Jacinta Doolan News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Europe’s summer abroad cancelled as staycation bookings soar Padraic Halpin, Sarah Young and Simon Johnson Feb 17, 2021 – 3.30pm Save Share Up until late January, Terry O’Toole was fielding a trickle of inquiries from Irish holidaymakers happy to settle for another summer at home in one of the cottages he manages in the scenic west coast region of Connemara, Ireland. But when a government minister said on radio that it was very unlikely Irish people will be able to go on foreign holidays this summer, “the trickle became a torrent”. No place like home: Connemara, Count...

Strong demand: Terry O’Toole of Love Connemara Cottages says summer availability is ‘tight’. Photo: REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne “Like last year, you have the entire Irish market trying to squeeze into only a set amount of bookings,” he said. People still want to holiday and they’re forced to stay in Ireland, he said, something that makes for a slightly begrudging clientele who would usually be off in the sun. Mr O’Toole expects 80pc to 90pc of Love Connemara’s 100 holiday homes to be fully booked for July and August within the month. He is banking on a strong second half and som...

HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS/EUROPE-HOLIDAYS (PIX):Europe's summer abroad cancelled as staycation bookings soar