Filenews 10 July 2021 - by Adamos Adamou
Moderate expectations that at the end of July there will begin to be a flow of tourists from the most important market in Cyprus, caused by Britain's decision to abolish from the 19th of the month for fully vaccinated and underage residents of the United Kingdom the obligation of ten days of isolation when they return to England from countries on its so-called orange list, including our country for the time being.
Speaking to "F", PASYXE Director Philocyprus Roussanidis described as positive the development in the gloomy environment that still characterizes the sector's prospects for this year. As he said, Cyprus, although in the red category of ECDC, is still in the orange category of the United Kingdom, allowing some optimism that the changes that will take effect on 19 July will also benefit our country if and when it remains in the orange category.
However, the next assessment of the categorisation of the British is expected, according to British reports, on the 15th, when it will be seen whether our country will be kept in the orange category or relegated to the red. Mr Roussanidis, expressing a personal opinion, said that it was not out of the question to keep us in the orange category, since the British pay particular attention to the percentage of vaccinated people in each country.
For the time being, however, the countries that seem to be benefiting from the changes that will take place are Spain, France, Portugal and Greece, with the latter even appearing to be the most profitable from the significant increase in bookings in the last 24 hours.
Given the Johnson administration's determination to lift the restraining order, despite fierce criticism from scientists, it is likely that the practical interest of the country's residents will continue in the coming days to pre-book a short holiday, as everyone is worried about a new, fiercer, coronal wave in the autumn.
Panic about reservations!
EasyJet announced yesterday that flight bookings to 'orange' countries increased by 400% and holiday packages sold by 440%. Among the most popular destinations are Corfu, Alicante, Malaga, Faro and Nice.
As the company's chief executive, Johan Lundgren, commented, "Europe has now become 'green' for double vaccinated people." He added that he has always maintained that vaccination will be the key to unlocking international travel.
British Airways announced that "within hours" of Mr Shapps's midday announcements the day before yesterday, there was a 96% increase in traffic to its website.
Similarly, Tui told the BBC that there had been a big increase in visits to the booking website, "which shows that demand is incredibly high." The company added that the most popular destinations are Mediterranean countries.
For his part, Noel Iosifidis, from the Association of Independent Tour Operators, which specializes in holidays in Greece and Cyprus, told THE CYPE that for the first time this year bookings at Sunvil's travel agency to Greece reached the number of new and postponed bookings for 2022, to an important "milestone".
