The heatwave has come too late for sun seekers who have been swamping travel agents desperate to book holidays abroad after a miserable summer – until now.
And following the lifting of pandemic restrictions it means many are taking the opportunity to hit the hot spots in Europe for the first time in two years.
Borders Travel manager Gary Jardine said: “We have been busy all year but there has been a surge recently since Covid restrictions were lifted in a lot of countries.
“Despite passport problems and issues at airports (with cancellations) people are still keen to get away.
“There are still Covid restrictions in place in some countries and the insistence on full vaccinations but there has been an absolute huge rise recently. Spain is always a popular destination year after year until, of course, the pandemic and we are seeing a lot of bookings for Magaluf, Tenerife and Ibiza.
“Benidorm has always been a firm favourite with travellers and the all inclusive deals that are available.
“We have also had bookings for Croatia while Greece is another popular place for holidaymakers.”
Mr Jardine, 51, has been manager at Borders Travel for 19 years and the business was established in Dumfries back in 1964.
He added: “We have been busier than ever and we get people even coming in just to ask for advice about a holiday.”
Hays Travel in Annan High Street has seen a similar rise in business since restrictions were lifted.
Manager Iain Begg welcomed the resurgence in bookings and said: “The last few months since the Covid restrictions were lifted have been busy.
“I think it is the fact that so many people have not been away for so many years and now want a holiday and a bit of sun on their backs.
“The most popular places are the Canary Islands like Tenerife and mainland Spain as well.
“Greece is another popular place for holidaymakers but strangely there are not so many long-haul trips being booked. Perhaps it is the length of time on the plane, I am not sure, but maybe they don’t have that confidence to travel on a flight for that amount of time since the pandemic.”
Mr Begg, 35, added: “We were previously Thomas Cook and it was taken over by Hays Travel in 2019.
“I have been manager for the last six months since I returned to the town.
“We have also seen a surge in online bookings as well which is good.”
