Thousands of flights were canceled at Christmas, and New Year's Eve plans were scaled back because of travel restrictions and tighter testing windows.
The variant looks like it will upend plans as we head into the year 2022.
Tour operators say that the impact of omicron on existing bookings in the present and near-term remains minimal, and that the prospects are positive in 2022.
Terry Dale said that tour operator members have become good at handling challenges from the Pandemic.
Operators report that early in the year of 2022, it looks promising.
Steve Born, chief marketing officer for the Globus family of brands, said that demand for the year 2022, despite a recent slowdown in advance bookings, looks healthy. We've been able to successfully operate hundreds of departures this year, and that includes managing around changing entry requirements. We have been able to maintain operations to most European destinations.
There have been some exceptions. When Austria went into a 20-day lock down in November, tours and cruises that included it were canceled. Changes in visitor entry restrictions and flight cancellation caused tours to the U.K., Israel and Morocco to be canceled.
Travelers can move their booking to a new date, a new itinerary or even a different brand of Globus with the Peace of Mind policy. Born said that when the company cancels trips due to circumstances outside of its control, it also offers clients rebooking incentives.
One of the best places to be right now is on the plains of Africa.
He said that they understood that the world was changing. Our commitment to guest safety and peace of mind while traveling would remain an important component of our new world.
The impacts from omicron were similar to those of the luxury tour operator. Guests can change or cancel trips as late as 15 days prior to departure for Covid-related reasons, and the company offers credits toward future travel for canceled or shortened trips.
The flexible booking policy was developed in response to Covid. Guests appreciate the ability to put a credit toward travel anywhere in the world, not just the destination where they originally booked, according to Jean Fawcett, an A&K spokeswoman.
Travelers are hardened, agents say.
When omicron first appeared in South Africa, affected A&K clients were given the option to either cut trips short or stay on the island.
Being out on the plains of Africa is one of the best places to be right now.
The company's calendar is filling up fast.
The most interest has been generated byBucket-list destinations, like Egypt and African safaris.
