Agents have differing views on winter bookings: Covid isn't the factor it once was
IAN STALKER
How many of us will be sporting a tan in the next few months?
Well, that’s unclear, with some veteran travel agents having somewhat different takes on the matter.
Rudolph Nareen of Toronto’s Astor Travel says his agency hasn’t been overwhelmed by bookings lately and adds that the travel industry is still grappling with a number of issues.
“Winter bookings have been slow but improving,” he reports while adding “increases in prices plus technology disruptions with suppliers” are issues agents have to contend with.
Covid seems to be less of a concerns for clients, continues Nareen, who believes “the big issue is quality and services have to improve and that is due from shortages of staff.”
Tourism firms in this country and others have been publicly stating that it’s been hard to recruit employees, a fallout from the pandemic, with many in the workforce now apparently wary of working in an industry they believe will be vulnerable if there’s a Covid resurgence.
Sally Mikhail of Toronto-area GMTours says bookings for the Middle East are doing “very well,” with interest in Egypt not only including Cairo and Nile cruises but Red Sea resorts as well.
Scuba divers appreciate the Red Sea, Mikhail reports.
Morocco is another destination that is seeing good interest and Mikhail says the lifting of Covid restrictions has generated increased interest in Europe.
“It’s made a big difference,” she states of the easier entry.
Monica Milin of Vancouver-area La Dolce Vita Travel says her agency doesn’t “really sell winter bookings. However, spring/summer/fall 2023 is looking pretty good!”
The pandemic, which wreaked havoc on travel, has become a non-issue for Milin’s clients. “People aren’t even asking about Covid anymore.”
Ethel Hansen Davey of Uniglobe Enterprise Travel in Toronto is upbeat about current booking trends.
“Bookings to Mexico, Caribbean and south Europe are going really well!” she reports.
But Hansen Davey remains cautious about Covid.
“We do need to remind travellers that the pandemic isn’t over so check carefully the entry requirements of any destination you choose,” she adds. “What a difference a year makes,” she adds of Covid.
