Should we stay or should we go now?

JANUARY is the start of the holiday-planning season when magazines or websites are scanned, contemplated and priced-up.

Well, that is what normally happens, but this year there are a few hazards to be taken into consideration.

First, we continue to be inconvenienced by strikes, not only on the railways and buses, but also at border control.

Here, union bosses are threatening a programme of industrial action for at least six months unless Government forks out more money.

However, over Christmas and the New Year, comments by travellers suggest that the cover arrangements made were excellent and that there was even a welcoming smile to be seen from stand-in officers!

Secondly, sometime during this year, it is going to cost more to travel to most of Europe due to the EU introducing an electronic travel authorisation (ETIAS), which will entail an online form and a fee of seven euros.

Also, to be considered, are the inevitable problems with Covid, some countries changing their regulations due to infection rates with little notice. Added to the hazards is often industrial strife at overseas destinations.

Additionally, inflation is resulting in cost surge both here and overseas.

Wages and salaries are not keeping up with inflation so it is inevitable that careful research will be undertaken on affordability.

It is probable that many will choose to stay within the UK or select a fixed price holiday such as a cruise, where border control procedures seem to be less onerous.

There is some glorious scenery to be viewed throughout the British Isles, it is just the weather that can be a killer.

However, here prices have rocketed over the last 12 months as the cost of energy plus staffing continues to exercise the minds of business owners throughout the tourism industry.

I am told by friends in the trade that forward bookings are not as good as they would like to see, a reflection on the state of many budgets.

Time for choices to be made during this winter gloom.