If you’ve had trips cancelled or postponed, you’re no doubt itching to get away and rediscover the thrill of travel. As more countries open up and vacation planning ramps up, many popular destinations are booking out.
Don’t worry, we’re here to share our vacation planning tips to help you work around some common constraints. Read on as we take you through why you should book as soon as possible to avoid missing out on great deals.
Flight prices are on the rise
As countries gradually reopen their borders, more people are preparing to travel, which means airlines are facing increasing demand. To avoid paying exorbitant prices for flights, we recommend booking early. This way you can get access to cheaper flight tickets and better deals due to less competition.
Consider this.
Flights from London to New York for January 2 to January 10 2022 are currently priced at about £630.
London to New York return flights for the period between December 2 and December 10 are currently available at £309 with British Airways.
As you can see, you can save up to 50 percent on airfares by planning and booking well in advance.
Hotels are booking out
The hospitality industry was one of the worst hit during the pandemic, so as travel returns to pre-pandemic levels in some places, the prices of hotels in popular places have skyrocketed as they try to recoup some of their losses.
For example, one report found prices in Dubai have risen 18% since May 2021. In other popular areas, some hotels are already completely booked out over holiday periods, so make sure you book early to avoid missing out.
Beat the peak season crowds
When you are planning a big trip, you want to make sure it is foolproof so nothing can potentially derail all your meticulous planning.
For instance, if you plan on renting a car to drive around in Alaska or Hawaii, you will have to take into account that there might be a scarcity of cars in the summer. You need to plan well in advance to ensure you get the right vehicle for your trip.
Similarly, spas in the Maldives may book out over the UK holiday season, and incredible bucket-list activities such as visiting Giraffe Manor in Kenya and Gorilla Tracking in Uganda are in such high demand, they’re already booked out well in advance.
When is the best time to book?
We recommend the following timelines to ensure you are on track.
Preliminary planning
The best time to start vacation planning is at least 12-18 months in advance so you have time to research the best times to travel to your dream destination. If you are interested in staying at a luxury lodge in Africa’s game reserves, for instance, you’ll need to book at least a year in advance as they book out very quickly.
Book hotels and flights
Once you’ve committed to a trip and destination, booking your flight tickets and hotels at least six months in advance will ensure you get the best airfares and hotel rates.
This is also a good time to purchase travel insurance.
Transits and tours
Once you have your hotels and flights booked in, you can get a headstart on booking other significant details such as transits, tours, festivals and events that you want to experience.
As you get closer to your departure date, check for COVID-19 protocols and updates to ensure you have the necessary paperwork and tests to travel. Our team of experts are always kept up to date on changes to your planned destination, so they will also keep you informed of any changes.
Start vacation planning with these sample itineraries
Gorillas in Uganda Tour
Sri Lanka, Maldives and Dubai Multi Centre Holiday
Ready to start planning? Get in touch with us to book your next big holiday.
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