Weekly Travel Bulletin 09/05/21

Shearwater Travel provides independent travel advice you can trust. Keep in touch with latest developments in international tourism with Shearwater Travel’s weekly travel bulletin covering changes to UK travel restrictions, destinations opening up to UK travellers, how to book safely and some inspiration for your next trip.

This week:

update on UK restrictions
Seychelles
Greece
Cyprus

For the time being the UK travel ban is still in place – it is unlawful to travel overseas for holidays. The UK continues to require all travellers entering the country to either self isolate at home or quarantine in an approved hotel if travelling from a country on the Red List. The Global Travel Task Force, which will make recommendations on how to open up international travel to and from the UK, is due to report on 12 April. The task force has held its first meeting but so far there is no firm news on what was discussed. The Prime Minister has said that international tourism will not reopen before 17 May.

Nevertheless the UK travel industry is reporting a steady increase in bookings from travellers keen to get away this year. If you do decide to go ahead and book then please make sure yo do so carefully, following Shearwater Travel’s guide to booking a holiday in 2021.

The Seychelles Government has announced that from 25 March international travellers (except those from South Africa) will be allowed into the Seychelles with a negative PCR test less than 72 hours before departure. There will be no restrictions or quarantine upon entry. Unfortunately the Seychelles is currently on the UK Government’s red list (requiring hotel quarantine upon return to the UK) but with one of the world’s leading vaccination campaigns under way, the Seychelles are a good bet for a holiday later this year. There are some gorgeous luxury and boutique hotels in the Seychelles, island hopping is possible and there are some amazing nature experiences including giant tortoises, marine life, the rare Coco de Mer palm and some lovely walking trails.

Click here for more information about the Seychelles

Greece is now looking like a good bet for a trip this year. The Greek Tourism Minister has said that Greece intends to welcome UK travellers this summer and is in preliminary discussions with the UK Government. Travellers with a certificate showing both doses of vaccine would be allowed entry without testing. Non-vaccinated travellers would have to have a negative PCR test. Whilst this is great news, I must add a cautionary note, that cases appear to be on the rise in Greece at the moment and the Greek Government has yet to make any formal announcement. The Greek islands are one of our favourite destinations, particularly the smaller less visited islands. Accommodation ranges from luxury hotels, to simple apartments, traditional cottages and fully staffed villas. Click here to read more about the Greek islands

As I write this newsletter it is being widely reported that the Cyprus Government has announced that it will allow entry to vaccinated travellers from the UK from 1 May without need for a PCR test or quarantine. Both doses of vaccine will need to have been administered. As with the Greek announcement there is currently nothing formally available. We hope more detail on this will emerge in the coming weeks. Cyprus is a very popular destination for UK holidaymakers and with very widespread testing it has managed to keep infection at relatively low levels making it a good bet for an overseas holiday this year.