Tourism industry expected to boom as pre-arrival tests dropped for vaccinated
Posted March 20, 2022 9:27 am.
Last Updated March 20, 2022 9:28 am.
With the testing requirements fading away for vaccinated people coming into Canada, a local travel agent says if you want to go away this year, get on it quick.
Allison Wallace with Flight Centre says prices for flights and hotels are expected to shoot up.
“Whether there’s a pandemic or not, the law of supply and demand works very much in travel,” she said. “So, no question that demand will be a factor, the fuel costs will be a factor, and labor shortages will be a factor.”
According to Expedia, a one-way flight to London earlier this week was around $400, now tickets are nearly $600.
Related stories:
-
WestJet foresees busy summer travel season as testing requirements dropped
-
B.C. travel and tourism ready as Canada testing rules set to end: industry
-
Bellingham businesses ready to welcome back B.C. visitors as Canada lifts pre-entry tests
Considering the news that fully vaccinated travellers will no longer require a negative COVID-19 test to come to Canada starting Apr. 1, Wallace predicts people who were hesitant to travel before will finally gain the courage to book a ticket.
Random PCR tests will continue and travellers will still have to use the Arrive-Can app before entering the country.
She says it’s going to be especially busy over the summer months and during holiday weekends.
“If you’re set on traveling this year, particularly in the peak season times, which is anytime that kids are out of school, so summer, or Christmas — you definitely want to be booking,” she encourages. “Now, if you’ve got flexibility, and you can go on off days, like middle of the week, avoid weekends, stay away from those peak season periods. It’s not going to be as challenging in terms of pricing. But if you know you’re going to be going in those, you know, couple of weeks in August, you definitely want to be getting that booking in now.”
But before you lave, Wallace insists you check the COVID rules of the country you’re going to stay on the safe side.
