotels.com notes: “Due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, this property can only accept bookings for essential travel or stays.”

‘We will dump prices to get people moving. Once we start flying we will sell at whatever price we can to fill as many of those seats as we can’