Holiday reservations in France increase after the rules change.

Travel companies said that French holiday bookings have skyrocketed after Paris announced it was easing restrictions on British travelers. Jet2 said it had seen a "sharp" increase in bookings and flights to French ski resorts.

Tour operator Tui said ski doubled on Wednesday after reports said the rules would change. Many tourists in the UK were forced to cancel their holidays when France banned all but significant travel last month.

But starting Friday, vaccinated Britons will no longer need a compelling reason to enter France or self-isolate on arrival. ABTA, which represents UK travel agencies, said the rule change was a relief for tourists and travel companies. Thousands of people are skiing [to France] at this point, so it will be a huge relief for customers who have booked holidays there over the next few weeks and are looking forward to the news," the statement said.

He added that the French government had not provided further details on entry requirements, including rules for children.Jet2 boss Steve Heappie said the rule change was good news for the thousands of Britons taking winter ski trips to France.

"This is the positive news skiers and snowboarders have been waiting for, and the surge in ski bookings has been sharp and immediate," he said.

Tui, who owns tour operator Crystal Ski Holidays, said bookings would increase in anticipation of relaxed rules.

"Reservations for France doubled yesterday before the announcement, and we are now expecting very positive growth following the official announcement," said Chris Logan, General Manager of Crystal Ski Holidays.

Christophe Mathieu, CEO of Brittany Ferries, said the relaxation of the rules was "a great relief," adding that "companies in the tourism sector have been struggling to survive."

"Thousands of Brittany Ferries passengers have been cut off, and millions of pounds of revenue have been lost due to draconian actions such as border closures," he said.