Have you ever tried to plan something, thinking you had plenty of time, only to find it sold out? I’ve had it happen to me many times, for restaurants, movie tickets, and events. I am betting you have as well. But none of us has had it happen in travel the way it’s happening right now. It’s astounding.

COVID, the gift that keeps on giving, has changed the way the world books travel. And honestly, I think it has changed it forever.

When we announced our private April 2022 Tulip Time River cruise back in October 2020, we booked all of the cabins except three entry level cabins in two weeks. Do what? Yes, that should give us all a sense of the pent up demand that’s out there. That was a full 18 months prior to departure.

In fact, last weekend when I announcement my private personally escorted Hot Tam Scotland tour for September 2022, I booked 12 people into it within 24 hours of the announcement. That’s a full 15 months prior to departure.

We have already had to create a waitlist for our Paris to Normandy Signature Event, Sept 2023 as I work on finalizing the details. Can you believe it?

We booked record setting fun in the sun vacations back in January and February for summer 2022. By April the prices were sky high, the best flight schedules were sold out, and so were the best resorts. We are currently struggling to get everyone booked for fall 2021 travel who were priced out of summer 2021 travel.

Here’s a great personal example. I was scheduled to participate in the Female Leaders in Travel Conclave June 10-13. Back in April I started looking at air pricing from OKC. It was over $1000. That price got me into Cancun at 7:30PM. To get the flights I usually book, with an early afternoon arrival time, the price was over $1700. From OKC to Cancun! Needless to say, I forfeited my place at the Conclave. That’s more than I paid to fly to Athens with my group to Greece coming up in September. I’m not doing it.

I am sharing all of this with you so you understand the current trends, and are prepared for them. It’s always been more cost effective to book early, 6+ months or more early. But now, post COVID, with demand through the roof, it’s going to be imperative to book 9-11 months in advance for the best pricing and selection for fun in the sun, and for Europe, well, 12-18 months in advance is going to be your best and most affordable option.

We have always encouraged our customers to book as early as possible for the best pricing and availability. Post COVID, with the entire world beginning to open up, the minute you see a tour or destination that appeals to you, you need to book it. If you are considering Spring Break 2022, you need to book it now. Senior class trips for 2022? Again, book now.

I’ve recently seen Globus tours sell out within one week of their opening announcement. That’s become usual rather than unusual.

If you take a look at our personally escorted tours, several are already sold out. My September Greece group is sold out; my American Heritage group in October is sold out (2021). Doreen has one or two cabins available on her Rhine Castles and Swiss Alps AMA River cruise this October, call her today if you want onboard.

Going into 2022, our Tulip Time private river cruise event is sold out and waitlisted. Our May Ireland group escorted by our own Heather Young, you guessed it, sold out and waitlisted.

Our July 2022 Italy group escorted by our own Erica Shaw is over half full. My Hot Tam in September 2022 is adding guests every few days; it will sell out within weeks. Meredith added one of my favorite tours, the Iberian Peninsula (Spain, Portugal and Morocco) for September 2022 as a small group departure. She will only have 20 spaces. Please act now if you want onboard. That’s a fabulous tour. Yes, I’ve #beentheredonethat. Loved it.

Last week I added a personally escorted tour, Holland Belgium and Luxembourg April 9-17, 2022 and booked six into it the day I announced it.

I know you want to travel. If you plan to travel within the next two years you need to look at your calendars and act soon. It’s like the running of the bulls in Pamplona; it’s pretty wild and crazy right now.

Plan ahead and you won’t miss the bus, or the river cruise.

Your Globetrotting friend,
Joy

If you snooze, you lose.