To think 2021 holidays are doomed?

[YellowEllis]

Been on the phone to TUI again this morning trying to find out if the free amendment policy is going to be extended past April. They're insistent everything will be normal. Surely not? How with everything ramping up again can 2021 holidays possibly go ahead?

@Xenia - As a child until I was 10 our holidays were not just in England but 100% sleeping at home - we called them Holidays at Home - just going out on day trips. I loved them. People don't have to spend nights away to have a happy holiday.

I understand the sentiment, and my childhood was very similar. But DH and I have been WFH for 7 months now (my office is definitely remaining shut until next spring - his until at least January). I really, really hope we can get away next year. I find I can’t relax if I’m spending my holiday in the same place I’m working.

@MagicSummer I'm just back from 10 days in the caribbean. It was bliss. Travel is still possible.

We are due to go to Sweden for a week at the end of December, unlikely to happen, but we were using airbnb so if it is cancelled we will just lose flights which were thankfully cheap.

I’m hoping we can have our cottage holiday with Grandma in the February halfterm.

We looked to book something for next year. While the accommodation offered an absolute refund if you cancelled because of cv none of the travel arrangements did. We didn’t book anything.

I’d just bide your time OP. I’d be surprised if it went ahead, you’ll likely still qualify for the refund it might just take a few more months.

I'm booked for September but land travel and fully flexible. Unless there's a ban we go, though Italy has just been restricted. 11 months away I'm still optimistic. Am hoping to get away in new year long haul but won't book until a few days out, planned location still not allowed but things are changing from month to month (alas in wrong direction) dp has to go whatever as it's work so allowed

I won’t be booking anything. I am quite happy to holiday in the UK too so although I love travelling I don’t see it as a big sacrifice.

I’m hoping to be going to America next year (delayed from this year) but am hoping for October - so one year for things to improve! Not booking until after Christmas at the earliest though. I like having a glimmer of hope.....

I think if 2021 is a total holiday write off the problems will be off the scale - how would major airlines / holiday companies / airports etc survive? Even more jobs gone. More than most of us can think of I’m sure.

We were supposed to go at whit this year (Spain) and it was postponed to whit 2021. As it stands I would say unlikely. August probably slightly less likely. I also want to book skiiing for January 2022 but am most definitely holding off.

Hoping to get to Canada next year after missing out this year 😢 but we won't book it until much nearer the time.

I'm honestly not even sure all of them will make it to next year.

We're going to have a UK holiday next year, and won't even think about booking before spring. If everyone's doing that and we can't book anywhere nice, we'll stay with family (in a tent , if no household mixing, but I think there will be in the months when the sun is stronger and the virus probably decreases)

We're all doooooomed!

Nah, I have a holiday booked for May. Flights are going even now, so things would have to get much much worse (and then not get better again by May somehow?) for it to be in any doubt. Can't see that happening. Even if this second wave continues to worsen, it'll be over by early next year anyway.

BA's policy has been v generous. I'm technically booked for Italy next summer but have effectively paid a small deposit to take a holiday sometime before the end of 2022! Hopefully we'll be okay by then??

Don’t book any holiday.

Yep. And we still have a “special” ie. expensive (more money than we’d normally spend) holiday in Italy “stored” from this year.

What a mess.

There are holidays out there to be had, but you have to book closer the time, be flexible, and take what’s available. We had a week on the Mediterranean in the summer, and are planning to go to the Caribbean over half term next week. We have to have a Covid test before going, are limited in where we can stay and go, but fully anticipating that our week in a rainforest farm bungalow with access to a pool and bar will be a very pleasant change of scenery even if it’s not what we had planned. More and more countries that rely on tourism are opening back up with strict protocols in place, and where there is a potential route, the airlines are keen to reinstate flights. However, where the UK government takes a country off the travel corridor list they are also quick to cancel them. I think those who want to plan large family group holidays around specific dates, or for special occasions like weddings or big birthdays will find things hard, but those with more flexibility will find it possible if a little more work to book something.

I have friends coming over from Canada in May, this will be the third time its been rebooked.

We were hopeful that this time 3rd time is the charm, but its looking more and more likely that its not going to happen, however this time she is going to cling on till the last minute

We aren’t booking anything for next summer yet. This years holiday was cancelled by us and we lost the deposit (not a massive amount, but £350 is still enough to loose).Don’t want to risk the same thing happening again and we are definitely not confident enough with the situation to book anything so will wait till nearer the time to book.

I've booked mine but done it on booking.com so free cancellation up until a week before. Not booked flights yet, will do that nearer the time just in case.

We've got 2 weddings in Spring 2021, both are destination weddings abroad...they have both been postponed from Spring 2020, but I'm sadly wondering whether they will go ahead at all.

One couple had hired a huge venue (think French chateau style) which they are still keeping, but with all the restrictions it seems like the guest list is going to have to be reduced further. What's the point in having a fraction of your guest list in a huge, mega expensive venue.

I do feel sorry for both couples, one of them are now also TTC as they are both late 30s, so the bride may even be pregnant when the wedding comes round, not sure how practical travelling abroad will be.

went to France this August and full expect my holiday to Italy next August to go ahead - I'll be sad if it doesn't

DH has just been allocated his annual leave for the next year. He has two weeks off in late June/early July and I’ll be spitting if we can’t go on holiday by then. We usually put a lot of disposable income into travel and really look forward to some time away, even if it’s just a long weekend.

We’ve not been away since last October and next summer is looking really far away.

It'll take a least two years to get back to anything recognisable as normal, and that's with an effective vaccine. IMHO.

I would be concerned about booking anything for next year.