Lithuanians do not refuse to travel abroad: they warn of emerging risks and modified travel procedure

Lithuanians spend the winter in hot countries

Žydrė Gavelienė, president of the National Association of Tourism Companies and director of the Estravel travel agency, points out that although there are fewer countries to visit this year due to the pandemic, the interest of travelers to travel has not disappeared.

Compared to last year’s figures, there are certainly fewer travelers, but there are those who, after announcing the first changes to quarantine, consider all the circumstances that can work remotely and that there are healthier countries to move physically and emotionally. , interested in where to spend the winter.

I had to give up all the Christmas fairs in big cities when people were used to traveling to get the Christmas mood or buy gifts. There are fewer trips of this type, but there are travelers who are used to traveling and understand what a safe trip is, ”he says.

According to her, Lithuanians choose warmer countries this winter: Cyprus, the Canary Islands, the Portuguese island of Madeira and beyond: Jamaica, Maldives.

“There are directions, it is important to take into account all the limitations of the border, the needs of the family or the travelers, and adjust them according to whether they will work or simply be on vacation. (…) We do not have massive trips to Egypt this year, because this is a country that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not recommend going to, therefore there are no flights in that direction ”, Ž. Gavelienė.

Aurimas Stikliūnas, Head of the Aviation Services Division at Lithuanian airports, notes that since the start of operations at Lithuanian airports in late October, demand from distant countries has increased significantly.

“We see that the countries themselves – the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, the Maldives, are looking for solutions on how to attract as many tourists as possible, including Lithuanians. From the actions of the airline, we see that in January it is planned to increase the volume of flights from Vilnius to Istanbul in order to be able to transport more passengers and meet their demand. Passengers take into account the situation in countries where the spread of the virus is much better controlled than in Europe today, so these countries are considered safer, “teaches A. Stikliūnas.

There is a risk that other countries will admit Lithuanians

Aviation expert Simonas Bartkus adds that Lithuanians generally liked to travel to Southeast Asian countries, such as Thailand or the Indonesian island of Bali, during the winter. He notes that the region is currently quite closed to tourists. Therefore, currently more Lithuanians are flying to the other side: Caribbean countries – Mexico, Barbados, etc., are currently more open to tourists.

“The airlines were optimistic about the Christmas period, even though they have already cut flights. The number of flights is very limited, but the geography during the Christmas period will be wide. (…) Passengers should see what rules apply in other countries.

The additional risks are caused by the fact that Lithuania, as a country, is a statistician (morbidity Delphi) on top. This raises the risk that any state will impose one or another restriction on the entry of people from Lithuania ”, emphasizes S. Bartkus.

A new reality: what travel is like right now

When asked if it is safe enough to travel abroad at this time, the interviewee assures that traveling has never been safer than now, he only has to choose safe countries. When flying to all countries, it is necessary to have a negative COVID-19 test, a new travel reality that will be especially relevant next year. The interviewee herself currently works from the Portuguese island of Madeira, so she shared her impressions of what it is like to travel during a pandemic.

“By evaluating the requirements of airports and airlines, I can assure you that travel has never been safer than it is now. Vilnius, Frankfurt and Madeira airports have the most stringent requirements: no-mask, no-show, periodic checks for proper mask use, audible alarms and minimal contact points, such as cafes, where the virus can spread by touching surfaces. During flights, airlines clearly report there is a requirement, they have not seen anyone flying without a mask or try to violate this requirement, ”says Ž. Gavelienė.

“No European country will enter without a negative COVID-19 test. This is a new reality until it is confirmed that it has contracted the coronavirus, until the vaccine is available and it has the vaccine. It is not dangerous to travel if you have a certificate that you have been sick and you follow all the instructions ”, he adds.

Among other things, S. Bartkus points out that when planning to travel to European countries, it is necessary to evaluate similar quarantine measures, which have been adopted in Lithuania since Wednesday, that is, restrictions on the movement of people, limited entertainment and cafes. He advises travelers to examine the situation in each country.

“If you can fly somewhere, but the question is what will be possible to do there and how to spend the time,” says S. Bartkus.

Ž. Gavelienė partially agrees that currently there are strict restrictions in some parts of Europe, because all countries respond to the requirements of a pandemic. However, he notes that the needs and desires of travelers themselves have changed as a result of the pandemic.

