Travel Advisors Foresee Omicron Impacting Bookings Through Spring

In keeping with the outcomes of a brand new survey carried out by TravelAge West as a part of its ‘Must Know’ analysis sequence, three-quarters (75 p.c) of journey advisors are very or considerably involved concerning the Omicron variant’s impression upon their enterprise. The bulk (69 p.c) of survey members reported seeing an increase within the variety of journey cancellations coming from purchasers in current weeks, whereas 74 p.c mentioned they’ve seen extra journey postponements.

“Now we have undoubtedly had prospects inquire concerning the impression that Omicron has had on cruising,” mentioned Danny Genung, proprietor of Harr Travels in Redlands, California. “Some have moved their cruise—although for probably the most half that has been as a result of a piece want or another cause. Just about all our cancellations have been as a result of visitors testing constructive earlier than they left for his or her cruise. To me, meaning the system is working. They’ve all been grateful that it occurred earlier than they left for his or her cruise.”

A substantial majority (85 p.c) of these surveyed additionally reported that, in current weeks, their purchasers have been asking extra questions and have greater ranges of concern about their upcoming journeys. The highest causes purchasers have cited for his or her issues represent an virtually three-way tie between a) altering authorities rules; b) provider cancellations or refund insurance policies; and c) vacation spot security and COVID-19 case surges in particular areas.

Many advisors mentioned they anticipate that their enterprise might be considerably affected in 2022 by the continued Omicron surge. Forty-one p.c of respondents count on it would have a “main impression”, whereas one other 44 p.c predict it would have “considerably of an impression”.

Virtually two-thirds (63 p.c) of the advisors polled consider that the present wave of an infection will impression their spring break bookings. Twenty-nine p.c of respondents predicted that Omicron would go on to impression their summer time bookings additionally, whereas 45 p.c mentioned it was too quickly but to inform.

“Proper now, we’re absolutely in wave season, and new bookings are outpacing modifications or cancellations about 10 to at least one,” Genung defined. “Fairly a number of gross sales are for shut in, however many extra are for the summer time of 2022 and past.”

The survey group reported that they’re concurrently feeling the consequences of the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention’s (CDC) current advisory that Individuals keep away from cruising utterly. The bulk (54 p.c) of collaborating advisors mentioned they’ve had purchasers query them concerning the CDC’s newest steering on cruising, whereas 46 p.c have had a consumer cancel or postpone a cruise as a direct results of the CDC-issued advice.

However, Genung mentioned he’s nonetheless optimistic concerning the cruise business’s outlook for the remainder of 2022. “I feel we’re very near having an enormous progress in bookings as we transfer into the subsequent part and transition from pandemic to endemic,” he mentioned. “Now we have had many visitors sail over the previous couple of weeks and so they have been so completely satisfied that they took their cruise. Many have booked their subsequent cruise proper on board and a few have even prolonged their present cruise by a number of weeks.”