The holidays for 2021 you should book before it’s too late - Telegraph.co.uk

The holidays for 2021 you should book before it’s too late - Telegraph.co.uk
African safari industry suffering as Covid-19 restrictions continue on tourism - Travel Daily News International
Cruise lines on Canada ban: We're not giving up on Alaska yet - Travel Weekly

Posted: 11 Dec 2020 12:00 AM PST

It is Alfred Marshall who is usually credited with identifying the idea of "supply and demand" – the Victorian academic having explained the concept in his 1890 tome Principles of Economics. Now yes – it is possible that you will never have read a duller opening statement to a travel feature. But bear with us. This is relevant. Because rarely has there been a time when the normally simple process of booking a holiday has been as subject to Marshall's twin financial streams as it is now – or will be in the coming months.

The last year, of course, has been fraught with the urge to get away. Which of us, in the worst of 2020, has not fantasised about an exotic beach, an exciting city or a meandering highway – and wished that we were sun-bathing, strolling or driving in that very context? But if demand for travel has been widespread, supply has been anything but.

"Thanks" to Covid, borders have been shut, quarantine has become the key issue no-one had worried about before, and travellers have been officially advised to stay at home. Many of us did. This is about to change. With a vaccine here, and the world likely to open up again incrementally, supply is back in the game – and about to meet demand head-on. But in some cases, it may be overwhelmed by it. A planet that has been stuck in its own front room since March is very keen to rediscover the horizon – and, in some places, and in certain segments of 2021, there may be more holidaymakers than there is space available.

Huw Owen has spotted this as a fledgling trend. As executive director of TravelLocal, a company which specialises in connecting tourists to on-the-ground experts and local tour operators, he has already noticed pinch-points in availability. These are occurring in places as varied as Normandy (where, with the D-Day commemorations having been all but virtual in 2020, hotels are booking up for May and June) and Uganda (where only 152 gorilla-trekking permits are issued each day for Mgahinga Gorilla and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks – a small number which is being consumed at pace). The lack of options even extends to the heart of South America. "We are having trouble finding availability in some of the Brazilian Amazon's smaller lodges, and on some cruises, for June through to September 2021," he explains. "This has always been a hectic period, as, with the rivers at their highest, it's one of the best times to explore the region."

However, 2021 will be complicated by an additional factor. "Usually, in November and December, I find more availability for bookings starting in June of the following year," Owen continues. "But what has changed is that a lot of people who cancelled their trips in 2020 have postponed to similar dates in 2021."

This is also true of Morocco – where group tours that were scheduled for 2020 have been pushed into the shoulder seasons of March-April and September-October 2021, where they are safe from the hottest weather. "With the likes of Marrakech and Fes," Owen adds, "we are finding that favoured accommodation is becoming limited - because many travellers are booked in from 2020."

It won't just be foreign destinations that will be busy next year, Cornwall is more popular than ever Credit: Manfred Gottschalk/Getty

In fact, Africa may prove especially prone to such "pinch-points". While social distancing should become a thing of the past, plenty of tourists will still look for holidays that offer privacy and room to breathe – and safaris will be popular, says Chris McIntyre of Expert Africa. If availability is tight, he recommends looking beyond the big lodges to a break which keeps on the move. "While staying in a tented mobile camp may sound like roughing it, a wilderness safari led by a knowledgeable guide can be a brilliant alternative," he says. "It's all about the bush experience, but all the creature comforts are there too. Comfortable beds, private bathrooms, wonderful service – and excellent food."

It may not just be the peak months where the "sold out" signs could soon be flashing. For Peter Sommer of Peter Sommer Travels – which is best known for its gulet cruises in Turkish and Greek waters – it is September, rather than July and August, for which enquiries are especially common. "Since July this year, 63 per cent of our bookings have been for trips starting in September 2021," he reveals. He suspects that, while the weather plays a role in this in this – the Aegean can be much more pleasant as autumn waltzes in – travellers are also adopting a wait-and-see approach to their next big holiday. "People are wanting to book breaks later in 2021 – because they think there is more chance that the pandemic situation will have calmed down by then," he suggests.

This is not to say that you need to panic, or rush into a booking. There will be plenty of holidays on offer. But if you have a particular destination and window in mind for 2021, it may now be time to look ahead. The 20 suggestions below are all, to a varying extent, in the pinch-point zone. Travel, it seems, is on the way back – and not a minute too soon.

