The future cost of travel is a topic discussed a lot in my industry both during and after the pandemic. Whether you are an experienced traveler or new to travel, this is something that is worth tracking.
As an Owner and Vacation Specialist of a Dream Vacations franchise we are blessed to have many resources and copious amounts of support during this unprecedented time. Between the information readily available to us along with my own contacts I have a fairly good idea of what the future in travel costs are going to be like. Keep in mind that the industry is pretty fluid right now and changes on the daily. That said, I am still certain on a few points.
The State of Travel Right Now
With the pandemic in full force throughout the year, we have watched travel go from uncertain to a full stop. The CDC continues to extend the re-opening of ports and we are currently set with a date of September 30, 2020. I do not expect to travel via cruise until 2021.
In my opinion and as much as the cruise lines would love to get back up and operating they are going to be extra cautious when they do begin. In actuality the cruising industry is getting a bad rap because the media reported so heavily on the cases onboard. It was nowhere near as bad as they made it out to be. I personally have a cruise planned for March 2021 and I know that I will be on that ship!
Airlines suffered just as much having to fly empty planes to get the necessary funding to keep them from completely folding. We all know airlines and the CEO’s make a crap ton of money, but the day to day staff, not so much. So the struggle to balance it all has been difficult. The most current number I could find was that you could assume an average cost of $25,000 per flight. Currently American Airlines is down to about 900 flights a day. If you do the math that is millions of dollars in daily operating costs.
I also do not think most airlines took it very seriously in the beginning and were business as usual. Things began to change quickly once borders both domestically and internationally began to close and flights began to get cancelled. Then the FAA had to step in to protect consumers and now we all have some flight credits stored up.
With other countries wanting to have nothing to do with Americans right now, travel became a dead stop for most. Those of us who need to travel will continue to find ways to feed that need. For me it is because, 1) it is my business and 2) I LOVE it too much to stop altogether. For others it could be business, or family related for illness or for care needs. Either way, we have been making small trips domestically and are planning bigger ones for when things open back up.
How Is This Affecting The Future Cost Of Travel?
For the foreseeable future, we will see mask requirements, social distancing and capacity reductions in place. This means resorts, cruises and any vacation destination will have less folks in one place. Since we have not been able to travel for so long, demand is already increasing for 2021.
With capacity limits at most resorts being set at 30-50%, likely through 2021, prices are going to be higher. They are not going to offer the really great deals you previously would get. Between demand and capacity they will not need to since they will be at capacity without having to offer any special rates. That does not mean that they won’t offer them at all. You just won’t see the deals that they used to offer.
Having booked two cruises already and with a continual watch on pricing, I say book it now. I already see them making changes to offers that were considered standard at one time. They want you to cruise, but capacity will be down to around 50%. That means changes to pricing, inclusives and other offers. I have clients booking out into 2022, including our own trips. Flights for those cruise dates are increasing in price, as well as hotel accommodations.
At this time, anything you purchase we recommend using a credit card instead of a debit card for extra protection and never forget to add travel insurance. Some countries now require special COVID insurance among other specific health coverages. Contact a travel agent to help verify specifications related to any travel and that your insurance protection has what you need for travel.
Get Some Help Navigating the Chaos
I am also going to recommend that you use a travel agency, preferably me. 😃 There are an abundance of reasons to do that. Vacation Specialists really are experts who have spent hours and hours educating themselves in travel, and keeping up to date with the constantly changing conditions. We do that for you, so we can provide accurate information and provide you with the best service.
Anybody can wing planning a trip, but a Vacation Specialist has knowledge and connections that can help in planning a DREAM Vacation with you. They have contacts that go deep and will sit on the phone for hours in an attempt to help their clients. They will save you countless hours, worry and concern when it feels like things are about to go awry.
Your specialist will search high and low to find you the best offers and will sometimes even offer something from their own agency as an incentive. Vacation Specialists are the best and I don’t say that because I am one. I say that because I had my own experience with one saving me. Let a Vacation Specialist be your hero!
You Should Book Now
I have said throughout, if you want to travel and still get a reasonable deal you should book now. Now is the time since things are already filling up well into 2021. Once things start to open back up, there will be a surge of people who will want to go anywhere and everywhere, because we have been unable to for so long. The future cost of travel is going to be higher.
You have not been traveling or using your vacation time for several months, so now is the time to use some of that unused vacation fund and unused time off. Plan a trip to Europe, to the beach, or anywhere, but plan now and experience life! And be sure to check out our other articles on traveling in 2020.
Living, loving, drinking, and traveling through life.
— Taunya
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