Bookings up but test clarity awaited Juliet Dennis


Holiday sales and enquiries have enjoyed a further gradual rise since the government slashed the number of destinations on its red list to seven. But travel agencies reported


growing frustration at the lack of a date for the day-two test changes despite a fresh pledge from the transport secretary that it will be announced in time for half-term. Firms reported a sales surge


straight after the Department for Transport announced it was reducing the red list from 54 countries. Barrhead Travel president


Jacqueline Dobson was hopeful the trade would now “finally see a more


stable recovery as we head towards the end of the year”. “I believe we’ll see the real impact


from the red list reduction over the next couple of weeks,” she said. “Travel’s recovery has continued


to be gradual, rising with every announcement.” But confusion over the date when


lateral flow tests will be allowed in place of PCR tests on day two for arrivals was a “recurring question” at branches, she said. “We need details for this as soon as possible.” Althams Travel managing


director Sandra McAllister said sales immediately increased for long-haul destinations such as South Africa and late half-term bookings following last Thursday’s announcement.


Delay in switching tests blamed on verification issue


Ian Taylor


The delay in confirming the date for switching from day-two PCR tests for vaccinated arrivals to rapid tests is due to a last-minute decision on the method of verifying test results and the complexity of connecting details to the Passenger Locator Form (PLF). That is according to industry


sources who insist: “There is a huge amount of work going on behind the scenes to get this over the line. We’re hopeful they’ll announce it in time for the school half-term but there is no guarantee.”


4 14 OCTOBER 2021 The government has confirmed


travellers will be required to submit a photo of their result and that a follow-up PCR test, required if a day- two rapid test is positive, will be free. A leading aviation source told


Travel Weekly: “They only worked out what they were going to do hours before they said they would require photo evidence [on October 7]. “They were looking at videos, but a lot of testing providers said ‘we can’t do that’. “Now a lot of the test providers


have to adapt. Once the Department for Transport knows there is enough capacity, they will confirm the date.


Results of day-two lateral flow tests will need to be linked to Passenger Locator Forms


[Transport secretary Grant] Shapps is pushing for October 22.” A second source explained:


“The issue is there has to be full connection with the PLF because if the traveller has to take a PCR test it has to be related back to the PLF. That is the whole point. “The PCR test will be free


if required, but it needs to be connected to the rapid test provider and the pre-booked test reference number on the PLF.


“The passenger will pay to find


out whether they’re positive or negative and have to report that. The government will pay for the PCR test for those who test positive because it wants the sequencing data.” Tests should be considerably


cheaper than current PCR tests, but it’s unclear by how much as the system will still depend on private providers. The source noted: “Lab testing costs will be stripped out, but we’re waiting to see the impact.”


travelweekly.co.uk Travel’s recovery


has continued to be gradual, rising with every announcement


But she questioned the


government’s failure to give a date for the day-two test change. “The fact the government has dangled the carrot but not confirmed has meant we’ve not managed to capitalise on this fully,” she said. “Many customers will not book on the ‘promise’ of the removal of PCR testing.” Premier Travel said enquiries


and bookings had become “more consistent” in recent weeks, with


sales up week on week – and that it was becoming easier to collect balances, with fewer consumers asking to change holiday dates. Director Paul Waters said: “We’re


not constantly back to 2018-19 levels as yet; some days we exceed and others we fall short. Overall, we’re pleased with levels of new sales and exceeding targets.” Advantage Travel Partnership


reported “steady” sales with higher average values as agents booked a wider range of destinations and products. Leisure director Kelly Cookes said members were advising clients to hold off booking day-two tests until close to departure as the situation meant it was “difficult to advise customers on what to book”.


PICTURE: Shutterstock/Pranav Kukreja


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