"Extra costs" putting people off foreign summer holidays, says Cheltenham travel agent
The Government is expected to release a list of 'safe' countries Brits can travel to
A Cheltenham travel agent says "some people won't bother" with summer holidays abroad this year due to a hike in extra costs.
The Government is expected to announce a list of safe countries Brits can travel to imminently.
They will use a traffic light system with countries placed on a green, amber or red list.
Rod Gethin, owner of Worlds Apart Travel in Cheltenham, said:
I"I think the prices are starting to come down a bit but you're still going to be looking at an extra £75 per person.
"And then if you have to have two tests you're looking at £500-600 extra cost on the holiday".
Some airlines have begun offering customers travelling to green-list countries cheap test packages with TUI providing them for around £20.
Others have hit out at the Government for their "illogical" decision to require people who have already been vaccinated to still have a test and say it's making holidays "too expensive".
Rod says he's planning on providing holidays which include the cost of PCR tests for his customers although some people are still nervous about travelling.
He continued:
"There'll be some people who want to travel and will go regardless but there are others who are extremely nervous.
"This is now causing a lot of our customers to cancel their re-boked holidays and are now looking to book into 2022.
"Although the shop is open there's been virtually no interest since we re-opened part time apart from a few vague enquiries for UK breaks. People just don't seem to be bothering".