If you believe the experts, 2021 could be the year of travel. We know, this may sound like a stretch, considering the last few months. But multiple surveys reveal real optimism around travelling in 2021. Many people plan to travel more, feel confident about travelling in 2021, and are even planning to get out into the world early next year.
If you’re still hovering over the “book” button while browsing for your 2021 break, does this mean you should throw caution to the wind? As ever, research is the key. With it, you can make an informed choice either way.
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Will it be safe to travel in 2021?
This is often the biggest question on people’s lips made trickier by the fact that government guidance is changing all the time. That goes for our government here in the UK and other countries across the globe.
That means there’s no hard and fast, “yes, it’s safe to travel in 2021,” or not. The important thing is to keep up to speed with travel advice. Some parts of the globe have consistently had more restrictions than some and may feel riskier to book. On the other hand, if you’re thinking of booking a holiday at the other end of the UK, you might feel a little more confident.
Is it safe to book a holiday for 2021?
Now, you may feel reassured about the destination in your mind in terms of travel restrictions, but what about all the other risks of booking a holiday? You may be wondering what will happen if you have to cancel your break for whatever reason. Quite simply, is it safe to book a holiday for 2021 now?
The cautious among us may prefer to wait, but sometimes it’s good for the soul to know you have something to look forward to. A positive event to focus on. So what then? Which has published a useful and practical guide on what to consider when booking a 2021 holiday. Here are some highlights:
- Book a package deal, rather than separate flights and hotels to protect your money should a problem arise. If your destination is removed from the travel corridor list, many operators will even offer you a refund or a chance to go elsewhere.
- Check out your operator’s refund policy – as well as problems with destinations, you may encounter other issues that stop you taking your trip. The more extensive the refund policy, the better.
- Buy travel insurance as soon as you book – which will also cover you for COVID-19 related illnesses.
- Pay with a credit card – which offers you more payment protection.
Will holiday prices go up in 2021?
Right now, there are plenty of deals around, which makes the idea of getting in quick and booking a 2021 holiday even more tempting. But what about the next few months? Can you wait it out and still get a good deal for a trip away, or will prices rocket?
At the moment, it seems that booking a mainstream package holiday for the summer in 2021 doesn’t give you the best chance of securing a deal. Prices are about what you’d expect to pay on an average year, with the deals being focussed on short term plans, like this Christmas and New Year. For the patient among us, it may be worth waiting and watching this space to see what deals are released and how the next few months unfold.
Where should I go on holiday in 2021?
While you’re mulling over all the practical concerns around your 2021 summer holiday, have you forgotten to t excited about possible destinations? It’s only natural to rein in a bit of this enthusiasm at the moment, but it’s also a great exercise to whittle down the list of places to see, to find what feels safe, fitting and exciting to you.
Conde Nast has pulled together a thoughtful and inspiring list as a starter for ten. And while they, just like any of us, can’t be sure the destinations will remain open for travel next summer, they are all selected based on the current global situation. Here are some of the destinations that have made their cut:
- Chania, Crete, Greece
- South Africa
- Charleston, USA
- Costa Rica
- Shetland, Scotland
- East and West Sussex, England
- Helsinki, Finland
- United Arab Emirates
- Melides, Portugal
- Slovenia
Can I book a holiday for 2022?
When all’s said and done, 2021 may not be the year of travel for you. The turbulence of the last few months and the constantly changing situations both from the personal and practical point of view may have just put you off the idea entirely. And that’s ok! Holidays should be fun, and if the thought of it starts to eat away at you, it defeats the purpose.
If you still want something to look forward to despite all those worries, you may be thinking that booking something for 2022 is the answer. And is it? In good news, you can book a holiday for 2022 now. Certain tour operators are already promoting 2022 deals, and there are plenty of benefits for booking in advance too.
Is this a “just because you can, does it mean you should” scenario? If we’re being honest with ourselves, none of us knows what the next year will bring, and the same goes for 2022. That may make you break out in a sweat of panic, but rest assured, this can swing both ways. You can equally say that good things are on the horizon.
Ultimately, you need to feel comfortable and confident with any holiday plans you make, either this year or the next. Don’t feel pressured; think outside the box. If your holidays in 2021 are different, that’s ok, as long as they are fun. Keep that in mind and research your options thoroughly, and you’ll be able to work to something that feels good.
