My reasons to book 2022 travel NOW

My reasons to book 2022 travel NOW Planning a special trip in 2022? If you’ve parked booking a honeymoon, a birthday celebration or a big holiday due to the uncertainty, then think again and unpark! Read my 7 reasons why booking now will guarantee availability and ensure you get the most for your money. Before we go any further, let's deal with the elephant in the room. 'Are you crazy Romy, why would I part with my hard earned cash on travel with such uncertainty?' Don’t without careful consideration is my answer! I suggest you book a package that can easily be changed through a reputable, licensed and bonded travel agent or tour operator. This will ensure your money is financially protected by ATOL in the UK. Drum roll for my sales pitch…. in addition to being licensed and bonded, Travel Counsellors and I have a ‘Flexible Promise’ on many holidays whereby you can pay a small deposit and easily change the arrangements where travel restrictions remain in place. So, with the risk covered, think of the reward! Is it that island in the Maldives that was previously out of budget? Why booking now will give you the reward you desire.... 1. Confidence in travel - confidence affects demand, demand affects pricing. High demand = high prices, low demand = low prices. The uncertain future combined with inconsistent government policies to border control and traffic lights has knocked the public's confidence in travel. This has led to low demand which has resulted in low prices. Once more countries will move into the “green list “ status, confidence will be restored, demand will return and prices will increase. This means now is a great opportunity to secure a good deal for 2022 or 2023. 2. Forward bookings for 2022 - Covid has presented a unique set of circumstances with over a year of travel written off. Of those that had travel booked, many took the option of moving their holiday to 2021 and now also to 2022 or accepting airline credits or vouchers (some of which expire next year). So with few people currently booking, when they do, flights and hotels will fill quicker than normal. Demand and shortness of supply will lead to higher prices. 3. Less flight options - the sad inevitability is that it will take years for airlines to recover from Covid-19, that's assuming they do recover. Airlines are making staff redundant, pulling less profitable routes and downsizing their fleet. These actions cannot be quickly reversed when demand returns. For the traveller, this will mean less flight options, less seat availability and less competition, all likely to result in higher prices. Once the demand returns, expect to pay more for your travel. 4. Pent up demand - there is absolutely no doubt that the desire to travel is still there. Of course, there may be more use of Zoom and Microsoft Teams for business meetings however I also know many businesses just waiting to get in the skies once it is safe to do so. In fact, many have already resumed travel to an extent. Business travel also affects the demand for holiday makers. I also have many clients planning honeymoons, special birthday celebrations, bucket list retirement trips or have plans to reunite with family. In the travel industry, we're just waiting for the tap to be turned on! 5. Increased budgets - as one client put it to me 'people are going to want one hell of a holiday when all this is over'. Through my wallowing pity about the travel sector, I've realised that there are many industries that have thrived during Covid-19 and there's money out there to spend. Having been locked down for months, many of my clients have expressed a 'life is too short' attitude and will spend big when they can travel again. This is likely to bring increased demand to the luxury sector of travel. 6. Recouping the losses of 2020/21 - hotels and airlines know they need a big year in 2022 and cash flow is a real driver. Nothing will be left to chance and as soon they hear 'on your marks', airlines and hotels will be fighting to be at full capacity. 7. Sales - ....and here's the main reason I think you should book NOW! Many big decisions in life are a calculated risk. If you agree with me on points 1-6, then you'll agree it is better to book sooner rather than later. Traditionally, the months of September and January are the biggest booking months for travel and most airlines and hotels release very good offers, however due in the current situation and hotels and airlines being desperate to welcome customers to their destinations again, offers are flying around all the time. If you want to have a chat about the possibility of a special trip in 2022, please do not hesitate to contact me at romy.frow@travelcounsellors.com.