A London travel agency secured a £30,000 Sri Lanka booking for a family as soon as the travel advice to the country was updated.
TTG Top 50 Travel Agency Travel Designers director Nick Harding-McKay told TTG: “They were all ready to book but when the ban came in the trip was put on hold.”
The Foreign Office moved promptly to advise against all but essential travel to Sri Lanka following a series of bombings targeting hotels and churches on Easter Sunday that claimed more than 250 lives.
However, the effective travel ban was lifted on Thursday 6 June, albeit with the caveat that tourists should remain vigilant to the threat of terrorism and be aware of possible curfews.
“As soon as the advice changed we called the family and they told us they still wanted to go – even when the ban was in place – and were ready to book,” McKay said.
“This just shows that the public confidence in Sri Lanka is there.”
The booking, through Exsus, will see the family travel all around the island for 17 nights.
Harding-McKay added a honeymoon couple had also resumed their Sri Lanka plans and booked following the advice update.