Major UK tour operator sees bookings to Cyprus triple

The UK’s second biggest tour operator Jet2holidays saw bookings for Cyprus and Greece skyrocket after the two countries announced they would be prepared to receive British tourists come May.

Regarding Cyprus in particular, the company’s bookings tripled over the past week following the island’s announcement that it would open its doors to vaccinated Brits without restrictions from May 1.

Despite the UK government’s roadmap not foreseeing recreational trips to resume before May 17, the CEO of Jet2holidays Stephen Heapy said the announcements by Greece and Cyprus declaring that they will be ready earlier were well received. Heapy said the announcements gave Brits “great confidence” that they will be able to enjoy the Mediterranean sun over the summer.

"We know how incredibly difficult this period has been for everyone and we look forward to taking everyone from our rainy islands to their dream vacation destination this summer and later on,” Heapy said.

Bookings are on the rise despite Transport Secretary Grant Shapps’ urge to the British to be patient until April 12, when the government-led international travel working group will finally decide when and how leisure travel abroad will be allowed.

Earlier this month, Tourism Deputy Minister Savvas Perdios said the government will accommodate British tourists who wish to visit the Republic of Cyprus starting from May 1 as long as they were inoculated with an EU-approved vaccine, without the need of presenting a negative PCR test upon arrival or entering quarantine.