Families

Finnish Lapland

It might seem premature to wonder what Santa Claus will be doing for Christmas 2021 when he hasn't yet packed his sleigh for 2020 – but with this year's window for holidays that go in search of the great man in Lapland all but smashed by lockdown, attention is turning to next winter. "We've seen demand grow in recent weeks for family Christmas holidays in 2021. And with most people who had booked for this year postponing to next, there are already capacity issues," says Sue McDonald of the Artisan Travel Company. "Our trips run in small groups, and we use local hotels, which can only take a certain number of families." The "Christmas in a Jeris Cottage" trip sold by the group's Activities Abroad arm (01670 789 991; activitiesabroad.com) – a seven-night escape to Finland, slated for December 19-26, that features a Santa encounter - is already subject to carried-over bookings, but still has room from £2,795 per adult and £1,565 per child, with flights.

The locals in Lapland are keen to welcome back families Credit: Ignacio Palacios/Getty

Mallorca

Villa specialist Vintage Travel (01954 261 431; vintagetravel.co.uk) saw a 152 per cent leap in bookings between October and November, with the biggest growth relating to the Balearic Islands. "News of the vaccine is probably the main factor," says the company's Stephen Ellison. "Coupled with clients rescheduling breaks from this year to next, many of our most popular villas are already taken for 2021 – we are now seeing bookings at a level we would not expect until February in a normal year. We're advising people to book as soon as possible." The two-bedroom La Tierra Buena – near south-coast Cala Ferrera – is still available for two of the four weeks in August – from £2,438 in total (flights extra).

Japan

Spring in Kyoto

Japan's fabled cherry-blossom season was one of Covid-19's first travel victims – the shuttering of the planet in March putting paid to any thought of visiting Kyoto amid the peak pinkness of April. The inevitable knock-on in demand is visible on Inside Japan's (0117 244 3380; insidejapantours.com) departures board – 12 of the 22 group trips it has slated for March and April have limited capacity, or have sold out. However, you can still slip onto the "All-In Japan" odyssey that is due to begin in Tokyo on April 10 – a 12-night tour that will enjoy three days of Kyoto in bloom. From £6,090 a head, flights extra.

Japan's cherry blossom attracts the masses in spring Credit: Prasit photo

Summer in Tokyo

Japan will also be a travel hotspot in the middle of next year. Prime minister Yoshihide Suga declared in September that his nation "is determined to host the [postponed] Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games as proof that humanity has defeated the pandemic". These two quadrennial extravaganzas are planned for July 23-August 8 and August 24-September 5 respectively, and will put pressure on hotels in the capital, even for those not interested in the sport. Stubborn Mule Travel (01728 752 751; stubbornmuletravel.com) recommends early booking of its 14-day "Highlights of Japan" package, especially if you want to take it as a summer trip for a family of four (from £14,000 in total – with flights).

The beach

Samos

The financial impact of Covid will be visible in pared-back flight timetables and reduced access to certain destinations. These may include the Greek island of Samos, which is currently due to greet just one direct flight a week from the UK next summer, "essentially halving the capacity that existed until 2019," advises Ghislain Sireilles of Cachet Travel (020 8847 8700; cachet-travel.co.uk). "Availability is already tight for popular months," he adds, though there is still room at Princess Tia Studios, a complex of 14 self-catering units on the south coast. A week in August starts at £1,138 a head, with (Gatwick) flights.

Many will be yearning for a week in the Greek sunshine Credit: Getty

The Seychelles

According to wedding website Hitched.co.uk, 71 per cent of British couples-to-be have postponed their big day in 2020 – and 90 per cent of these refuseniks have delayed to 2021. This means a lot of rearranged honeymoons – 80 per cent of Original Travel's (020 7978 7333; originaltravel.co.uk) recent calls have been about post-nuptial trips. In other words, there will be a rush to the top resorts – like Six Senses Zil Payson, which is part of Original's nine-day "Private Island Seychelles" escape. From £4,840 a head - with flights.

Africa

Morocco

While the pushing back of 2020 trips has placed pressure on availability at some riads (see introduction), TravelLocal (0117 325 7898; travellocal.com) is still offering detailed tours of the most alluring North African country that doesn't have pyramids. These include a 17-day "Morocco Trip of a Lifetime" – best taken in spring or autumn – which tarries in Marrakech, but also ticks off historic cities such as Ouarzazate, Fes, Rabat, Chefchaouen, Casablanca, and Essaouira. From £3,920 per person – not including flights.

Rwanda

If gorilla-trekking permits are being snapped up in Uganda, next-door Rwanda still has capacity for primate encounters in 2021 – according to Expert Africa (020 3405 6666; expertafrica.com). The safari specialist recommends August as an ideal time. The eighth month is the end of Rwanda's dry season – which means the mountain trails are not yet fiendishly slippery. Of course, this also makes for demand, but there is still scope to book the 14-night "Golden Monkey Safari" – which spends its last two days with the amazing apes of Volcanoes National Park. August prices begin at £8,220 a head (including flights).

