Tuesday, December 14, 2021
Holiday starved Brits plan on jetting off abroad to spend Christmas with loved ones, despite the new restrictions. The government slapped fresh restrictions on travel since the emergence of the Omicron Covid variant. All international arrivals to the UK must isolate until they receive a negative PCR test, which can be taken two days after landing in the country.
A study of 1,000 adults planning to go away for the festive season, carried out after the government announcement, found more than seven in 10 are confident their holiday will be affected. Despite this, 75 percent have every intention of sticking to their seasonal plans.
Medicspot, which provides private Covid-19 testing and GP services, carried out the study after it experienced a 163 percent increase in sales of its test for travel in the run-up to the festive season.
An earlier and separate study of 1,000 adults who have festive travel plans found more than 60 percent fear they won’t recognize family and friends when they see them on their break, as they have been blocked from reuniting with them by Covid restrictions. Nearly 60 percent do not intend to return to the UK until the New Year.
The joint top two destinations for getaways this Christmas, if restrictions allow, are sun-soaked Australia and cold Austria. Spain, America, and France were also named the most popular travel spots by people looking to make up for lost time with family and friends while Iceland has been booked by one percent of respondents.
Other reasons for escaping the UK this winter included a desire to restore a sense of normality by reclaiming the freedom to travel. Nearly 40 percent are ‘desperate’ to relax, while 34 percent booked breaks ‘simply because they could’.
While more than 20 percent are simply looking forward to not having to make their bed at a hotel during their Christmas jaunt.
Saturday, December 30, 2023
Saturday, December 30, 2023
