Yesterday, TTG’s website was awash with positive headlines about an uptick in bookings following the prime minister’s “roadmap” announcement, indicating 17 May as a “from” point for international travel to resume.

“Agents report immediate uptick in positivity and bookings”, “Aito warns of demand outstripping supply as interest soars”, the headlines read.

And yet, just one day later, home secretary Priti Patel tells the Home Affairs Select Committee that it’s still “far too early to book holidays”.

What Patel, along with a swathe of her colleagues, still fails to grasp is it is not illegal or irresponsible to book a holiday.

Is the industry so wrong to be enthused by the semblance of a time frame to work towards for a decimated industry?

And should consumers be caused to second-guess their decision to dream and excitedly book themselves a break in the future?

What business is it of Patel’s anyway if informed consumers decide to book? Surely the whole government should be behind helping this multi-billion pound sector get back on track?

Agent Tony Mann told TTG just yesterday how damaging the impact of transport secretary Grant Shapps’ comments on summer holiday bookings had been. “It knocked the stuffing out of me and my team,” he said. “We seriously wondered what the future would hold.”

Patel’s comments at best show a continued ignorance about the UK travel industry, and at worst a contempt for a sector which has only ever tried to look after its customers and survive – with still no sector specific support.