After six months of curfew and then confinement, the question is now on everyone's lips: will we be able to go on vacation this summer?
Asked about this on March 14 by journalist Samuel Étienne on his Twitch channel, Prime Minister Jean Castex replied "
I hope so
".
Before moderating his remarks, considering that it would however “
surely
” not be a “
completely normal
”
vacation
.
And to hope that we “
will be able to regain some of our freedom
” thanks to vaccination.
For the time being, no country has made the vaccine a
sine qua non
for entering its territory, and it is still possible to get on a train or on a plane without justifying the doses received.
Read also: Green passport, vaccination passport, health certificate ... A brief vocabulary for travelers in the time of Covid-19
But it is so far impossible to anticipate the evolution of the health situation or the travel restrictions that could be in force in July and August.
A vagueness that prevents future vacationers from planning and planning their summer vacation.
When to book?
Where to go?
Doubts shared by tourism professionals, who compete for ideas to reassure the recalcitrant.
Testimonials.
Read also: Summer holidays: should you book now or wait until the last minute?
Many are betting on the "
last minute
"
Like nearly nine out of ten French people, according to the results of an Odoxa-Backbone Consulting survey for France Info and
Le Figaro
, published last February, Alexis, 29 years old and an executive in human resources in Paris, gave up his vacations. winter this year.
This summer, he therefore intended to make up for it.
"To be
able to take advantage, finally, of the good weather and to find a little freedom
".
Where ?
In Europe, if possible;
in France, if that is the only option.
This was without counting on the announcements of new restrictions in several regions of France, which further complicate the task of holidaymakers.
“
The rules are constantly changing, it's impossible to navigate and project yourself.
Organizing his vacation has become an additional mental burden,
”describes the 30-something who sees no other choice than to book at the last minute, for fear of being caught up by a quarantine, a curfew, new restrictions or worse , to find oneself confined by force.
Dominique Debuire, president of the National Union for the Promotion of Vacation Rental (UNPLV) which brings together rental platforms between individuals such as Airbnb, Abritel or TripAdvisor, confirms to AFP: “
The last minute is a phenomenon that 'we have been observing for a year, people are still waiting for the government to speak up
”.
This is the case of Inès, 41, a sales representative in La Rochelle, who also plans to opt for a
last minute
reservation
, in Europe or in France.
Especially since before planning her 2021 vacation, the 40-year-old would already like to be reimbursed for her credit of 400 euros, corresponding to a return trip to Mexico that she had booked for May 2020 ...
But to get there, it is a real way of the cross.
She alternates between unproductive phone calls with her airline, unanswered emails and registered letters.
What to discourage her from committing again.
"
I especially do not want to find myself with two assets on my hands and a vacation that falls apart once again,
" she confesses.
It is far from being an isolated case.
For months, social networks have become a real court for angry customers, who are demanding reimbursement for their trips canceled due to the pandemic.
Read also: Travel vouchers canceled due to Covid-19: how to use them?
The cancellation insurance card
Among the solutions offered by tour operators to reassure their future customers: take out cancellation insurance.
“It has become a sine qua non for travelers,”
reports Gérard Carnot, director of Ultramarina, a travel agency specializing in scuba diving.
The catch?
“They do not always cover all the risks associated with Covid,” he
explains.
So much so that tourism professionals must go even further.
"
We undertake to reimburse ourselves the part that these insurances do not cover
", guarantees the director.
Read also: Travel and Covid-19: how to choose the right insurance?
Our comparative table
A promise also made by Jean-François Rial, CEO of Voyageurs du Monde.
"
If we advise our customers to favor France and Europe for safety, we undertake to assume all the financial risks if they decide to book elsewhere,
" he says.
The Best Western hotel chain has also revised its copy and offers its Premium members flexible terms.
"
Travelers can now cancel their reservation up to three days before their arrival,
" says General Manager Olivier Cohn.
The cancellation insurance has finally convinced Adrien, 44, sponsorship manager in a Parisian establishment, to book.
This summer, he intends to make the most of the Spanish Balearic archipelago.
With his partner and a friend, he plans to visit Ibiza and then Formentera.
“
We couldn't make up our minds, to project ourselves.
Then finally this friend encouraged us and we took the plunge
”.
His credo: come what may.
With the assurance, however, of being reimbursed the total amount of his reservation in the event of an unforeseen event requiring him to cancel his trip ...