Bookings for the coming summer holidays abroad are increasing significantly. At Hotelplan Suisse, almost 2021 percent more customers have booked holidays in the wider Mediterranean region since the beginning of June 50 than in the same period in 2019. The currently most popular destinations are the Greek islands, Cyprus and Spain with Mallorca and the Canary Islands.

The Swiss tour operator is currently experiencing a real booking boom. The demand for summer holidays abroad has risen sharply since the beginning of June 2021. Even the numbers before the CoV crisis can't keep up, the company has halved more bookings. “The reason for the increasing number of bookings is, on the one hand, the relaxed entry regulations in the destinations around the Mediterranean. On the other hand, the vaccination progress in Switzerland and the associated confidence in normality are also ensuring more bookings, ”says Tim Bachmann CEO Hotelplan Suisse. 

The fact that the Federal Council no longer advises against tourist trips abroad and that destinations that are important for international tourism such as Cyprus, Italy or Turkey are no longer on the risk country list of the BAG ensures a positive effect.

Trend towards higher class bookings

With the current bookings it is noticeable that the customers can be divided into two categories. The younger ones want to go back to their old life quickly and mostly book holidays to party destinations such as Palma de Mallorca or Ayia Napa in Cyprus. The second part of the clientele prefers smaller destinations and smaller hotels. In addition, the value of these bookings is on average higher than before the corona pandemic. 

“Many of our customers haven't been abroad on vacation for over a year. We feel that they want to treat themselves to something on the upcoming trips and that they therefore often book a higher-quality offer, ”continues Bachmann.

Outlook is positive

Hotelplan Suisse is currently not only expecting good summer business. The Swiss tour operator is also assuming strong autumn business. Bookings for vacations in the Indian Ocean (Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles) or the United Arab Emirates are already being made. "As soon as other long-haul destinations such as the USA or Canada relax their entry requirements for Swiss people, the demand for these destinations will also increase significantly," says Tim Bachmann with conviction.