There's still the chance to see primates in Rwanda next year Credit: Danita Delimont

Tanzania

With its many lodges and open spaces, Tanzania will be a reliable choice if safari breaks prove particularly popular in 2021 – although you may want to move swiftly if you wish to glimpse prime locations like the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti (which can be especially busy in the Great Migration months of July and August). Rainbow Tours (020 8131 7914; rainbowtours.co.uk) covers all bases in its "Tanzania's Four Northern Parks & Beach" – a 14-day affair that splices the above hotspots to Tarangire and Lake Manyara National Parks, plus the beaches of Zanzibar. From £5,130 per person – including flights.

Cruises

The Greek Aegean

The demand for the September editions of the gulet cruises sold by Peter Sommer Travels (01600 888 220; petersommer.com) will not preclude new bookings. There are still cabins on an eight-day voyage from Kos to Patmos planned for September 19-26 (from £2,875 a head), and a 15-day Cyclades tour slated for August 29-September 12 (from £4,525 a head), but interested parties shouldn't delay. Flights extra in both cases.

Antarctica

The solar eclipse that will darken the sky over the frozen continent on December 4 2021 has been on many adventurers' to-do lists for a couple of years. But while lots of voyages south have already pulled up their sales gang-planks, options do remain. Among them is the 24-day wildlife-focused trip, forging in and out of Ushuaia – via the Falklands and South Georgia, as well as Antarctica – that Naturetrek (01962 733 051; naturetrek.co.uk) has planned for November 22-December 15. From £16,595 per person - including flights.

An Antarctica cruise is an adventure like no other Credit: Andrew Peacock/Getty

The Danube

Since news of the vaccine arrived, Uniworld (0808 168 9231; uniworld.com) has seen a surge in enquiries about its "Generations" programme of cruises – river voyages targeted at multi-generational family groups. These are expected to sell well following a year of isolation, and grandchildren spoken to through Zoom windows. The July 30 edition of the eight-day "Authentic Danube" sailing from Nuremberg to Vienna falls into this bracket. Child-friendly excursions will include a treasure hunt in Passau, and a Bavarian forest adventure day. Adult prices start at £2,399 a head – children 4-17 at £1,799 (with flights).

European journeys

The "Orient Express"

There will be plenty of bottled-up demand – and a good number of bookings carried over from 2020 – for western Europe's most fabled luxury rail service. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express has been unable to operate a single train from London to Venice this year. Spaces, though, are still on offer. Not least via the "Signature Journey 2021" sold by Planet Rail (01347 825 292; planetrail.co.uk); a six-day tour which spends a night in the lap of the Swiss Alps at Montreux. From £3,095 a head, including all travel.

Camino de Santiago

Spain has endured a hard 2020 in terms of tourism. When it has not been battling Covid, it has found itself on the end of overly-nervous British travel restrictions – its mainland was removed from the list of official "travel corridors" for UK holidaymakers as early as July 25. However, this is not the only reason why its most feted pilgrimage route may be oversubscribed next year. "All things 'Camino' will be in great demand due to the fact that 2021 is the holy year of Xacobeo, which arrives in a pattern of six, five, six and 11 years," explains Andy McCulloch of Casas Cantabricas (01223 328 721; caminos.co.uk). "The last Xacobeo was in 2010 – so, coupled with bookings bounced from this year, demand will be at its highest." Nonetheless, his company sells a nine-night "Camino del Frances NC2" self-drive that follows what is "historically the most important and most travelled route" to Santiago de Compostela – via the likes of the Rioja region, Burgos and Leon, beginning in Navarra. Prices start at £800 a head, including car hire, but not flights.

Explore Spain on the Camino de Santiago route Credit: Getty

UK

Cornwall

The county at England's south-east tip welcomed two million visitors between the easing of Covid restrictions at the start of July, and the end of September. This is a habit that is sure to stick, with Brexit likely to make foreign travel a little less convenient from January – and there is no harm in searching for a summer property now. Sykes Holiday Cottages (01244 356 666; sykescottages.co.uk) has a raft of possibilities in the region. The pressure on bookings is clear in the likes of Sleepy Fox (ref 905070), a two-bedroom retreat that, despite its semi-remoteness (Blisland, near Bodmin), has but one remaining available week in August, and one in July. The latter (beginning on July 24) costs £1,298.

