The story so far and what’s to come
The good news for all who are planning to get away on holiday this year keeps coming. Most recently, for fully vaccinated travellers, pre-departure tests for returning to England were scrapped and the Day 2 PCR test was replaced by the cheaper lateral flow test.
Prime Minister, Boris Johnson explained the reasons for these changes when he said, “When the Omicron variant was first identified we rightly introduced travel restrictions to slow its arrival in our country. But now Omicron is so prevalent these measures are having limited impact on the growth in cases while continuing to pose significant cost on our travel industry.”
A report out this week from the WHO also modified its advice on international travel bans stating; “Lift or ease international traffic bans as they do not provide added value and continue to contribute to the economic and social stress experienced by States Parties.” The failure of travel restrictions introduced after the detection and reporting of the Omicron variant to limit international spread of the virus demonstrates the ineffectiveness of such measures over time. Travel measures (e.g. masking, testing, isolation/quarantine, and vaccination) should be based on risk assessments and avoid placing the financial burden on international travellers.
The next easing of travel restrictions for the UK is most likely to be the scrapping of the Day 2 test altogether for full vaccinated travellers – and that announcement could come in the next few days.
How does this effect your holiday travel plans?
The travel industry has experienced a surge in enquires in the first weeks of January and is struggling to meet the immediate demand. Holiday suppliers, airlines and resorts are all trying to ‘up capacity’ quickly as they face the double whammy of the significant number of postponed bookings which have been rolled over into this year from 2021 and the new demand for holidays as early as the February half-term, Easter and of course the tradition summer break. In a lot of cases some of the best resorts are already almost full, and unfortunately that lack of availability pushes up the price of what is left.
Book early to avoid disappointment
You will have heard this phrase before, but it has never been more true than now! It is the only way to ensure that you get what you want and not just what is left.
Most of the great deals for February have sold out and Easter is selling fast so if you want to find some Spring sunshine you need ‘act smart and act fast’.
Firstly, it is worth considering not just where you are going to book your holiday but how you are going to book it. There are certainly still some challenges with most destinations in terms of entry requirements and testing. Travel insurance is also something that too many holidaymakers under-estimate in terms of the quality of cover a policy may or may not offer and what level of cover is deemed acceptable by certain countries. The consequences can be severe and costly if you fail to comply with these requirements.
How to book your next holiday
As a Personal Travel Consultant, I have the experience of navigating all the entry rules and regulations of destinations all over the world, which has enabled me to help my clients to avoid the many, potentially expensive, pitfalls of ‘going it alone’. Also, in case you weren’t aware my travel advice and booking service is free.
So, if you would like to book with confidence a holiday experience you will remember for all the right reasons this year – act fast, act smart and get in contact with me.
Others already have, don’t get left behind!
As a Personal Travel Consultant, I am able to organise fantastic holidays all over the world that are completely ABTA and ATOL protected. Also being part of the Hays Travel Group, I have the backing and resource of the largest independent travel group in the UK – meaning great service and prices!