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Agent decides to stop selling summer 2021 holidays
An agent has made the “tough” decision not to take any more bookings for departures before September due to the ongoing uncertainty created by Covid-19 travel restrictions.
Kate Holroyd, owner of Strawberry Holidays, said she had decided not to take any more enquiries and bookings for departures before 1 September to help the “longevity” of the business, even though it would lead to her losing out in the short term.
“I specialise in Disneyland and cruise and there’s just so much uncertainty with the reopening of the French park being pushed back and Florida looking unlikely too,” she told TTG.
Holroyd said she already had “a lot of people” booked for summer 2021, including those who had moved their bookings from last year.
But she did not want to face the possibility of dealing with even more cancellations and lost commission by continuing to take bookings for this summer. Although she added she “gave herself permission to go back” on that decision in the coming months.
Holroyd said she now wanted to concentrate on bookings for late 2021 and into 2022 when she felt “more confident about those departures”.
“We’ve had 12 months of constant anxiety so I feel this is a positive decision for my own sake and level of stress,” added Holroyd.
“We’re seeing demand for late 2021 into 2022. The business is growing and I’m in a fortunate position that my husband has worked throughout the pandemic.”
Holroyd has also received £2,500 in discretionary grants from her local council, which she described as the “best Christmas present”.
She said she had received “a really amazing response” when she announced her decision to stop taking summer 2021 bookings on Instagram.
“So many people said it’s a really tough decision but we understand why you’re doing it,” she added.
Rob Gill
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