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Well, well. What an eventful few days it has been for the travel industry and for the first time in 18 months it's all positive news?!
It finally feels like our freedom is in sight and the world is slowly, but surely, opening up with fewer complications of recent months.
Never have we been so glad to see the back of the colour amber and America has now been reinstated as the land of many dreams #freebritney
The recent positive news has certainly boosted consumer confidence with many travellers now enquiring and booking last minute getaways, October half-term family holidays, and long awaited bucket-list trips for 2022 and beyond.
Last Saturday was our first 'officially open' Saturday in the agency since the 2021 lockdown began and it was so lovely to see and hear from so many clients old and new.
Going forward and to meet demand we will be continuing our 6 day operation at our lovely agency in the Montpellier Mews and we look forward to dealing with you either in person or indeed via phone or email.
So, what have we learnt in the past few days? Outbound PCR testing, as previously predicted by The Travel Journal, will be here to stay and dependent on each individual country/ airline/ cruise company etc in line with their own policies and laws, this is regardless of our own UK GOV policy. The requirement for 'test to travel' is something that has not been clearly reported in many of the recent news articles since last Thursday's announcement, but worry not, The Travel Journal will continue to offer this service in our agency and are more than happy to advise and offer clarity should you need our help and guidance with the ever changing requirement of testing!
Prices are indeed rocketing. Low season times of travel outside of school holidays are also seeing dramatic increases with costs escalating in line with the surge in supply and demand. Availability for school holidays is now extremely limited with popular ski week's now virtually sold out and premium class travel no longer an option for many worldwide destinations for peak dates such as February half term and Easter.
Since the announcement on the re-opening of travel to the States availability is already taking a massive hit with summer 2022 the firm favourite now with families looking to finally complete that road trip or holiday to Disney World they have been planning and holding out for for the past 18 months!
There certainly hasn't been a better time to plan and book that holiday you all deserve, whether it be an imminent departure or a special occasion trip you have been dreaming about during the numerous lockdowns - it's finally time to dust off those passports and get travelling again!