What to keep in mind if you plan your vacation for September

The data that we know daily about the evolution of the coronavirus in Spain and in the world make those who are planning their vacations for the month of September face several unknowns when traveling. In fact, fear of the consequences of the virus is the main reason why 40% of Spaniards believe it is unlikely to go on vacation this year, according to a report by ObservaTUR. Because the new normal is very different from the old one when it comes to travel, we must take certain precautions if we are going to do tourism outside of our cities.

From Spain to abroad, at the time this article is published, no, as conditions are constantly changing. Practically all countries impose restrictions, when they do not directly prohibit entry to travelers from Spain. Given that the situation of the pandemic is different in each country, experts recommend planning a trip abroad by consulting the government websites of destination countries for specific access measures. There are from those who ask to obtain a negative result in a PCR test 48 hours before the trip, to those who demand a mandatory quarantine period.

The online agency  Rumbo has developed an algorithm that periodically draws up a list of the safest countries to visit, tracking the number of active cases of Covid-19, the quality of the health system or the distance of the destination from the country of origin. Looking to September, the most valued by the algorithm, at the date of publication of this article, are Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Germany, Portugal and Slovenia.

Enrique García, spokesman for the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) is critical in this regard: "We would like to say that there are cancellation insurance that are effective in these circumstances, but in practice, they only operate when it is the consumer himself who , for health reasons, he cannot continue the trip. " He warns that, unless we read the fine print of the contract and it fits our situation, these "misnamed cancellation insurance" do not cover the current contingencies generated by the coronavirus pandemic.

It is convenient to plan a trip with flexible cancellation policies (without added costs) for each contracted service: transport tickets, accommodation, services, activities, etc. Despite this, a reason of force majeure caused by causes beyond the consumer's control may be a reason for a full refund of these purchases.

It should be borne in mind that if a trip abroad is planned without meeting the entry requirements to the country that are in force at the time of booking, there is no right to reimbursement or any type of compensation.

If the consumer cannot go to a vacation that he had contracted due to a possible confinement, he has the right to request reimbursement for the service that he has not received. Either the full service because you have not come, or a partial refund if you have not been able to enjoy all of it.

The uncertainty generated in tourism has caused hotels, with a view to planning, to launch last minute flash offers to ensure a minimum occupancy. Ana de la Fuente, head of Weekendesk's sales team for Spain and Portugal, says that this year "the client is booking with very little notice. 90% of our reservations are for the same month in progress." To which she adds that, in addition, they are getting offers of around 35% in their campaign for September "because, if not, many do not know if they will be able to open."

All passenger transport companies are obliged, without distinction, to require all their travelers to wear masks throughout the journey. Furthermore, since the safety distance in the seating area cannot be guaranteed most of the time, the cleaning and disinfection protocols are very strict. And, for more prevention, hydroalcoholic gel or disinfectant wipes are distributed to all passengers.

Regarding air conditioners, both buses and trains have been forced to program their systems with greater air recirculation. In other words, the devices do not recycle the indoor air to save energy, but rather try to have it as little time as possible to avoid a possible spread of the virus by air. "There are no outbreaks linked to means of transport," adds the spokesman for the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU), Enrique García.

Yes. Contrary to what it may seem, the law does not differentiate one tourist accommodation from another in hygienic matters. Everyone is obliged to comply with the same security measures to avoid possible infections, especially by limiting capacity and disinfecting common areas. "We have observed that hotels, lodgings and campsites are correctly maintaining all security measures," says Ana de la Fuente, from Weekendesk.

In any case, consumer associations are skeptical of the so-called covid free stamps , promoted by hotel employers. "It can be guaranteed that the security measures are complied with, not the absence of viruses," says Enrique García.

"This year is a very special year, but the holidays for most Spaniards are similar to last year, mainly looking for sun and beach," says Alessia Dordoni, communications director of the Lastminute.com group. Despite this, this is being the best August for northern Spain, with communities such as Asturias or Cantabria that have their occupancy levels at 95% and 93%, respectively. Meanwhile, others like Madrid do not reach 30%.

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