Travel Meter March 2023
How Travel Planning Has Changed from the Pre-Pandemic Days
How has travel planning changed since pre-pandemic days? Simply put: It takes longer to plan your trips!!!
There is an unprecedented demand for travel right now.
How do I know this? Even without reading all the headlines about travel demand, I can share that my own company has experienced fast-paced growth over the past few years (we won’t include 2020 for the obvious reasons).
Sales 2021 VS 2019 +74.5%
Sales 2022 vs 2021 +94.2%
Current trend 2023 vs 2022 +109%,
Projected growth 2023 + 75%
And here are just some of the headlines you can see on this topic:
And here is an all-too-common auto-reply to our emails:
All of this is to say, the industry is busy and the response time is reflecting this demand.
In the past, I could turn around a travel proposal in 3-5 days. Now it takes 2-3 weeks! Pre-Pandemic, Final confirmations of trips arrived 2-3 weeks from the departure dates. Just this week, I received final details 4 days prior to the client leaving.
These wait times can cause anxiety! “What if the hotel sells out” “What if I can’t get the train tickets” A lot of WHAT IF….. But thankfully, through our partnerships and connections, this is not a general worry of mine. I know during these periods of “wait”, my partners and I are working for you, holding space before it’s even approved, and crafting the perfect trip. The silence may be deafening to the client, but I promise you are just not hearing all the work going on in the background!
How can we work together to navigate this challenging environment?
There is one simple answer to this question: PLAN AHEAD!!
As an avid traveler, you know that planning your trip early can make a world of difference in terms of availability, prices, and overall experience. In today's travel industry, planning ahead is more important than ever before. Here are some reasons why planning your luxury travel at least 6 months ahead of your desired departure date is crucial.
Airfare
One of the most significant advantages of planning your luxury travel early is the ability to secure lower airfare prices. The earlier you book your flight, the more likely you are to find a better deal. Airlines typically offer their lowest fares 6 to 12 months before the departure date. Waiting until the last minute can result in much higher prices, especially if you are looking for premium or first-class seats.
Hotels
Planning ahead is also essential when it comes to securing the best luxury hotels. Luxury hotels are in high demand and tend to book up quickly, especially during peak travel seasons. If you require connecting rooms, you need to plan far in advance. By booking your hotel at least six months in advance, you can ensure that you have a wider range of options and can secure a room at your desired hotel.
Availability
Planning your luxury travel early gives you more time to research and choose your destination, activities, and experiences. Many luxury travel experiences require advanced planning, such as booking a private yacht or chartering a helicopter. By planning ahead, you can ensure that you have access to the best experiences available and avoid disappointment due to limited availability.
Here are our recommendations on when you should start to plan your trip:
