A CHESHIRE travel agent said that business is taking off again with a “big surge” in bookings following relaxing of Covid testing rules when travelling internationally.

Hays Travel (North West) has almost 50 branches across the region including stores in Chester, Ellesmere Port, Sandbach, Northwich and Nantwich.

Managing director Don Bircham said the changes, which came into force on Friday (January 7), inspired an increase in bookings for holidays in the sun and on cruise ships.

Popular destinations included Greece, Turkey, Spain, the Balearic and the Canary Islands, and Florida.

Mr Bircham said: “The first part of January was very slow but there has been a massive surge in bookings after the news from the UK Government that travel restrictions were being eased.

“The fact that you only need a lateral flow test on return rather than a pre departure test and a PCR on return has given customers the confidence to fly again.

“In normal times this is our busiest period because of the January blues after Christmas so the next fix is to get that summer holiday book and have something to look forward to.

“With the announcement about the easing of the testing rules, we’re really optimistic that there are better times ahead.”

The increase in demand at Hays Travel was also mirrored by Jet2 who said bookings had returned to "around pre-Covid levels" and by EasyJet who saw a 200 per cent increase in bookings.

He said: “Travellers can book with a low deposit and take advantage of our easy payment plan to spread the cost of their holiday.

“We have all sorts of initiatives in place, including a Piece of Mind Guarantee which means you can amend and alter your holiday free of charge.

“Selected tour operators are also doing that and, if you combine that with taking out insurance, it takes out the risk factor.

“We’re confident now we’re getting back to something like normality and, if there is a bump in the road with certain countries, we have some guarantees and some comfort that we can take care of it and offer alternative destinations.”

The release on restrictions granted a boost for families who were desperate to escape the struggles of the pandemic.

“There are lots of people wanting to tick off things on their bucket list because so many people have re-evaluated their lives as a consequence of the pandemic.

“People have been thinking long and hard about what life is all about and there’s a lot of grandparents who’ve got a few quid in the bank who want to take the kids and the grandkids away on an expensive, dream family holiday.

“The other thing is that people are more and more drawn to the high street travel agent at the moment for all the security, expert advice and help we can provide.”