A Harrogate travel agent has encouraged people to book holidays for the summer, despite the uncertainty surrounding future coronavirus restrictions.
Holiday travel is currently illegal but operators are allowed to sell flights and packages for summer and beyond.
The UK watchdog, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), says you should usually get your money back if coronavirus restrictions force plans to be cancelled.
Ben Poole, owner of The Travel Journal on Montepellier Mews, says people thinking about booking their holidays for the summer should feel reassured.
He said:
“It’s not illegal to have a holiday to look forward to. I have been telling anybody that has been calling up asking about holidays that they have nothing to lose by booking.
“There are really competitive deals available for June and July, for example, and the worst that will happen is you will get a refund if it’s cancelled”.
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Boris Johnson is due to set out rules for foreign travel later this month.
The travel sector has criticised government ministers for sending mixed messages surrounding holidays.
Yesterday, transport secretary Grant Shapps said people shouldn’t be booking holidays.
Yet this morning health secretary Matt Hancock declined to answer when asked by the BBC if people should book foreign holidays or not.
Mr Poole believes the government should close the borders, which could mean travel agents would be able to receive a package of financial support.
He added:
“The borders should have been closed in March 2020, with no exceptions. The trade is in full support of that.”
