Is it safe to book a foreign holiday for this summer while we are still in lockdown?
Yes, provided you book the right kind. See below.
So what type of holiday should I book?
Go for a package. In these turbulent corona times, I am recommending buying package holidays from expert travel agents and tour operators to ensure you have the reassurance of UK Civil Aviation Authority ATOL (Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing) protection, which helps you if your travel company or airline goes out of business.
This covers both a firm going under while you are away, or a collapse before you travel.
Many tour operators also offer specific virus cover if your holiday, or you, are affected.
Also, look out for trips with ABTA’s consumer financial protection scheme, which can cover non-flight based holidays, such as coach, cruise or rail.
What if I want to book a DIY getaway?
I do not recommend this for 2021 but should you prefer to arrange your own travel, buying your own hotel and flights separately, it’s savvy to pay on a credit card so you are covered for up to £30,000 under section 75 of the UK Consumer Credit Act, though this may not apply to bookings made via a third party.
Will I need extra insurance?
Never travel abroad without a suitable travel insurance policy and it’s definitely considering buying one with extra cover for Covid.
Which countries look my best bet this summer?
Greece is the word.
Expect them to open up for Brits as soon as Boris Johnson says we can jet off again.
Israel are the vaccine frontrunners, so they’ll be in the mix too.
Spain will do everything possible to get us in as well, as they desperately need a tourism boost for their economy.
Will the cost of flights continue to drop?
Impossible to say.
If a week is a long time in politics, then it’s a lifetime with the chaos of travel in the pandemic.
I suspect when Mr Johnson says international flights can resume there will be a surge in bookings and the inevitable supply and demand will drive up prices.
Will I need a ‘vaccine passport’ to get on a plane?
It’s looking ever more likely.
While we are getting on top of the virus at long last, public safety must come first for travelling and we know that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is considering plans for some kind of digital permit for ‘jabbed’ trips to the EU, perhaps starting in June.
Britain would sign up for that.
