Tui cancels hundreds of thousands of holidays as quarantine deadline approaches

The move mirrors the decision of Tui’s biggest rival, Jet2 Holidays

Britain’s biggest holiday company is to tell hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers that their trips have been cancelled.

Tui had previously axed departures up to 11 June. But the firm has now called off all holidays until 1 July at the earliest.

The move mirrors the decision of Tui’s biggest rival, Jet2 Holidays.

For the past 10 weeks, the Foreign Office has urged against all non-essential travel abroad, and there is no indication when that blanket warning might change. No mainstream tour operator will run trips while it remains in place.

In addition, from 8 June, almost all arrivals at UK airports, ferry ports and international rail terminals will be required to self-isolate at home, out of direct contact with family and friends, for two weeks.

In response to government restrictions, Tui has now cancelled all holidays travelling up to 30 June 2020 – with some axed beyond that date.

All “Lakes and Mountains” trips before the end of September are also cancelled.

The firm’s Marella cruise line has cancelled all sailings on or before 30 July 2020, with some ships delayed further.

Tui is telling holidaymakers with later bookings: “All other holidays are continuing to operate as planned and will be continuously reviewed.”

Customers whose trips are cancelled are entitled to a full refund within 14 days, according to the Package Travel Regulations.

In practice, though, it will take weeks for money to be refunded.

Tui is offering a bonus of up to 20 per cent for holidaymakers who are prepared to postpone their trips.