Why travel agencies are counting on many people hungry for travel and too few holiday offers next summer
Whether a beach holiday on the Upper Adriatic or on a Greek island – the conditions under which this will be possible this summer is written in the stars. Nevertheless, many are already getting offers for a summer vacation, reports Gregor Kadanka, head of Mondial travel agencies and spokesman for the industry. In his opinion, a good idea. “We will certainly have a limited offer this year because the airlines have to increase their offer first. Flights to the desired island on the desired date will not be available endlessly this year. “
However, airline managers and tour operators are currently on the brakes when opening new destinations. Because even if there are more inquiries in travel agencies, many consumers still hesitate to make a fixed booking – often for fear of having to go into quarantine after their vacation. And with it the travel industry with the launch of new offers.
Nonetheless, TUI Austria Managing Director Gottfried Math is confident about the APA: “We are convinced that the vaccine and improved testing options will provide the necessary security to travel more soon.” He anticipates a sustained recovery in the travel industry. After the vacation 2020 fell into the proverbial water, it is a fixed point for many this year. According to TUI, the Greek islands are particularly popular, followed by Croatia and Italy.
At the moment – depending on the season – long-term destinations are in demand. “The Maldives, Dubai, Cuba and the Seychelles are doing very well at the moment, but at a very low level.” The number of departing passengers is 90 percent below the 2019 level.
More AUA flights from March
Meanwhile, the AUA announced on Wednesday that it would be expanding its offering again from March. It is currently 15 percent of the pre-crisis level, in March to 20 percent and from April to 30 percent. The focus is on holiday destinations. More than 20 destinations are to be resumed, including Barcelona, Dubrovnik, Florence, Gothenburg, Kosice, Krakow, Lviv, Odessa and Oslo. Amman, Bangkok, Chicago and Tokyo are back on the flight schedule on intercontinental routes.
The AUA anticipates stronger demand for vacation trips in midsummer. According to this, from today's perspective there should be up to 150 flights per week to holiday destinations. The focus remains on Greece and Cyprus. The airline also sees Italy, Spain and Turkey as bearers of hope.
As it was said today about the first details of the summer flight schedule, it should go, for example, up to 10 times to Heraklion (Crete) or 16 times to Larnaka (Cyprus). There should also be increased frequency to Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza, Rhodes, Mykonos, Kos, Catania and the Canary Islands.
“We expect increased demand in the tourist sector in the summer and are therefore increasing our range of holiday destinations by up to 20 percent from July,” said AUA board member Michael Trestl. The booking phase for the holiday season 2021 is currently starting.
