SHIFTING OUR TRAVEL HABITS FOR GOOD
Travellers picked up some bad habits during the pandemic.
No, not the fistfights on airplanes or blowups at frontline workers - those are never acceptable. Justified in an era of lockdowns and border closures - there's some simply not necessary anymore.
LIKE BOOKING LAST MINUTE.
After returning to destinations, still weary of super spreader events or new COVID-19 variants, travel suppliers had to do lots to gain consumer confidence - as possible trips seemed less feasible due to new travel restrictions or documentation requirements - trying to save their trip investments.
A lot of airlines largely retired change fees for most flights (fare difference still applies) and hotels loosened some of their policies to be more flexible.
Consumers started to book trips more last minute. Made sense at the time - cause who wanted to drop a whole lotta dough on a trip a year in advance, when you didn't know what the travel landscape would look like by the time it was ready to go?!
During the pandemic, you'all were generally happy to be travelling again. I know I was! You understood the speed bumps on the journey - venturing back into the travel world was daunting.
Now with the industry normalizing, the travel suppliers are finding customers showing up again in droves - but last minute still - wreaking havoc on travel systems.
The travel industry requires a lot of up-front cash outlay to operate. They rely on accurate volume forecasts.
If you're operating a resort in Alaska during the short summer season - your customers need to book farther in advance than other destinations. When early spring comes, the resorts start recruiting for the anticipated forecasted occupancy, must order provisions and prepare well in advance.
Based on their bookings at that time, they calculate maybe needing one less shuttle driver, one less housekeeper and one less restaurant server. But by mid-June, everyone's nerves are shot, cause bookings rolled in later than expected - and now they're understaffed, have to reprovision more often and at a greater expense, if they're even able to get them now. Staff and supply chain shortages are global.
Most importantly, they're not able to provide the experience promised their guests.
Not to say nobody books last minute - pre-pandemic they knew when the bookings came in and had gotten pretty good at forecasting volume, based on past trends.
The "new normal" booking pattern doesn't provide any blueprint just yet.
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?
There's benefits to booking in advance. Early comers get the full range of options, allowing you to pick the experience you want - down to the finest detail.
Cruise passengers find good availability with a range of ship cabins to choose from, dining times you want and get first crack at the popular shore excursions.
Land-based travellers find a wide range of accommodations and transportation availability.
Being able to travel during the pandemic was perhaps enough - but now you can afford to be choosy about your preferences, such as your favourite recently-renovated building at your favourite resort.
Many destinations are booking ahead of their historic curves for 2023 - Europe has seen a significant rebound for summer and those who don't book early, will face disappointment.
For Travel Planners such as myself, it gives me more of the most valuable commodity - the only unreplaceable asset when it comes to planning and delivering top notch travel experiences - TIME.
Don't wait - REACH OUT TO ME before you're ready to plan your next travel adventure - let's get busy together!