Going on family holidays used to be one of each summer's goals: where to go on holiday, how many days to spend, whether hotels had entertainment and children's areas and, in general, whether they were safe for the whole family.
Today, after a pandemic that just won't go away, 2021 holiday deals seem shaky due to uncertainty over the measures in place, a vaccine that hasn't fully convinced people and insufficient vaccination programmes.
On the other hand, the tragic collapse of the tourism industry in 2020 (both travel and hotels) has left its mark on all consumers. Summer holidays in 2021 don't look or feel like previous years, and caution prevails.
This is good, of course, because people are aware of the danger COVID-19 poses, but it also makes it impossible to forecast or plan ahead, especially in the near term, as a large percentage of consumers prefer to book between three weeks and a month in advance, according to a survey presented at the Online Marketing and SEO Congress for the tourism sector in February 2021.
However, if you decide to take your family holidays, there are some tips you can follow to enjoy a few days' rest safely.
Flexible booking policies
Many airlines, hotels, excursion companies and others want to make it easy to cancel trips, even a few days before the travel date, without losing your money.
Take advantage of this, and if you need to cancel you can do so at no cost to you.
Where to go on holiday
In Spain, according to the study mentioned above, families prefer outdoor activities such as beaches and mountains. This preference is mainly due to COVID-19 outbreaks, which are easier to control outdoors.
In addition, holidays with children usually need places where the little ones can burn off all their pent-up energy. Nothing beats the beach or the mountains, where excursions and walks (on foot or by bike) are the order of the day.
Buy travel insurance
To make your summer holidays 100% safe, relaxed and protected, experts recommend taking out travel insurance and booking with companies and hotels that allow cancellations without extra charges.
Regularly check 2021 holiday deals on travel websites and find out which hotels offer this option. Some even let you book without paying upfront, paying instead when you arrive at the hotel.
Follow preventive measures
During holidays with children, however free the whole family may feel, basic safety measures must still be followed. You'll need to wear your face mask everywhere, just as you would in your own city, and keep a safe distance.
These measures may continue until the end of 2021, especially on planes, trains, in hotels and anywhere people gather in large numbers.
Staying safe during family holidays is essential. So 2021 holidays promise to be different from other years.
