NEWS
Greece has removed the need for pre-tests for vaccinated travellers
Morocco this week opened to vaccinated travellers
Industry’s recovery gathers pace as trade expects busy half-term
Ian Taylor
The industry seemed nearer to normality this week than at any time since March 2020 with vaccinated arrivals to the UK no longer needing Covid-19 tests from Friday and a busy half-term in prospect. Tui Group chief executive
Fritz Joussen hailed the growing recovery as he reported “bookings last week at 100% of pre-crisis levels” and the UK now Tui’s “front-runner for bookings”. Joussen said: “More and more
Speaking as Tui reported a STORY TOP
€274 million loss for the three months to December, Joussen said: “Our booking position is very strong in almost all countries. [But] the UK is the only country where bookings are already ahead of 2019.” He said the 22% price upturn was mainly due to the type of holidays, with “more long- haul, longer durations, higher quality holidays. Increasingly, it will also be scarcity.” Those leading the
industry’s engagement with
governments are releasing restrictions. There is an enormous unleashing of potential.” He reported current winter bookings at 58% “of a normal year” and summer bookings at 72%, but with average summer prices up 22% year on year, saying: “I never saw such price development. We see enormous volumes at very high prices.”
travelweekly.co.uk
government now want to simplify requirements and ensure stability. A leading airline source said:
“We’re engaging with the government on the recovery, on next steps and on contingencies. “Ministers have a good grasp of
what needs to happen. We haven’t a date yet on contingency plans [for future variants] but hope to see these
by spring. We should be able to get better alignment. We’re seeing a lot of movement with other countries.” However, a second aviation source
said: “Officials are talking about a basket of contingency measures this month, but we don’t know what they’re working on. “There is a lot of nervousness in
government on this. They’re talking about moving away from hotel quarantine, but they haven’t made any decisions. There are arguments. “The devolved administrations see
Westminster as reckless. One of the reasons the Passenger Locator Form [PLF] is so complicated is that four chief medical officers had to agree [it].” The source noted: “The PLF should be less confusing from Friday, but we’re not optimistic. “They’re trying to do something
more with it by March. “We are moving ahead. We
can have a summer. If you’re fully
vaccinated, you can do quite a lot. But double check if you have teenage children. It’s still complex and you still need to figure out the rules.” Australia announced the
reopening of its borders from February 21, although vaccinated arrivals will need a pre-departure test, while New Zealand confirmed a full reopening to visitors from October. Morocco, reopened to arrivals from
Monday, requires proof of vaccination from adults and arrivals aged six and over to take a pre-departure PCR test. Greece removed its requirement
for pre-departure tests for vaccinated visitors, although tests on arrival may still be required. Portugal also exempted vaccinated
arrivals from testing. France changed its rules to require UK adults who had a second vaccine dose before May
2021 to have a booster. i Bookings ‘eclipse 2019’, page 6 i Australia sales ‘flurry’, page 8
10 FEBRUARY 2022 5
PICTURES: Shutterstock/Feel good studio, KajzrPhotography
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