Photo: Provided
Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun, Mexico
As pandemic restrictions are lifted, the world is reopening for travelers.
And, with the urge to travel, many are turning to travel planning experts to help them book trips.
“There’s no stopping people,” says Jodi MacDonald, managing partner of UniGlobe Direct Travel in Kelowna. “People want to see the world and make memories.”
Popular destinations for McDonald’s clients are Mexico and Europe, and small group tours are also popular, she said.
In Mexico, many high-end resorts have made it through the pandemic restrictions to renew and refresh and come back stronger than ever.
MacDonald said the new resorts offer great deals, pointing to some Hyatt properties in Mexico’s Mayan Riviera region.
Both the one-year-old Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun, which will open in December, and the new adults-only Hyatt Zilara Riviera Cancun are top-notch all-inclusive resorts that are popular with sun vacationers, she said. .
With easy flight access and only a five- to six-hour flight, Mexico is a popular destination, especially for families.
From Kelowna, there are now three direct routes to the popular Mexican holiday spots of Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Cancun, with two weekly flights to Cancun and Puerto Vallarta.
According to MacDonald, the new five-star properties are offering great deals to attract visitors, in some cases saving travelers as much as $1,200 per person.
“So people should definitely take advantage of the new properties,” she said.
But act quickly. Next year’s spring break is booking up really fast.
“It’s important to plan ahead,” MacDonald said.
McDonald’s says many travelers are already booking for next year to take advantage of higher prices and travel.
With airfares looking good right now thanks to discounts offered by airlines and airports, and summer flight woes easing, now is a good time to book a trip.
“(Air) travel has improved since the summer,” MacDonald said. “Airlines and airports are hiring and training more people. It’s an encouraging turn.”
And it’s not just resorts that offer incentives to attract return travelers.
Avalon Waterways offers itineraries without charging a single supplement, representing significant savings for those looking to see a different view of Europe from the water.
“There are some really good deals and we’re finding that more and more solo travelers are making the trips,” MacDonald said.
Small group tours are also growing in popularity. Companies like G Adventures and Exodus Travels, two Canadian tour operators, offer unique eight- to 16-person group tours to many destinations that range from three to four days to 35 days.
As part of a small group tour, you not only get a more intimate view of your destination, but you also get to know your travel companions and have a knowledgeable guide accompany you throughout your trip.
“They speak the language, know local hidden gems, and you learn about the history, religion and culture of the people in the places you visit,” MacDonald said.
With such wonderful experiences, small group tours are gaining popularity and as a result, are being booked more and more. In some cases, Uniglobe clients are already booking to 2024 to take advantage of current pricing.
Popular destinations for group tours include Jordan, Turkey, Morocco and Egypt. G Adventures and Exodus offers tours to more than 90 countries and has more than 600 itineraries to offer passengers.
So, when you’re ready to travel, contact a travel planning professional at UniGlobe Direct Travel. With knowledgeable, professional service, its consultants will save you time and money
Contact Uniglobe Direct Travel at 250 860-0808 or through its website at uniglobedirect.com.
Photo: Provided
UniGlobe Direct Travel Consultants (from left) Christine Clark, Kim Semenoff and Jodi MacDonald and their dogs Herbie and Trooper.
This article was written by or on behalf of the sponsoring client and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
