Czech people are eagerly preparing for summer vacations at the seaside, with the first destinations already sold out. Travel agencies are reporting record-breaking sales and bookings for this year’s summer vacations. The demand has been so high that some hotels and dates are already fully booked, leaving little to no availability for last-minute deals.

The increasing prices of essential expenses such as food and energy have affected the budgets of many Czech households in the past year. Due to this uncertainty, there were concerns about how Czech people would behave this year and whether they would opt for seaside vacations considering the higher financial demands. However, travel agencies now have a clear picture as they report overwhelming interest and record sales from Czech people. This surge in demand may even prevent those waiting for last-minute offers from finding available spots.

The demand for vacation packages is on the rise, and several travel agencies have already sold out for specific destinations and dates. For example, České kormidlo, Fischer, and Exim Tours have already sold about two-thirds of their packages. Availability varies depending on the dates and destinations, with some hotels in popular locations like Turkey or Greek islands having only a few remaining spots, while others are fully booked.

A specific demand within the sold capacities is for 2+2 rooms, which are double rooms with two extra beds. These rooms are advantageous for families as a child on an extra bed is either free or pays only the airfare price. On the other hand, if a family of four chooses two double rooms, the hotels charge the total price for the child on a regular bed, making the vacation significantly more expensive.

The current high demand for summer vacations may result in a repeat of last season’s conclusion, where clients who usually wait for last-minute deals at favorable prices end up with limited options. While flexible vacationers without specific dates or destinations can still find last-minute possibilities, families with children, larger groups, or those with fixed schedules will have to choose from the remaining available hotels.

This surge in demand for summer vacations contradicts the recent trend of discounted last-minute trips. Travel prices have been gradually increasing, and travel agencies have less reason to reduce costs or offer last-minute deals due to the significant interest in summer vacations. According to Jiřina Ekrt Jirušková, spokesperson for Invia travel agency, vacation package prices are rising, and rooms are not being sold at the last minute as frequently.

Travel agencies face the challenge of estimating customer demand and making purchases accordingly, including pre-contracted accommodations and transportation. The pandemic has significantly impacted the travel industry, with nearly 30% of travel agencies ceasing operations or going out of business. This reduction in market volume has slightly increased the demand for vacations offered by active travel agencies as clients sought alternatives.

Although there has been a slight increase in capacities compared to last year, the overall capacity in the Czech market is still lower than the pre-COVID year of 2019. Jan Papež, Vice Chairman of the Association of Travel Agencies, expects that the number of Czech people traveling abroad with travel agencies this year will be slightly lower.

In conclusion, Czech people’s enthusiasm for seaside vacations has surpassed expectations, leading to record sales for travel agencies. The limited availability and increasing prices indicate a shift away from last-minute deals, emphasizing the need for early planning and booking to secure desired vacation packages.

Article by Prague Forum