Australia reopens, Ireland drops covid restrictions and Bali welcomes tourists again.

Now is the time to plan your much deserved Spring break! As covid restrictions loosen, it’s finally time to use those saved up vacation days.

Explore far-off lands like Australia, which has just re-opened to tourism. Or experience unique properties and destinations in your own state. Beat the crowds and rising fuel costs. Now is the time to book Spring and Summer vacations!

Which destinations do the experts recommend? Santa Barbara Travel Bureau has specially curated trips taking into account what’s open, easily accessible and spring break worthy. Give us a call or stop by one of our two fully staffed offices, where you will speak to YOUR agent, not a call center. Good service still exists.

Global Travel Update

by David De L’ Arbre

C.O.O. Santa Barbara Travel Bureau

As we approach spring break and Easter, the travel industry finds itself in a very unusual position. On the bright side, we’re coming out of the dark days of the pandemic and the world is reopening to travel. Most countries have reopened and are welcoming tourists back, dropping or loosening COVID-19 restrictions.

Since rising oil prices are likely to impact airline ticket prices in the form of fuel surcharges, it’s quite likely that hotels will be forced to discount their room rates. We saw this happen during the last fuel crisis in 2014, when airfare to Hawaii from west coast hubs topped $1000, demand dropped off and hotels were left with empty rooms. Their response was to slash prices to offset the increase in airfares.

We expect to see this same pattern play out as we approach Summer. For our clients, the best way to mitigate ticket price increases is to plan in advance and lock in today’s prices. Figure out your departure and returns dates, reserve and purchase your tickets and then fill in the details of the trip.

What all of this means in today’s market is that we see high demand for travel, both domestic and international, due to pent up demand. However, many people are taking a wait and see posture to see what happens in Ukraine. While they wait- ticket prices will continue to increase.

Additionally, as gas prices go up, the domestic driving vacation continues to get more expensive. And we do not see any let up in domestic hotel prices. If anything, hotels will continue to be priced at a premium, making domestic travel less affordable.

Our forecast is that Europe will be affordable as hotels cut rates to lure Americans back. With mask mandates and quarantine requirements disappearing, we see our clients excited to get out and rebook the trips that were cancelled or postponed.

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Australia Reopen to Tourists

Australia reopened its borders to quarantine-free travel for fully vaccinated visa holders, tourists, business travelers and other visitors, even opening the door for international business events after nearly two years.

Visa holders who are not fully vaccinated will still require a valid travel exemption to enter Australia and will be subject to state and territory quarantine requirements.

New Zealand set to reopen very soon….

Spring Snow

Staying closer to home and craving something different? Traveling with a group or children? Colorado’s convenient location, extended ski season, plentiful lodging options and glistening snow, are sure to provide a Spring full of memories.

Vail’s ski season has been extended a week to May 1, which will make it the longest ski season in resort history!

Vail Village resorts offer a variety of accommodations to meet your needs. With studio, multi-bedroom condominiums, plus luxury penthouses, Colorado has the vacation amenities that you are looking for.

For groups, lodging options include full-service condominium properties with all the amenities of a full service hotel, including two outdoor heated swimming pools, four hot tubs and a spa will make any group trip spectacular.

Located steps from Vail Village is Golden Peak ski area, Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, and the Ford Amphitheater. No shortage of activities, sure to please everyone!

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The Island of Capri

Ideal weather and breathtakingly gorgeous views make Capri, Italy a perfect springtime destination.

Our property of choice is the Villa Marina and Spa. The hotel is built upon a hill overlooking the Bay of Naples and the Sorrento-Amalfi Coast. A 2 minutes walking distance from the port of Capri.

Perfect for quick sailings to Sorrento, Amalfi and Positano.

Getaway

Ireland drops COVID-19 restrictions!

March 7, 2022 – All COVID-19 travel restrictions have been removed for travel to Ireland. Visitors no longer need to complete and/or provide the following –

A completed passenger locator form
Evidence of having been fully vaccinated
Evidence of recovery from COVID-19
Evidence of a negative/not-detected result from a RT-PCR/Antigen test on arrival

More information on entry to the Republic of Ireland can be found here.
More information on entry to the Northern Ireland can be found here.