Condor has reported a surge in interest in sea travel following Monday’s announcement by the British government of a relaxation in restrictions over the next few months.
The company has seen traffic to its website grow by 46% in the past 24 hours, particularly for travel to the Islands from the UK. The stepping up of vaccination programmes and likelihood that British holidaymakers would consider holidays closer to home, rather than longer haul trips, adds to the positive sentiment that the Channel Islands could benefit this year.
Paul Luxon, Condor’s CEO, said the figures were encouraging and would like to see plans for the Islands to exit lockdown as soon as the CI authorities feel it is safe and responsible to do so and ensure they can take advantage of the interest in travel.
“We have naturally been very pleased to see the surge in booking interest as our website and sales teams have been busy handling enquiries from customers. It is early to know if this translates into a spike in bookings, as both Guernsey and Jersey are both maintaining strict border and quarantine restrictions, so a road map from both governments for relaxing these will provide greater confidence and can only serve to boost the two visitor economies this year”.
The British government’s own plan for existing the current restrictions show a decision on easing of international travel would not happen until mid-May at the earliest.
Paul added: “Amid this uncertainty over when foreign travel will be allowed, some holidaymakers have their sights set on a UK break or, as we call it, staycation plus, which includes the short crossing to the Islands. We want to make sure that every opportunity is taken to bring back the good times this summer”.
