After restrictions were lifted, the booking situation for autumn and winter travel is strong.
”Last week we sold more trips than we did the same week the year before the pandemic,” says Adam Györki, communications manager at TUI.
But thousands of the company's customers have had their trips rescheduled or canceled, as it is still difficult to travel to certain destinations.
On September 24, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs lifted the pandemic-related travel advice for trips outside the EU. Swedes have now been free to travel worldwide since October 1.
”"There is no doubt that the announcement was long-awaited. The stated disadvantaging and the lifted restrictions have definitely boosted bookings," says Charlotte Hallencreutz, communications officer at Ving.
On Ving, new bookings for travel destinations in the last three weeks have increased by 63 percent compared to the previous three weeks before the announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Charlotte Hallencreutz says that the destinations that have taken off at Ving are Tenerife, which has increased by 96 percent, and Cape Verde, which has increased by 140 percent.
Adam Györki, communications manager at travel company TUI, also sees an increased attraction to the destination.
”Cape Verde has increased by 55 percent compared to before the pandemic,” he says.
In addition to Cape Verde, TUI has noticed a trend of more travel bookings towards more exotic destinations, such as Mexico and Thailand.
But trips to these countries have not started to the extent that TUI had planned, which has triggered chain effects throughout the tour operator's booking system. Thousands of customers have had their trips rescheduled or cancelled altogether, and there is great anger and frustration among customers who have also been unable to reach the company's customer service, which Aftonbladet was the first to report.
Other companies are also reporting disruptions, but not to the same extent as TUI, as they have chosen to focus on other travel destinations.
At the travel company Apollo, we see a trend towards an active vacation, something that has become stronger after the pandemic.
”"What's cool is that more people want to go on an active vacation. We have sports hotels that have a wide range of sports and those hotels have been fully booked all year round, where we have had the opportunity to open new hotels," says Sandra Miller Kinge, communications manager at Apollo.
Among popular activities, padel is an upstart.
”"Padel has been the most appreciated activity, but crossfit has also been popular. Many people want to move and keep doing activities, people have started moving during the pandemic and want to continue doing it and also do it during the holidays," she says.
For all travel companies, bookings for the fall have been comparable to, or even exceeded, bookings in 2019, the year before the pandemic.
”"Now it looks good, even better than a normal year if you look at the bookings in recent weeks. Last week we sold more trips than we did in the same week the year before the pandemic," says Adam Györki.
For those who are going on a trip this fall and winter, Sandra Miller Kinge recommends traveling responsibly.
”"It is very important that as a traveler you are aware of entry regulations. Many people will also need a new passport again now that travel is starting to pick up again, so it is important to keep an eye on it, check travel insurance, there are travel insurances that cover quarantine in case you go and get infected. Check and make sure you have good travel insurance."”
Adam Györki also recommends making sure you have proof of vaccination and that your trip is covered by the Package Travel Act.
”I think it provides very good protection for consumers, especially during uncertain times,” he says.
Source:DI:SE