This year we shouldn’t dream of celebrating at full volume in restaurants with no restrictions. People who yearn for the sun, the outdoors and physical activities travel: this is the biggest advantage that makes people travel abroad today, ”says the president of the National Association of Tourism Companies.

How the strict quarantine will affect travel is unknown.

According to her, more questions now arise about whether this week’s stricter restrictions will somehow restrict travel: “We are awaiting clarification from the government. We believe that there will be no restrictions to go to countries with a much better pandemic situation than Lithuania. “

S. Bartkus points out that although there are no restrictions on the operation of flights, it is difficult to predict how people’s behavior and desire to travel may change after the introduction of new restrictions.

“The new restrictions do not know how they will affect travel. Although there are technically no changes in travel, the restriction of movement between municipalities can deter potential travelers,” he says.

The ski resorts are closed and tourists will be accepted from February.

During the festive period, Lithuanians also actively chose ski trips. Italian and French ski resorts used to be popular at the time, but this year the situation is different. Some ski regions do not accept tourists this year, so the organizers are waiting next year to clarify the requirements.

Among other things, Ž. Gavelienė recalls that a negative COVID-19 test will then be needed to perform it. The travel expert recommends that all travelers wait until the beginning of February, then there will be new requirements for the ski resorts.

Among other things, the interviewee points out that traveling will not be cheap this year and next, because safety and hygiene requirements have a price.

“Naturally, travel prices are the most affected by competition. Today we see that competition in travel is minimal. In addition, the business in the field of tourism had to introduce additional requirements, so travel really cannot be more Another thing is the requirement that all travelers have a negative COVID-19 test, which represents an additional cost of 80-100 Eur “, says the head of Estravel.

Ž. Gavelienė advises travelers to take care of airline ticket insurance and flexible accommodation conditions: “We recommend that you buy a ticket that allows you to cancel your trip if your COVID-19 test is positive.”

Lithuanians are attracted to working in hot countries

It also indicates the tendency of a part of the population to move to warmer countries for a longer period of several months. This year, in a pandemic, it’s easier to combine work and leave.

“A significant number of people who were used to working holidays last year are doing the same thing this year: they are leaving for a longer period, because this year the conditions are much more favorable. Families with children have the opportunity to work and study remotely. Whoever is healthy can organize work remotely. We recommend going to healthier countries, taking care of your physical and emotional health and at the same time not deviating from your work goals, ”says Ž. Gavelienė.

“You can leave now and come back in February. This is very profitable, because if the dates are flexible, the ticket prices can be adjusted to be more favorable,” he adds.

Lithuanians are already planning trips for next winter

The travel expert notes that Lithuanians are already planning December next year. travel and hopes to regain the joy of travel over the New Year as it has been extremely popular.

“Other people now go to warmer countries during the winter, waiting for the regulation of ski regions, people also ask about spring and summer trips.” Maybe they buy a little less because they want to know the situation, how to suffer less economically, ”he says.

The interviewee draws the attention of travelers to the fact that the pandemic will continue in 2021, so the COVID-19 test and the vaccine will accompany next year and they will have to adapt to the new reality of travel.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls for the abandonment of unnecessary trips abroad

In a statement released on Friday, the Foreign Ministry (MFA) urged everyone to refrain from unnecessary travel to both foreign countries and Lithuania.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, taking into account the restrictions on movement and border crossing applied by the states, the restrictive measures applied in foreign states and the national quarantine announced in the territory of Lithuania, recommends evaluating the need to travel to foreign states.

The ministry notes that most countries impose stricter restrictions during the holiday period not only on arrivals but also at the national level. Meetings are restricted, only food and essential items are traded, catering establishments provide take-out food only, movement is restricted or prohibited without a necessary reason.

You can find more information about restrictions in foreign countries keliauk.urm.lt or in the Travel Safely app.

Those currently in foreign countries are advised to take the necessary precautions, closely follow and follow the recommendations and instructions issued by local authorities.

Although entry to Lithuania is not prohibited, as of December 16. restricted movement between municipalities within the country.

It is also important to note the list of affected countries valid for the week of arrival in Lithuania, which is published every Monday on the website of the Ministry of Health. States for which isolation is required upon return: on an interactive map.