The OTA announced in May that it was closing summer 2021 bookings until September owing to uncertainty brought by the pandemic. It has now reopened sales, backed by a free Covid test offer, the cost “anticipated to be in excess of £1 million”.
The offer applies to all September bookings for Spain, Greece and Cyprus for holidays taken in 2021.
Tests will be ordered automatically following the booking and delivered a minimum of 48 hours prior to departure, with one antigen test to be taken on holiday prior to return to the UK and one PCR test to be carried out on or before Day 2 following arrival in the UK.
On the Beach has partnered with testing provider Collinson. Initially, free tests will be available for those residing in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
On the Beach 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 and includes both antigen and PCR tests.”
Another £500,000 will be invested to rebuild consumer confidence via a New Normal Booking Pledge.
Research for On the Beach found a third of 2,000 people surveyed cited the cost of PCR tests as one of the main reasons why they had not booked for 2021, second only to concerns the holiday would not go ahead.
A quarter of people not currently planning holidays this year said free Covid-19 tests would make them more likely to book for 2021.
On the Beach said overall confidence in booking a holiday had increased in recent weeks, with 53% of Britons now feeling confident about booking for the remainder of 2021. A survey by On the Beach in July found just 34% would consider booking a holiday this year.
Simon Cooper, On the Beach chief executive, said: “We are thrilled to launch this industry-leading offer for our customers and remove the financial burden of PCR testing for holidaymakers as they get to grips with the new normal of holidaying.
“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.”
