As we find ourselves amidst a second wave of the pandemic it might seem absurd to suggest that now is a great time to be booking a holiday and in this feature we aim to explain why we believe it is.
There is no doubt that the landscape has changed in the Travel Industry and that booking a trip is far more complicated than it might have been in the past. For the most part we took for granted just how easy it was to book our dream trip and travel with little to consider apart from what to pack and which sunscreen to use.
For now, quarantine, PCR tests, entry requirements, the reputation and stability of the company with whom we book, alongside confidence that it will all be just as we expect when we arrive are all major considerations.
BUT the positive news is with a great Travel Agent to help you navigate the above, there really are some great deals to be found if you know where to look. Tour Operators are increasingly flexible with booking conditions allowing you to confirm your holiday for 2021 and beyond with a small deposit, lock in the price and have the flexibility to change or cancel your booking with no charges should you so wish. Many hotels around the world have enticing offers to encourage bookings right now with discounts of up to 50%, free upgrades and extra added value offers.
The green shoots of recovery are there and many major Cruise Lines and Tour Operators have released their 2022 programmes, unheard of so far advance but in whole due to the limited capacity for 2021. With so many postponed holidays this year put back to next and airlines cutting capacity and routes there just is not the availability for 2021. This also allows those more nervous to secure a trip further in advance and still enjoy having a holiday to look forward to, which will be a great benefit to their mental health and wellbeing through the winter months to come.
On 2nd November The Travel Industry launches ‘Holiday to Help Out’ a scheme designed to replicate the governments ‘Eat out to Help out’, with exclusive discounts for the consumer from almost 100 leading holiday companies. ‘Holiday To Help Out’ is an initiative organised by travel media business TTG, supported by companies from across the UK travel industry, to excite customers about holidays and highlight fantastic offers. These special offers are available for bookings made between 2-8 November, for travel in 2020/21 or beyond, and through travel agents only.
We have recently introduced a new marketing campaign Ask us …., aimed at tackling customer concerns about travel head-on. The campaign was created by The Travel Network Group, of which we are a member, in response to customer research which found concerns about safety and wellness overseas, combined with confusion over refunds and guarantees is deterring people from booking holidays.
With the new corridors of The Canary Islands and the Maldives being introduced last week demand has risen, added to Antigua, Barbados and other Caribbean Islands there is the opportunity now for the weary amongst us to escape for some well needed rest, relaxation and sunshine.
It’s important to remember as the world opens up fully, the pent up demand for travel will be unleashed, demand will be at an all time high and prices will increase in line with that demand.
Our advice, avoid the rush, avoid the price increases, take advantage of the great offers out there and have something lovely to look forward to, this will see you through the long, dark winter months ahead.
The team are ready and waiting and happy to guide you through the complexities – we aim to make travel far less complicated and give you something to look forward to whether that be this year, next or 2022.
