Time to dream of 2021 holidays

Lincolnshire Co-op Travel, an independent agency which runs a branch in Market Rasen, as well as 13 others across Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, has issued the advice after seeing many holidaymakers delay their breaks until 2021.

To help answer customer queries about travelling in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, Lincolnshire Co-op Travel has organised a series of free webinars with Jet2 Holidays,Shearings, Saga Holidays and Riviera during October and November.

Lincolnshire Co-op’s group travel manager, Wayne Dennett, said: “Over 50 per cent of Lincolnshire Co-op travel customers didn’t cancel their 2020 holiday; our branch teams helped them amend their break to 2021.

“The vast majority of our new bookings are for 2021 too and with changes to schedules and accommodation on offer, people might not have the choice they are used to closer to the time.

“We know people have more questions than usual so we’ve organised these free online events where people can hear directly from operators.”

Full details can be found at www.lincolnshire.coop/membership/events.

Wayne continued: “We also have our expert teams available in our local branches who can help, with no waiting on hold to a call centre.”

Whenever travellers choose to book, it’s important to ensure the holiday is covered with ABTA and ATOL protection.

ABTA is the Association of British Travel Agents and members offer financial protection and assistance if anything doesn’t go to plan.

ATOL is the Air Travel Organisers License, which protects holidaymakers when a flight is included.

Wayne said: “In these uncertain times, it’s really important to ensure your holiday is covered by ABTA and ATOL.

“You can check membership on ABTA’s website and you should always receive an ATOL certificate with your booking.

“This way, you can rest assured that your booking is fully financially protected for any eventuality.”

Lincolnshire Co-op Travel also has branches in the Moorland Centre and the Carlton Centre in Lincoln; Newark, Gainsborough, Spalding, Long Sutton, Sleaford, Grimsby, Horncastle, Louth, Grantham, Boston and Retford.

Each branch has screens at booking desks, sanitising stations and a limit on how many customers can be inside at one time.