Holiday bookings have surged as people finally feel relaxed enough to go on a long-awaited summer holiday abroad, travel agencies report. “We are seeing a sudden spike in demand with many making late bookings as they plan their holiday within a few weeks,” said Iain Tonna, president of the Federated Association of Travel and Tourism Agents Malta. He said that bookings through travel agencies this summer have returned to 85 per cent of pre-COVID levels. Enquiries and bookings are varied, mostly from couples, small groups of friends and families with children. Older people are a little more cautious but their bookings are increasing gradually too, he said. Tonna said that, while the surge was encouraging, there is still no guarantee it will last as it depends on external factors such as the pandemic and the Ukraine-Russia war. But, as things stand, even though the number of COVID cases has been on the increase, people appear to want to seize the window of opportunity to take a long-awaited vacation out of the island. The most popular destinations remain Italian resorts, including Sicily, and the UK, followed by countries where there is a direct flight, like Turkey and...