‘Travel will be back and it will be back with a boom’
A LOCAL travel agent says that despite trips abroad virtually at a standstill she believes the travel industry will be back with a bang.
Trim-based Mandy Walsh, who is part of Travel Counsellors Ireland who have numerous agents in Co Meath, has worked in the travel business for over 25 years and has seen an array of changes over the decades but admits she could never have imagined the challenge that would be faced by those in her industry over the past year.
Although travel only being recommended for essential reasons, Mandy says if you are planning a trip in the coming months research and knowledge is key.
Mandy’s comments come as the government is expected to sign off stricter quarantine rules later today for passengers arriving in Ireland.
“I’ve always stood over the fact that you should always book with a licenced and bonded travel agent or counsellor and that is even more relevant now than ever.
“The is situation in countries and borders are all so different and varied that we are here all day every day learning and getting the updates as they come in and they are coming in fast and furious.
“At the moment there are a certain amount of countries that are closed, some countries are open but have health and safety requirements.
“Gone are the days where you could chance booking something online. We have been there for our clients from the start of lockdown in March and we have been there every step of the way, even from repatriation getting people home, now we are now moving and amending things but anyone who has booked online I would hate to imagine where they are in the fight for their money.
“Most things that are booked with us can be moved and that is the security that people need.
“Everyone in the trade wants to see people moving and travelling again but we want that to happen only when we know that it is safe.”
Only essential travel is recommended by the government however some countries are open for business according to the travel counsellor.
“Dubai, The Maldives, The Seychelles and Sri Lanka for example are all open at the moment
“The Maldives have been open since July last year and all that they require is a negative PCR test within 72 hours of your arrival there.
“You need a negative cert when you arrive in Dublin. Regardless if where you are going does not require one, you are required to have one when you arrive back in Dublin.
“The canaries only require an antigen test but the Irish government require you to have the negative PCR on your return.”
Mandy is hopeful that holidays will again be something we can all look forward to again in the very near future:
“It has been hard but it has been hard for a lot of industries.
“I love everything about travel. I still wouldn’t swap what I do for anything in the world.
“I know we will get back in the sky.
“Travel will be back and it will be back with a boom.”
In this week's edition of the Meath Chronicle we incorrectly spelled Mandy's surname and said that she was Navan-based when she has been based in Trim for the last 14 years. We apologise to Mandy for the errors.