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Just by entering social media, it seems that a large part of Lithuanians rushed abroad. Some rest in the Maldives, others share moments of a vacation in Dubai or photograph landscapes of other countries.
Although the pandemic has restricted travel, experts say, travelers have been and will be. People crave adventure, warmth, which is why most are drawn to warmer lands.
Lithuanians flew to hot countries
Although currently the country’s tour operators do not operate charter flights, Lithuanians are not afraid to travel: residents leave on regular flights. Currently, most Lithuanians have gone to Tenerife, the Maldives, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey.
Milda Plepytė-Rainienė, director of the Lithuanian Tourism Association, says that the public’s interest in travel has increased considerably. There are also travelers who combine telecommuting during their vacations abroad.
“People really miss traveling. The pandemic has adjusted the specifics of many of our jobs. After accepting and evaluating the current situation and opportunity, some people made the decision to leave not for a week or two, but for a much longer period of time, when vacations, rest and work abroad would be compatible, ”he says. M. Plepytė-Rainienė.
If there was a lot of uncertainty during the first quarantine, and countries have closed their borders when deciding how to deal with the virus, now there are many more opportunities to travel.
“Right now, the world is really more open, flights are ongoing, trips are possible, it is always necessary to analyze what the requirements are. Is it necessary to have a negative on the go? covid a proof certificate, whether it is not necessary, or when returning from the country where you were on vacation to Lithuania, whether the requirement of self-isolation or mandatory tests applies, ”warns M. Plepytė-Rainienė.
Traveling will be more expensive
Only when the borders were opened and the opportunity to leave arose did prices drop. Getting to the warmer edges was a bit cheaper. However, as experts say, prices have returned to normal and it is possible that after the pandemic they will simply skyrocket.
“A very good example in terms of prices could be the Maldives, which as soon as it opened and started welcoming tourists again, it attracted really extraordinarily good prices. However, as flows began to grow, companies also made the right decisions and prices have practically reverted to pre-crisis times.
If we look at it broadly and more broadly, it can be concluded that companies can make more attractive offers to incentivize travel and increase travel flows, but it is still difficult to comment on whether this will be the case.
It is necessary to assess that the company will not only want to recover the previous flows, but that the company and the hotels will also have to invest to meet and guarantee the security requirements ”, says M. Plepytė-Rainienė.
Travel agency Tez Tour says that due to mandatory security requirements, hotels generate less profit.
“This year, for security reasons, tourist countries will limit the flow of travelers. For example, hotels will not be able to fill all rooms, restaurants will also be able to serve only half the traffic they previously had. Therefore, forecasting globally, travel prices are likely to rise.
There is also the possibility that there is a shortage of the most popular hotels as they are booked well in advance, ”says Inga Aukštuolytė, Head of Public Relations and Marketing at Tez Tour.
Tour operators Baltic Tours say that currently prices may be higher due to the season.
“It has always been more expensive to travel during the winter season, because you have to keep flying and resting in these resorts is more expensive. The prices of the trips are a little higher at the moment, because many hotels do not work and those who work also want to stay, not to go bankrupt, ”says travel expert Andrius Paulionis.
Already buying trips for the summer
Travel agencies note that residents are already interested in summer and spring travel. According to I. Aukštuolytė, representative of Tez Tour, the established order reassures residents: “Now, wherever I travel, the rules are clear: you need to take a test and get a negative answer. Basic safety requirements have also become commonplace for many: masks, washing hands, keeping a safe distance. “
According to the Tez Tour representative, now is the best time to buy trips for the warm season of the year.
“The only way not to feel the price of the trip is the pre-sale, that is, when you buy a summer trip now, in winter. For example, in the last week of January, we will organize our traditional Tez Tour online travel fair, which will cost from 190 euros.
Plan your summer vacation in advance, by purchasing your down payment now – just 10 percent. from the value of the trip is very favorable. As the Christmas season approaches, prices are likely to rise, ”says I. Aukštuolytė.
A. Paulionis, a travel expert at Baltic Tours, also says that there are currently several discounts for travelers: “Until the end of this month, pre-order discounts are available, so customers can take advantage of the following benefits: symbolic reservation, from 20 EUR per person, special prices, organization of free trips, a wide range of hotels and dates and other privileges not previously available “.
A. Paulionis says that next summer people will be interested in hot countries.
“The addresses of greatest interest to clients for the spring and summer holidays are Turkey, Greece, Portugal, Bulgaria, Montenegro and Croatia. The most attractive travel prices were maintained for bus trips, the prices of which remained practically unchanged. Popular recreational and natural routes.
People are careful, but they take care of this year’s holidays and book them. Clients’ decisions are determined by the fact that many are already ill and those who have not become ill are waiting to be vaccinated, ”says A. Paulionis.
Airports are already preparing
While travel agencies say it will take at least a few years to return to pre-pandemic levels, passenger flows can be expected to increase in the summer. Lithuanian airports are already preparing for a possible increase in passenger traffic.
“Currently, we see that the recovery of passenger aviation can begin in mid-spring, so we are already actively preparing for it in all directions, we have confirmed the internal action plan, involve a wide range of our partners. ”Says Tadas. Vasiliauskas, representative of the Lithuanian airports.
Airports currently serve more than a dozen different flights a day.
Lithuanian airports report that passenger numbers decreased during the pandemic. According to data from Lithuanian airports, 1.3 million passengers were served in 2020. passengers, which is 74 percent. less than in 2019.
While passenger flows have been declining, the total number of destinations offered last year has decreased slightly, from 72 to 72.
On how to behave when they come from abroad and from which countries returnees have compulsory self-isolation, in the text of tv3.lt.
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