The boss of an island holiday company says he has seen a ’significant surge’ in bookings from off-island visitors for summer this year as hopes are raised by positive vaccination news.

But director John Keggin says that although no official guidance has been received from the government he has decided to suspend taking any further overseas bookings for the summer until more clarification is received.

Cottage rental agency Island Escapes, which manages almost 60 holiday homes around the island, has seen bookings from off-island customers steadily rise since the start of January, with advance bookings well up on pre-pandemic levels, despite the Isle of Man border being closed to visitors at this time.

Port Erin based Mr Keggin said: ’Since last March we’ve been unable to welcome visitors from outside of the Isle of Man, so we have had to adapt our business to the local market.

’However, after months of little or no interest from those overseas we have seen a significant surge in bookings from off-island residents for the summer period, July 2021 onwards - particularly over the last two weeks.’

Mr Keggin added: ’It is obvious that the situation in the United Kingdom is still very serious in relation to Covid-19 but those of us who work in tourism desperately need some clarity from the Government as to whether tourists are likely to be allowed to visit the island later this summer, should the United Kingdom situation improve and our own vaccination programme continues as planned.

’Protecting the island must come first, but with so much positivity about holidaying at home within Britain this year, it is clear residents of the United Kingdom are including the Isle of Man in their thoughts, perhaps boosted by the recent excellent publicity and newly announced Loganair routes.’

Mr Keggin said the administrative and financial burden involved with potentially having to cancel so many bookings means it is too much of a risk to continue to take these bookings and instead, the company continues to welcome local residents to enjoy a staycation at its properties across the Isle of Man.

He said: ’Regardless of what happens at the border the local population of the Isle of Man have been fantastic at supporting us during this difficult time, and we will always ensure we have an offering to support.’