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Coronavirus: People are still booking holidays but are being more cautious - say Spalding area travel agents




Travel agents say it’s business as usual, but there is some obvious caution from holidaymakers as Coronavirus continues to hit the headlines.

We asked local travel stores if they had been affected by reports of COVID-19 across the globe.

“People are still booking - but people who are booking are being more cautious about it,” explained Louise Albert, branch manager of Hays Travel in Hall Place, Spalding.

Branch manager, Louise Albert, and assistant manager, Gay Leivers, of Hays Travel in Spalding, have been happy to answer people's queries around holiday bookings during the Coronavirus outbreak.
Branch manager, Louise Albert, and assistant manager, Gay Leivers, of Hays Travel in Spalding, have been happy to answer people's queries around holiday bookings during the Coronavirus outbreak.

"We are making sure that we keep people updated. It is important to have insurance; but it is also important to make sure that you book with a fully-bonded travel agent."

By booking with a fully-bonded travel agent people can ensure that their holidays are ABTA and ATOL protected.

“So if the Foreign Office instructs not to travel it is us who can sort it out for them," Mrs Albert explained.

Spalding Travel in Market Place, Spalding.
Spalding Travel in Market Place, Spalding.

She is looking forward to her summer holiday to Dubai in May and colleagues Gay Leivers and Jocelyn Hilli are going to Greece.

Lisa Shepherd, manager at Spalding Travel in Market Place, said: “It is business as usual. People obviously have a bit more uncertainty but we still have people booking and we are happy to help with any questions. It is good to book with a travel agent as they are here to help.

“There are some amazing deals out there at the moment.”

A spokesperson for TUI, which also has a branch in Hall Place, Spalding, said: “We’re aware of the reported outbreaks of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in various destinations around the world. We continue to follow the relevant Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advice for all destinations we operate to.

Tui in Hall Place, Spalding.
Tui in Hall Place, Spalding.

“All of our holidays are currently operating as normal and we want customers to enjoy their holiday as planned. In the event that we’re unable to operate a holiday due to changes in travel restrictions, we will contact customers directly to discuss their options, including an amendment or full refund.”

Lincolnshire Co-op has a travel branch in Hall Place, Spalding, and one in High Street, Long Sutton.

Its Travel Group Manager, Wayne Dennett, said: “People are asking questions about the situation and our expert colleagues in branch are keeping up-to-date with the latest FCO advice on overseas travel.

Lincolnshire Co-op has a travel branch in Hall Place, Spalding (pictured) and one in High Street, Long Sutton.
Lincolnshire Co-op has a travel branch in Hall Place, Spalding (pictured) and one in High Street, Long Sutton.

“As we are ABTA bonded and ATOL protected, all holidays booked through us are protected. We can also help rearrange people’s breaks if necessary – if they want to change destination or go at a later date for example.

“As everyone’s circumstances are different, it’s best to contact the teams in branch who will be able to give personalised advice.”

ALSO:

Coronavirus has hit the UK: What we know about it

Spalding Co-op travel branch's top travel tips for 2020

Lincolnshire: Coronavirus cases confirmed in county



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