A travel agents has revealed the most popular tourist destinations as the industry gets back to "something like normality".
Business is "booming" at the Hays Travel store in Kirkby town centre which was previously saved from closure along with the jobs of its six staff in the wake of the collapse of the Thomas Cook holiday empire.
With the travel industry amongst those hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, staff have since revealed things are certainly looking more positive.
READ MORE: Gino D'Acampo's Castle Street restaurant to be replaced by new Italian 'Riva Blu'
Hays Travel Managing Director Don Bircham, whose Wrexham-based business has 44 stores across the North West and North Wales, said there is an "optimistic mood" now as they are seeing a surge in bookings.
Some of the most popular destinations people are rushing to are currently Greece, Turkey, Spain, the Balearics and the Canaries, while Florida is also "coming back strongly".
There’s also a huge demand for cruising.
He said: "Kirkby is a great town for us and this is a great opportunity and that’s why I wanted to spend money on it.
"There is a more optimistic mood now. People were scared of travelling abroad and having to take multiple tests with the fear of a failed test meaning a stay in quarantine with all the extra expense that entails.
"But now the easing of restrictions by the Government means that we are seeing a massive surge in bookings as the fact that you only need a lateral flow test on return rather than a pre-departure test and a PCR on return has given customers the confidence to fly again.
"They haven’t really had a holiday for two years and another key thing is that because of all the additional requirements they are coming back to their high street travel agent."
He went on to say they are "confident we are getting back to something like normality" and should restrictions come in in other countries, they have some "comfort" alternative destinations can be offered.
He added: "We’re confident now we’re getting back to something like normality and, if there is a bump in the road with certain countries, we have some guarantees and some comfort that we can take care of it and offer alternative destinations.
“There are lots of people wanting to tick off things on their bucket list because so many people have re-evaluated their lives as a consequence of the pandemic.
“People have been thinking long and hard about what life is all about and there’s a lot of grandparents who’ve got a few quid in the bank who want to take the kids and the grandkids away on an expensive, dream family holiday."
The Kirkby store on St Chad's Parade was saved when Hays Travel North West took over, meaning staff were able to keep their jobs and the store was given a £60,000 makeover.
Manager Natalie Mackay and her colleagues had been facing a bleak future after the demise of Thomas Cook, but are now looking forward to a more positive future.
She said: “I’ve been here for eight years and it’s a massive relief that we have been able to re-open and keep our jobs.
“We’re all local girls who have grown up here and have a great relationship with our customers so it was really devastating when we closed so having the opportunity to come back here has been brilliant.
“It’s been great since Hays Travel took over and now it’s been refurbished it’s all modern and fresh and the customers really appreciate it as well – it gives them the confidence that we are here to stay.”
Cllr Tony Brennan, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, added: “I’m delighted to visit the newly refurbished Hays Travel in Kirkby Town Centre and delighted to meet the staff whose jobs have been safeguarded.
“Kirkby is currently benefitting from major investment, including that at Hays Travel. I wish Hays Travel every success as they welcome customers into their newly refurbished premises.”
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
