After months of lockdown, there is pent up demand for holidays, which for many of us are an important part of our lives. Many holidaymakers will be, understandably, eager to book a well-deserved break.

 

Whether this is at home or abroad, the travel industry – from travel agents and tour operators to accommodation and transport providers – is looking forward to playing their part in your holiday journey once more.

 

As travel restarts please keep in mind that it will continue to be an unprecedented and evolving situation for businesses as well as customers. As part of this, ABTA Members and their associated suppliers want to continue to prioritise public health and follow the best medical and scientific advice.
With this in mind, it is quite possible that your package holiday might look/be different to previous experiences – for example there might be changes to food service such a buffet options; the hotels might operate self-check-in; there might be fewer restaurants and more limited entertainment in resort.

 

However, a holiday should still be just that – time to get away and have fun and ABTA Members are working hard to make it both a safe and enjoyable time throughout each step of the journey.

 

There will be a range of considerations when planning a holiday. As always, if you have any queries or concerns you should speak to your travel company, however there are steps you can take to help be as prepared as possible. Further advice is below:

 

Domestic travel

In England, you are able to stay overnight away from the place where you are living. This includes staying overnight in a second home or a holiday home. Premises such as hotels and bed and breakfasts are also allowed to open.

You should only stay overnight in groups of up to two households (your support bubble counts as one household) and should ensure you maintain social distancing with anyone you do not live with or is not in your support bubble.

See here for the full information from the Government, including links to advice for people in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

 

International travel

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) is generally advising against all non-essential overseas travel for British nationals but has published a list of countries and territories that are exempt from that advice. The countries on that list have been assessed as no longer presenting an unacceptably high risk to British people travelling abroad.

To view the list of exempt countries please click here.

Whilst the FCO does not advise against travel to these countries, some have specific entry restrictions that need to be complied with and each country will have their own specific requirements on local coronavirus measures that will need to be followed. You should read the FCO travel advice page for the country or countries you plan to visit to find the most up to date information. These pages can be found here.

In addition, the Government has published details of the countries and territories known as ‘travel corridors’. This means that, from 10 July, people arriving in England from these countries will be able to enter England without needing to self-isolate, unless they have been in or transited through countries that are not part of a travel corridor in the preceding 14 days.

For full details of these travel corridors, please click here.

If you have been to or stopped in a country that is not on the travel corridor list you will have to self-isolate until 14 days have passed since you left that country. All arriving passengers, except those on a small list of exemptions, will still be required to provide contact information on arrival in the UK.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will set out their own approach to exemptions, and so passengers returning to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should ensure they follow the laws and guidance which applies there. Further information can be accessed via these links:

• Scotland
• Wales
• Northern Ireland

 

Talk to your ABTA Member travel company

There will be a range of considerations when planning a holiday. Speak to your ABTA Member travel company about your options – from destinations to types of holiday – and how your holiday might look different to previous years, so you’re aware of any changes before you book. If you are unsure what the current FCO travel advice means for your planned holiday, your ABTA Member travel provider will be able to provide further support and guidance.

 

To help you get ready for travel, ABTA has prepared a new leaflet with some useful tips as you plan for your trip and to assist when travelling abroad. The guide includes help and advice on:

 

Before you travel – do your research

• Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) travel advice • Travel insurance • Passport and entry requirements • Health advice and vaccinations • Destination requirements • Plan and pack for a safe journey

 

During travel – follow the guidance

• Travel to the airport/train station/port • At the terminal building

 

When you're away

• Information on the different rules in different countries • Guidance on what to expect

 

Journey home

• Advice on planning your return

 

On arrival in the UK

• Information on the Public Health Passenger Locator form • UK Government advice

 

The leaflet “Get ready for travel: customer tips and information for going on holiday or travelling abroad” is available in a mobile friendly PDF or print at home version. Download your preferred version below:
• Download holidaymakers - mobile friendly version
• Download holidaymakers - printable version
• Download business travellers - mobile friendly version
• Download business travellers - printable version