Oklahoma Travel Agency Sees Big Increase In Bookings

TULSA, Okla. - Now that some travel restrictions are being lifted, a lot of Oklahomans are beginning to book vacations.

Many of these trips are for June and July since many people say they simply can’t stay in the house any longer.

A local travel agent said her company has seen a 50 percent increase in bookings over the past couple weeks.

Travel consultant Shelbee Milwee said she expects dormant planes to start disappearing from being grounded as she gets more calls every day about last minute scheduling now that fears of the coronavirus are dwindling.

Because of the downturn in travel world-wide, airlines parked a lot of their unused jets on empty airport tarmacs. American Airlines is one of those with grounded planes, 80 of which are sitting at Tulsa International Airport.

"They're getting stir crazy,” Milwee said. “Everyone doesn't want to stay at home, even if it’s to Texas or Arizona just something to get out of the house.”

Markie Owens is one of those people who is itching to get out of her house. She said her and her boyfriend are heading to Florida in three weeks.

"I just need a break, I need to get away, I've done the same routine every day I need to switch up, a vacation would be nice,” Owens said.

She said she does see her older family members almost daily, so she is going to be extra cautious the days and weeks after she returns from their trip to make sure she doesn’t come down with any symptoms.

Milwee said she’s been telling her clients the same thing each time they book to make sure they have fun but take precautions.

"Protect yourselves. If the CDC is saying wear a mask, make sure you're covered and taken care of,” Milwee said.

If you do plan to fly soon, officials say you should give yourself an extra hour at the airport to get through the temperature screens and symptom tests.