France’s Ski bookings has witnessed an immediate surge after the country’s tourism minister lifted a ban on UK tourists.
British airline Jet2 claims it has seen a “sharp and immediate” increase in bookings and searches for French ski holidays.
While EasyJet reported that it had seen a 600 per cent increase in the number of people choosing to travel to popular winter sports destinations and a 386 per cent increase in flight bookings.
UK tour operator TUI also reported that ski bookings had doubled on Wednesday following reports that restrictions would be eased.
In December, France imposed a ban on UK tourists to prevent the spread of the omicron variant. Many travellers had to cancel trips and abandon plans as the ski season will kick off.
Later, France allowed Britons hoping to transit the country to reach homes elsewhere in the European Union.
This came after a surprise clampdown caused dismay for thousands of travellers.
Under tougher Covid rules that began this week, non-resident Britons can no longer drive through France. Only those with a primary French residence can enter.
Many Britons take the Channel Tunnel from England to France, using Eurotunnel’s Shuttle service, to take cars from the UK to their homes in other EU countries.
But over the holidays many returned to Britain to visit family and friends without knowing that France was planning the tougher rules on non-residents.
But with Britain no longer part of the EU, Britain is a “third country” whose citizens face the same rules as those of other nations outside the bloc.
