Our local hotels are gearing up to reopen from May 17 and are optimistic about a bounce back in trade after the lockdowns.

The new Premier Inn Botley opened on April 16 and the Premier Inn at Oxford Westgate is due to open in mid-June.

Despite reports that restrictions on foreign travel could be eased after May 17, CEO Alison Brittain said she still anticipated strong demand for rooms - particularly in holiday areas.

She said: “We expect a significant bounce in leisure demand in our tourist locations during the summer, followed by a gradual recovery in business and event-driven leisure demand.”

The chain, which has 800 hotels, has several initiatives in place to attract more tourists.

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Ms Brittain said: “At the forefront of our response is a major integrated marketing campaign, ‘Rest Easy’ featuring the voice of Sir Lenny Henry, who has become synonymous with the Premier Inn Brand.”

She added that a new premierinn.co.uk website, an improved ‘business booker’ proposition and increased use of Travel Management Companies is designed to help broaden reach to business customers.

She said: “We will also continue to invest in our room refurbishments, ensuring that our hotel estate remains well-invested, as well as recommencing the roll-out of ‘Premier Plus' rooms, after the programme was paused in financial year 21.”

There have been some reports of travel operators hiking prices in order to try and make up money lost this year during lockdown.

Ms Brittain said: “Our pricing is dynamic and responds to demand. Where demand is high, such as seaside and coastal locations this summer, our prices will reflect the demand.

“Our hotels in city centre locations are offering some excellent prices at the moment (for guests able to travel) where business demand has dropped off.”

Further out in the countryside Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons at Great Milton is very much looking forward to re-opening on May 17.

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A spokesperson said: “We have a very busy few months ahead and we are lucky that we have been able to re-book guests who were due to visit during the last few months and have waited to re-arrange.

“Many of our guests do visit for a special celebration so we have many lovely birthdays, wedding anniversaries that couples/families are celebrating.

“We have seen that some guests have extended their stays from one night to two, which is great, and we have a calendar of dates in The Raymond Blanc Cookery School and The Raymond Blanc Garden School as well.

“It seems so many people are keen to learn more about the garden after lockdown and of course the seasonal courses in the cookery school are always hugely popular.”

She added that to attract visitors they have added new seasonal dishes to the menu and are planning some events over the summer, including the annual Bastille Day celebration on July 14.