A travel agent says new bookings are finally coming in after spending months handling cancellations, rearranging trips and securing refunds.
Ann Jones runs Teithiau Menai Travel in Caernarfon and has been working around the clock from home since the pandemic hit in March.
She has had to do it alone with three staff placed on furlough while she has worked for zero income and had to hand money back as trips were cancelled.
But with the shop finally open again and the outlook for international travel starting to settle down she is finally handling some new bookings - although mainly for 2021.
Ann, said: “It has been months of long hours working from home on the end of the phone or answering Facebook messages from customers.
“It has been all about cancelling, rearranging and refunding, no money was coming in and we were having to pay money out as well as having the usual bills.
“I can’t go on furlough so I was working for nothing. It has been really hard.”
But she says a corner has been turned - particularly after the quarantine rules were changed.
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She added: “People are calling to book now - it has been a more active on Facebook with more responses to offers.
“It is more positive although there is a long way to go.
“It is mostly bookings from September, and loads for next year although some are for sooner and I am positive trips will be running from mid-July. A lot though have moved their summer holiday for 2020 to 2021.”
One positive is that she has been able to help her loyal customers and that has been repaid as they now come back to book fresh trips.
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She said: “They know that when they need to get hold at me I will reply to them, even if it is at 10pm at night.
“You hear of stories where people can’t get hold of the firm they have booked with, the internet does not call back.
“I have helped some people with advice that weren’t even customers and perhaps in the future they may come to me.”