Expect traffic for holidays on the roads, in the sky
The holiday travel season is typically the busiest time of the year.
But, this year, the coronavirus pandemic combined with travel restrictions – both domestic and international – have complicated things. So, what will this 2020 holiday travel season look like?
Here’s some predictions:
Travel increase
Travel expert Amanda Norcross expects an increase in travel this holiday season, despite fewer people traveling overall. “Many will be traveling to see family and friends for the first time since quarantine began, and are likely to score lower airfares as cashstrapped airlines compete to offer the best deals,” Norcross says.
Hopper’s new Holiday Travel Confidence Report also suggests an increase in travel is likely. According to a poll, 39% say they plan to travel during the holidays this year. However, 21% have said they do not plan to travel, though in a typical year, they would. About 50% plan to fly over Thanksgiving and 75% say they will for the December holidays.
More traffic
When it comes to road travel, the American Automobile Association is the go-to source for data. The association typically releases its travel forecasts for the Thanksgiving and yearend holidays in November and December. A spokesperson at AAA says given the implications of COVID-19, it is difficult to make any estimations at this point of what travel around the holidays will look like this year.
AAA says the summer travel forecast may be the best guide at this point. This summer, Americans were expected to take more than 700 million trips from July through September, a decline of 15% compared with last year.
RVs & camping
RVShare.com, a site for renting recreational vehicles, expects a rise in bookings this November and December as more travelers may opt to hit the roads. While the weather will be colder in parts of the country, the RV and camping boom will likely continue.
“More than half of travelers (in a recent poll) said they would consider renting an RV to visit family and stay in a family member’s driveway or nearby
campground to social-distance,” says RVShare’s Maddi Bourgerie.
Cruise lines unclear
The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s no-sail order continues till Nov. 1, and there’s no telling whether the CDC will extend it beyond that date.
Money-back cancellations
InsureMyTrip data shows that while overall travel is down for the holidays, travel insurance remains in demand. According to a recent customer survey, roughly 90% of customers are highly interested in coverage if they want to cancel a trip because of COVID-19 fears.
“We do recommend that holiday travelers consider travel insurance with the cancel for any reason upgrade,” says InsureMyTrip eCommerce Director Cheryl Golden.
Hotel deals
When it comes to travel prices this holiday, experts predict there will be bargains; average hotel rates are lower than in previous years.
“Hotel rates in the U.S. for Thanksgiving are averaging a low of $117 per night and $150 on average per night for Christmas,” says Liana Corwin of the travel booking app Hopper.
Flexible travel dates
Hotels and vacation rental companies expect less pressure on the traditional peak holiday travel weeks.
“Because of the ability to work and
school remotely, families will be enjoying longer trips over the holidays and can choose to travel during less popular days and times,” says James Henderson, CEO of Exclusive Resorts Exclusive Resorts.
Health and safety
Experts predict more communication from travel suppliers and booking sites for the holidays on COVID-19 health protocols. Booking.com just released a new feature on its property listings dubbed “Health & Safety Measures”; CMO Arjan Dijk says the feature displays measures the property is taking in areas such as hygiene, distancing and food safety.
Flex spaces
The hotel industry is prepared for just about any scenario. There’s strong potential for high demand for “flex spaces,” areas that can transition from a bedroom to a workspace, with the option for extended stays.
Early birds
While early-bird advice seems redundant, Mark Jackson, travel editor for Brad’s Deals, says that as soon as you know your holiday travel dates, book your flights. While flights are historically lower, they could rise as we get closer to the season.
“With less flights than normal this year due to service cutbacks, there won’t be many deals at all during the holidays. And, with less flights, you’ll have less choice on when you can fly,” Jackson says.