The Tour operator On the Beach will is to offer free Covid tests to holidaymakers returning to the UK.
The firm announced that it is to cover the cost of Covid-19 tests for customers who book to key destinations this month.
Earlier this year the online travel agency announced its decision not to sell holidays this summer in response to just 12 countries making the government’s initial green list in May. The stop-sell was then extended following further government updates.
Announcing the return to sale, chief executive Simon Cooper said: “Having carefully monitored the ongoing travel updates, the data at home and in our key destinations, and the sentiment among our customers, we feel that the time is now right to welcome them back to the beach.
“We’re encouraged by the easing of travel restrictions for the fully-vaccinated and the rollout of vaccination programmes in the UK and in our most popular destinations. This has also settled the traffic light system in recent weeks. And, whilst demand has a way to go to get back to pre-pandemic levels, we are seeing green shoots and a growing appetite amongst consumers to make up for missed summer getaways.”
On the Beach is providing complimentary Covid-19 tests with all bookings made up to September 30 for holidays in 2021 to Spain, Greece, their islands, and Cyprus.
It said the move has been taken to help remove the financial and administrative barriers of PCR testing as customers acclimatise to the ‘new normal’ of holidaying abroad. The policy includes both antigen and PCR tests.
