COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough a much-needed boost for global travel industry
Yes, it’s been an incredibly sobering couple of weeks as COVID-19 cases have spiked across North America and Europe, and global travel restrictions have been further tightened. But you know me, I’m an eternal optimist, and with this sad news has come a very bright light at the end of the COVID tunnel. Vaccine manufacturers including Pfizer (BioNTech), Moderna and Astra Zeneca have shared the wonderful news that their vaccine candidates are about 95% effective. This means great things for our global population, including the travelling public. Finally, our global travel industry will soon be ready for boarding, and eventual take-off.
Couple this with testing on arrival that is currently in use at Calgary Airport and will soon be rolled out at Toronto Pearson and Ottawa and we are really making headway!
First wave of travel dedicated to family
It has been a very difficult time for those who love to travel but it has been an even more difficult time for those separated from loved ones and those in long-distance relationships, separated by thousands of miles. My prediction is that the first wave of travellers will certainly be those who are travelling to visit people they have missed so deeply during the pandemic.
Travel bubbles are the wave of the future
This may mean that small bubbles of family or friends will travel together perhaps meeting in a location where both of the bubbles can go. For example, I may go to St. Lucia and meet some family members from overseas there. Public health protocols and safety are taken very seriously in St. Lucia, and testing is mandatory before arrival along with safety protocols being enforced while in various destinations.
Romantic getaways and big day celebrations
The next wave of travel searches will probably be those who missed out on a once-in-a-lifetime big trip such as a honeymoon or anniversary trip that had been planned for months, or even years. These people will wish that they had not waited so long to get back on a plane to celebrate the big milestones with those they love.
Now boarding, everyday travel
As we approach the start date of COVID-19 vaccine distribution across North America, Europe, and other global destinations, we will also begin to see more extensive pre-travel testing. With this heightened focus on public health protocols and screening, we can expect regular travellers will start to research booking their trips. There’s a comfort and reassurance knowing the vaccine is on its way. This is when we will see the industry begin to more fully rebound, and the after-effect of that pent-up desire to travel.
If there’s a time to book travel, it’s now
I feel that if ever there was a good time to book travel for the year ahead, it is now. I happen to know a thing or two about travel pricing. And, one thing I do know is that tour operators love to charge more when we want the travel product more, and they charge less when we’re not as interested. The industry works on the law of supply and demand, just like any other. So, don’t delay – book those amazing destinations today.
Let me share an illustrative case-in-point: Christmas travel to the Caribbean will cost you over $3000 for airfare/accommodation. For the very same flight, resort and room that would typically cost you roughly $1500 at any other time of year, aside from holiday time or March break. So, what’s your takeaway from this? I suggest that you dust off your credit cards now and look for the many deals that are out there at the moment for future travel.
Discounts are deep and availability is good but as urgency begins to show a demand, the supply will go down, and I can tell you that the prices will go up. So, what should you do? I suggest you grab a computer, do your research and find deals that are out there now. The deals will not get any better.