Scottish Highlands

The reliance on Britain for a 2021 holiday may stretch all the way to the top. McKinlay Kidd (0141 260 9260; mckinlaykidd.com) is even anticipating tight availability in the UK's northernmost archipelago, where the closure of two hotels in 2020 has compounded accommodation issues. Still, there should be capacity enough to underpin the company's eight-night "See Shetland Differently" holiday – which allows for leisurely exploration of this North-Sea endgame. From £1,085 a head – with hire car, and flights from Edinburgh.

South America

Machu Picchu

Since 2002, when the Peruvian government introduced a permit system to slow access to the country's most iconic historic site, and prevent over-tourism damaging the Inca Trail which leads to it, Machu Picchu has witnessed days when its gate is locked to latecomers. Permits are not yet on sale for 2021, but with numbers capped at 500 per day (including guides and porters, as well as tourists; see incatrailreservations.com) - and the authorities saying that passes booked for 2020 can be deferred to a new date - demand will certainly outstrip supply on occasion. The overspill may even extend into 2022. However, Explore (01252 884 243; explore.co.uk) is still dispensing a 14-day "Heights of Peru and Machu Pichu" group trip. It has a departure scheduled for each of May, June and October (with two planned for September), and advises early booking. From £3,101 a head, with flights.

Trekking to Machu Picchu will be back on the menu next year Credit: Gaile Juknyte / EyeEm/Getty

Chile

Journey Latin America (020 3553 1554; journeylatinamerica.co.uk) sees pinch-points on the horizon for Chilean Patagonia. "Torres del Paine National Park has a short high season (November-March), and although it feels a way off, 2021-22 will be in demand, as travellers rearrange visits postponed during the pandemic," says product manager David Nichols. "If you fancy a trip, it is worth making plans now, while prices are on hold." One option is the company's 14-night "Active Chile Trek in Torres del Paine", which spends five days hiking this land of glaciers and lakes. From £4,410 a head (flights extra).

Skiing

Zermatt

With resorts currently shut in Austria, France, Germany and Italy, the new season is likely to be weighted towards its later months – though less so in Switzerland, which has defied its neighbours to open its slopes this month. Of course, Zermatt is a fine choice – its altitude and its year-round glacier (see matterhornparadise.ch) dictating that you can ski deep into spring. A week's half-board stay at the four-star Hotel Schoenegg, flying from Stansted on April 3, starts at £1,398 a head via Inghams (01483 938 175; inghams.co.uk).

Zermatt sits in the shadow of the iconic Matterhorn Credit: Lee Yiu Tung

Further afield

Alaska

The Covid effect can even be felt in America's northernmost state. The season at Brooks Lodge – a hallowed hideaway in Katmai National Park and Preserve, where travellers gather to watch bears pluck salmon from the adjacent falls – is very short (July-August), and 2020 postponements have further hampered availability. However, Wildlife Trails (0800 999 4334; wildlifetrails.co.uk) has found itself with unexpected spaces on its five-day "Just Brooks Falls & Bears" safari, after a group of this year's clients were forced to cancel. Six slots remain – from £2,390 per person (flights extra). A wildlife golden ticket.

African safari industry suffering as Covid-19 restrictions continue on tourism - Travel Daily News International

Posted: 20 Aug 2020 12:00 AM PDT

SafariBookings.com, an online marketplace for African safari tours, recently ran its sixth monthly survey among 344 safari tour operators. The survey's aim was to acquire a detailed understanding of the impact in the safari industry from the downturn in travel associated with the coronavirus pandemic. The results were in line with the previous five surveys – an overwhelming number of tour operators are suffering from a decline in bookings of at least 75%. This is a horrendous figure for an industry which so many people rely on in East and southern Africa.

As one operator told, "The impact of the virus is global and has been devastating for many people. Of course, the safari business in Tanzania is no exception. We have seen a decrease of more than 90% in bookings and requests, and we have been closed for more than 4 months now." And in Uganda one operator simply said, "This pandemic has affected the tourism sector to the extent that since February I have not received any quotes or bookings for safaris."

Around 91% of operators said they had lost at least three quarters of the bookings they normally rely upon at this time of year. An extraordinary drop in business with many operators unable to afford to even hire local staff. A Namibian operator summed up the situation in Southern Africa, "In Namibia, South Africa and Botswana, our tourism is suffering badly without our usual international clients. Many places have closed until further notice, many people have lost their jobs. It's really sad times for tourism."

Seventy percent of operators who responded to our survey said that cancellations had increased by at least 75% on existing bookings. Less than 4% said it was business as usual. "Covid-19 has affected our business negatively, and caused us to lose some of our staff members as most of our clients have cancelled for this year," an operator from Namibia told.

