A BRADFORD travel agent says it is time for everyone to look forward after the travel industry was given a 'fantastic' boost by the government.

Pre-departure Covid tests for travellers arriving in England will be scrapped from 4am tomorrow, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced, in a major boost for the beleaguered travel industry.

In a Commons statement on Wednesday, the Prime Minister said the Omicron variant is now so prevalent in the country that the measure is having limited impact on the spread of the disease.

He told MPs the requirement for travellers to self-isolate on arrival until they receive a negative PCR test is also being dropped.

Instead, the rules will revert to the system in place in October with travellers required to take a lateral flow test no later than the end of day two after their arrival.

The measures were originally introduced following the identification of the fast-spreading Omicron variant in South Africa last November.

Mr Johnson said: "So I can announce that in England from 4am on Friday, we will be scrapping the pre-departure test, which discourages many from travelling for fear of being trapped overseas and incurring significant extra expense."

Tony Mann, director of Idle Travel, backed the announcement and says the travel industry and holidaymakers can look forward to a better 2022.

Mr Mann says his firm, based at Morrisons Shopping Complex at Five Lane Ends, has been inundated with calls from customers looking to book a holiday for later this year following the Prime Minister's announcement.

But he called on people to still remain cautious, check a holiday package's booking conditions and check their passport before travelling for conditions associated with Brexit and any valid dates which may have run out over the course of the pandemic so far.

Mr Mann said: "It's fantastic news and a great start to the new year for us.

"I could not have had a better Christmas and New Year present than this.

"Let's look forward and this will be good for everybody. I do feel there is a different tone.

"We have already said that 2022 will be a good year and forward bookings are already good. There are lots of good offers already out there.

"Don't get me wrong, if things change, they (the government) will change things. It could still be a bumpy couple of months ahead, so you need that flexibility of bookings."

Meanwhile, Jet2holidays has responded to that demand by today announcing £50 off per person on all package holidays booked through Jet2holidays. Jet2.com, is also offering 10 per cent off flights.

All bookings, for winter 2021/22, summer '22, winter 22/23 or summer '23, must be made by January 18 for these promotions to apply.