Travel companies are experiencing a large increase in the number of bookings for the summer since vaccination began. A break from the trend is that travelers who normally book regular flights are now turning to charter companies because they are then covered by the Package Travel Act.
”Normally a quarter choose charter, now it's close to half,” says Michael Kapil, marketing manager at Ticket.
The travel industry has experienced a steel bath since the onset of the pandemic, with a loss of over 90 percent. Tour operators are now seeing a small light at the end of the tunnel in the form of a sharp increase in bookings for the summer and next winter - although it is still from low levels.
”"Since we received positive news about the vaccine, bookings have doubled from week to week. But compared to a normal year, we are still 80-90 percent lower," says Adam Györki, press manager at charter giant Tui.
Something that stands out in the booking pattern is that next year's winter trips are already being booked now.
”"We see a positive trend and notice a great desire to travel through the surveys we do, people miss traveling and we predict a travel boom. Even though we will not reach normal levels this year, we believe in a good summer and above all a good next winter.".
Something that also stands out in the wake of the pandemic is that a larger proportion than normal choose the charter option over the regular option. According to the travel agency Ticket, about half of all trips are booked via charter companies, compared to the previous 25 percent. The reason is that charter companies make greater use of the Package Travel Act, which provides a refund for both travel and accommodation if the trip is canceled or if the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against traveling. You can also get your money back if you belong to a risk group where doctors advise against traveling or if tourist attractions or infrastructure are closed, meaning that the very purpose of your trip cannot be fulfilled.
Both Tui and Ving also offer more generous booking conditions than normal so that more people will dare to book.
”"We have introduced better options for rebooking and we promise to refund your money within seven days if the trip is cancelled," says Fredrik Henriksson, Ving's Head of Communications.
Unlike airlines, charter companies also offer free corona tests. However, whether destinations require a negative corona test varies. Spain and the Canary Islands are among those that require a negative test, while Portugal does not. Croatia has introduced requirements for covid tests if you come from countries on the EU's red list of the spread of the infection, which includes Sweden.
Currently, there are trips to Tenerife and the Canary Islands to choose from with Tui and Ving. But this summer the range will be expanded, with Greece, Cyprus and Mallorca among the most booked so far.
”"Since both Spain and the Canary Islands require negative tests, many people probably feel that it is a safe destination to fly to. We are seeing a lot of interest, but there are significantly fewer people booking compared to those who are contacting us. Many people choose to wait and take action when they are sure that the situation will not change," says Michael Kapil, Marketing Manager at Ticket.
In addition to the Canary Islands, Ticket has noticed some bookings to Dubai, even though it is a destination from a country that the Swedish Foreign Ministry advises against travel to.
”"In that case, home insurance does not apply, but instead there are airlines that have chosen to include the same type of protection in the ticket price, so many think it is worth taking that risk. Dubai also requires a recent Covid test, but we still do not recommend customers to travel anywhere that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against," says Michael Kapil.
At the EU summit on Thursday, the issue of a special vaccine passport to facilitate mobility within the Union was raised. Something that the travel industry welcomes.
”"What we have been missing during this pandemic is a harmonization of conditions in different countries, it would make it easier for everyone regardless of where you land," says Tui's Adam Györki.
Ving's Fredrik Henriksson agrees:
”"It is positive that people are talking about having a plan that is common to the EU. But it is not the only solution, not everyone will be vaccinated, so there must be alternative ways for them, for example, that they can be tested quickly."”
Source: di.se