As countries such as Kenya and Tanzania become beacons of hope for the safari industry, restarting international flights, there is also a more positive tone taking its first tentative steps from some tour operators. "There are signs that some recovery will begin, probably in the next month once the border between Tanzania and Kenya opens, and as more flights are starting – we believe that the chances are high that business will improve by at least 50%."

This operator from Kenya even saw the pandemic as an opportunity for improvement, "The pandemic has definitely affected business in the negative. However, but on the other hand it has caused us to think deeper about our business model, which has resulted in us designing a more strategic model that will be able to remain viable even in a crisis."

Cruise lines on Canada ban: We're not giving up on Alaska yet - Travel Weekly

Posted: 05 Feb 2021 12:00 AM PST

Cruise lines have not canceled their upcoming Alaska cruises, expressing hope that there will be a way to save the season despite Canada's extension of its cruise ban into 2022.

The government of Canada on Thursday announced an extension of its cruise ship ban for one year, until next February. And unless the U.S. gives cruise ships relief from the Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA), which mandates that foreign-flagged ships call on at least one foreign port on any U.S. itinerary, the ruling would effectively ends any hopes for large-ship cruising in Alaska this summer

Uncruise Adventures, American Cruise Lines and Lindblad Expeditions reminded cruisers that they are not impacted by Canada's cruise ban extension.

In order to satisfy the PVSA, itineraries to Alaska generally start, end or call in Vancouver or Victoria, British Columbia.

CLIA told Travel Weekly earlier this month that if Canada's restrictions were likely to remain in effect "for an indeterminate period, the cruise industry may consider asking for temporary relief from the PVSA." So far, the association says it hopes to "operationalize a path forward" with the Canadian government.

Travel advisors around the country said they would stand behind any push for PVSA relief.

"The industry needs to back CLIA as they push for PSVA relief to help get the attention this needs," said Vicky Garcia COO of Cruise Planners. "This has tremendous economic impact on so many, not just cruise lines, but so many small businesses, including the ports and those local vendors, and of course, travel advisors. It would've been understandable for Canada to delay until June or July to ensure safety; however, a year is absurd and very damaging to not only our industry but the economy."

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings said that it has not canceled its cruises that visit Canadian ports while it reviews the order and works through "all available options."

"We are currently exploring several initiatives that may allow such cruises to continue, especially for the important Alaska season," a company spokesperson said. "Given the fluidity of the current environment, we will also continue to work with the Canadian government to amend their current suspension. We are working through all available options as quickly as possible and as a result we have not canceled our 2021 cruises that visit Canadian ports. We will continue to keep all travel partners and guests updated as the situation progresses."

Holland America Line and Princess Cruises, which have extensive land operations in Alaska that complement their cruise operations, both said that while they are "disappointed" in Canada's decision, if they cannot launch cruises in Alaska this summer, they are still committed to operating at least one of their two Denali lodges, the Westmark Fairbanks Hotel and Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge, respectively.

"We will continue to maintain a focus on what we can do to support our fellow Alaska businesses, the thousands of people who rely on the tourism industry, and the regions in which we operate," both lines said in statements.

The Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge, an Alaska lodge operated by Princess Cruises. The line said that it planned to operate the lodge for part of the summer even if cruises couldn't operate.

"Given the unexpected length of the order, it will take us some time to assess whether there are any options to preserve a portion of the 2021 Alaska season," according to the statement, which was also provided by parent company Carnival Corp. "We will be consulting authorities in both the U.S. and Canada before we take any additional action."

The statement added: "The cruise industry has demonstrated its commitment to health and safety through the development of extensive protocols in consultation with a panel of world-class medical experts, which will be implemented when we resume service. In addition, we recognize our importance to the economic health of many Alaskan communities and will continue to pursue any option which might permit safe operation of any portion of the season."

Alaska's impact on cruise revenue

According to Patrick Scholes of Truist Securities, having to forgo an Alaska season is "not good for any company, but [is] most impactful" for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.

For Norwegian, he said, Alaska represents 9% of its annual deployment, while for Carnival Corp. it's 6% and 5% for Royal Caribbean Group. In the third quarter, those percentages jump to 22%, 15% and 11%, respectively.

In a note to investors, Scholes said Alaska cruises' impact on revenue is greater than those percentages, because Alaskan cruises are priced at a premium.

"There is widely-held belief that there will be a strong ramp-up in sailings in 3Q," Scholes wrote. "While there may be ramp-up in other markets, taking roughly 15% to 30% of expected revenues out of the 3Q equation from the loss of Alaska/Canada will likely put pressure on consensus estimates."

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