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Welcome to our first Newsletter of the year of 2021

I have started a Happy New Year email each day since we waved goodbye to 2020. Each time thinking, No that doesn’t seem relevant anymore. No it’s not the right time. No that has changed. No leave it until a better time. Even yesterday with the Brazilian Virus announcement, better times seem further away than ever.

What a year we have had and what a year we are still to have!

Who is feeling the pressure of the 4 walls? All of us in one way or another. Just as it looks like it is getting better this new virus arrives and travel corridors quickly closed. It seems to be all doom and gloom, but we have to hope it won’t last forever. We have to believe we will travel again.

However in the interim it is quite clear that the Government wants us all to stay home for this month and well into February. All signs seem to point to the later part of February before any travel restrictions may be lifted.

So it is time to hunker down in January, look after ourselves and keep hope in that one day soon, we can all travel again. In the interim we are sharing the many offers for the later part of this year and into 2022. We are mindful of the restrictions and so far this month we have seen:

• The corridor removed from Dubai so now quarantine is law for anyone returning from Dubai including transiting flights.
• Cruise lines have extended their pause until end of March 2021 and some American Cruise companies have pulled all European cruises for summer 2021
• Jet2 Holidays announced all package holidays up to March 25, 2021 will be cancelled.
• Countries imposing bans and jail sentences for those not obeying the Covid rules.
• Oman offers visa-free visits for up to 10 day stays.
• England will introduce mandatory Covid tests from 4am Monday 18th January for all arrivals. Those returning from countries not on its travel corridor list will also have to quarantine for up to 10 days, even if they have a negative test result before travelling to England.*
• The Travel Industry calls for a worldwide stance on testing and quarantine to reduce the confusion to travellers.

If you have a booking with us for travel in the first quarter, we are keeping an eye on all our customer bookings. Tour operators are working in date order so we will be in contact as soon as we have information to forward to you.

Are you wondering should you book a holiday? That is a difficult question. If you don’t mind where you go, then wait until the last minute. You may not get first choice and you may pay more due to availability. With news that aged 50 years and over will be vaccinated by May 2021, enquiries in this market are growing.

Do you know where you want to go? If yes, then book it now with a deposit. Everything is flexible and can be moved so no loss just security in the knowledge you have something booked to look forward to later this year.

Just keep in mind all those holidays last year have been moved to this year. Now we have the first quarter moving to the later part of the year. Airlines are on reduced service, cruise ships have been sold and some hotels have closed.

Travel programs are starting to appear tempting to dream of warmer destinations. Exploring new horizons and experience other cultures. Favourites of mine are Greg Wallace in South Africa and or Rick Stein in Cornwall, both on ITV. Staycations will be popular this year and availability will be tight, we have some wonderful new options for UK holidays.

My prediction for future travel will be for us to travel to familiar places, stay for longer and take generational family holidays. All those grandparents that have missed those family moments and hugs will want to share special times once again.

As always if you wish to discuss travel and find out what offers are available either drop an email to sales@goeasy-travel.com or follow our Social media posts on Facebook and Instagram for the latest offers available.

Keep Safe and well.

Regards

Issy

*The test must be either a nucleic acid test, a PCR test or a derivative technology, including loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) tests. Additionally, an antigen test, such as from a lateral flow device, will be accepted. Your test result must include your name, birth date, test result, the date the sample was collected or received by the provider, the name of the test provider and the name of the test device.