Essential Travel Tips for Summer 2021

As we approach the end of summer vacation, many northern hemisphere travelers may feel it’s challenging to plan getaways further into the future. However, despite these feelings, now is a prime opportunity to begin planning for next summer. With high levels of flexibility currently available, spending a few hours transforming your travel dreams into actual bookings could yield significant benefits throughout the colder months ahead.

Booking Accommodations

If, like many, you chose to vacation closer to home, you may have noticed that popular destinations were bustling, particularly during school break periods. Bookings in destinations like , , and the West Coast of are already seeing high demand for next year. Given the increased interest, prices are likely to rise during peak periods. Thus, while less popular areas may not require immediate action, it is wise to prioritize flexible booking terms for self-catering options and other accommodations to ensure peace of mind.

Booking Flights and Package Holidays

If you’re considering flights or package holidays, leveraging the current travel climate could work to your advantage. Many airlines, including American Airlines, are offering generous cancellation and rebooking terms until the end of September this year for flights scheduled through next summer and even beyond. As the year progresses, these terms may tighten, particularly with increasing demand. Consequently, now could be the optimal time to secure your bookings, minimizing risk.

Additionally, with anticipated route reductions compared to 2019, it is advisable to book early for your desired destinations. Early booking often increases the chance of finding good value fares, if not the absolute lowest cost. While this discussion is broad, it highlights the benefits of planning ahead.

Finally, it’s essential to recognize that forward bookings instill confidence in businesses, ensuring that they can prepare for incoming visitors and maintain employment for those working in the tourism industry, which often suffers from late bookings.