We’ve missed travel so much, and many of us are ready to make up for lost time and plan our next big vacation.
Whether you’re craving a balmy beach break in Mexico or a culture-packed tour of Chile or Argentina, there are so many wonderful locations to tick off your travel bucket list in the weeks and months to come.
If you’re ready to take the next step and book a vacation, it’s well worth planning ahead. To secure the best prices and availability for your chosen dates, we recommend acting soon and getting your vacation dates and details figured out well in advance.
Wondering what the hurry is? Here are some major reasons to consider planning your vacation early in 2022:
Benefit from flight deals
Save money on airfares by booking your tickets several months before your trip.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many airlines have reduced their prices in order to entice customers back to the skies. As a matter of fact, according to the LA Times, in September 2021 airfares from the USA to various destinations in Europe were estimated to be 30% lower than during the same month in 2019.
As with all good things, these amazing deals will eventually come to an end. More and more countries are beginning to open up to the world. This means there’ll be lots of people who are ready to take advantage of the cheap flight deals. Added demand will likely lead to airfares shooting up again in the not so distant future.
You can avoid paying a premium for your seats by booking your vacation as soon as you’ve settled on a destination. Lower prices for many routes remain in place for the time being, but you can expect them to increase as international travel becomes popular once more.
Take advantage of low hotel prices
It isn’t just the airline industry that was affected by the pandemic. The entire travel and hospitality sector took a huge hit – and that includes the world’s many wonderful hotels and resorts.
With travel now back on the cards, room reservations have started to increase. This is especially true in popular destinations such as Paris or glitzy Dubai where the average hotel prices are currently 17% and 18% higher than they were in May 2021. In fact, many hotels are expecting to be completely booked up during next year’s peak season!
Nevertheless, there are still some fantastic hotel deals to be found across the world. Giving yourself plenty of time for vacation planning will ensure you don’t miss out on affordable accommodation.
Don’t miss out on specific experiences
Planning a big trip doesn’t just mean getting your flights and accommodation locked down. There are also lots of other things to consider, from rental car availability to exceptional experiences. Securing the best deals and being able to do certain activities will largely come down to how much notice you leave between booking and embarking on your chosen trip.
It’s important not to leave things to chance, especially if you’re vacationing during the peak season. Want to visit Alaska or Hawaii during the summer? Renting a car is a popular option for many visitors who want to explore a little further afield. High demand during this period can mean there’s little choice in what vehicle – if any – you’ll get. Booking in advance will help ensure your trip goes off without a hitch and allow you to include everything you want on your agenda.
It’s not just car rentals that needs to be done ahead of time. Certain experiences – whether that’s a spa day at a plush over-water Maldives resort or a wine tasting tour of one of Portugal’s many vineyards – should also be reserved before you arrive to avoid disappointment.
When is the best time to book?
Here we come to the most important question of all: how soon should I begin my vacation planning?
With all the above in mind, we recommend booking your flights and hotels at least six months before you travel. Any preliminary planning – such as settling on a specific destination – should be done well before this. This is especially true if you want to stay somewhere a little more exclusive, such as one of the many five-star game lodges in our top safari destinations or a luxury private villa in Thailand. The same applies to cruises, especially those to more far-flung destinations like the spectacular Polar regions.
Want to get away during the holiday season? Start planning at least 12 months before if possible. This will allow you to benefit from cheaper airfares, better hotel availability and a higher likelihood of securing spots on certain tours and experiences. You might also want to plan your vacation to coincide with a festival. If this is the case, pre-book tickets and consider the best places to stay nearest to the event site.
Remember, with COVID-19 still very much an issue around the globe, you’ll want to keep an eye on any protocols that are in place in your chosen destination. It’s also crucial to take out good travel insurance to ensure your risks are covered.
Now that you know how to prepare for your next big vacation, why not get in touch with our travel experts? We’ll be able to plan the trip of your dreams from start to finish, ensuring you get the best prices for your chosen dates. Avoid missing out by booking a getaway with us as soon as you’re ready to travel again.
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