This text is part of the special book Plaisirs
While many are still planning their summer vacations, tour operators are already inviting us to look to the horizon and book our getaways in the sun for next winter as soon as possible.
The last few months have shown this: more than ever, prices are skyrocketing the closer we get to the departure date. Both Transat and Air Canada Vacations have promotional campaigns that encourage vacationers to book their South packages several months in advance.
Director of #Jesuisvoyageur, a division of the travel agency 1001 destinations, Gitane Charron observes that the effects of supply and demand are more visible than before. “If someone wants to travel during a busy time like Christmas or Spring Break, as far in advance as possible is best,” she says. It was already true before the COVID, it is even more so now. »
Among all the tour operators consulted for this article, the most popular destinations remain those accessible by direct flights, particularly Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Cuba. Among the rising destinations, Gitane Charron mentions Curaçao, in the Caribbean Sea. “In my opinion, Curaçao will come back strong this winter. We also have requests for Guadeloupe and Martinique, but only Club Med offers the all-inclusive formula there. Most people will opt for renting apartments in these destinations. »
Get out of the classics
The southern United States is also one of the big favourites. Since 2022, Air Transat has added year-round connections to San Francisco and Los Angeles to its offering, in addition to Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Florida. “It’s a very important market for us,” says Bernard Côté, director of public relations and social media at Transat.
Cities in Central and South America are also gaining popularity. “There’s an appetite to explore the South a little more adventurously in destinations like Panama and Colombia,” observes Mr. Côté. There is a way to get out of packages and go beyond the beaches by opting for a dry flight. »
In addition to Antigua, Barbados and Nassau, all accessible by direct flight, Selma Filali, senior director of marketing and e-commerce at Air Canada Vacations, recommends the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean Sea. “The north coast and the south-west coast offer spectacular sites for snorkeling and scuba diving. »
What stands out this year at Sunwing? The craze for group travel. “We already have a lot of reservations for next winter, between December 2023 and April 2024,” said Lyne Chayer, general manager of Sunwing Quebec. […] We are also seeing the return of groups: corporate, wedding, intergenerational… Companies even invite their employees with their spouses. We didn’t see that before the pandemic. »
Travel differently
Far from the classic tour operators, Vaolo, a platform for promoting the Village Monde Foundation’s offer, concocts packages without shorter flights – generally two nights – that can be added to a longer stay. . For example, in Costa Rica, there are as many packages for two people with lunch at the Ylang Ylang Beach Resort, an establishment located in Montezuma, in the Nicoya Peninsula, from $432 a night, as at the La Amistad hostel. –Asoprola, at the gates of La Amistad International Park, from $74 a night. In each case, an activity to do in the area is included.
“Vaolo’s offer is structured around accommodation, explains the co-founder, Jean-Sébastien Noël, but it is the experiences that we mainly highlight. It’s our attempt to slow the traveler down, support the local economy and foster encounters. The proposed activity is either managed by the accommodation itself, or else nearby, and was found by one of our explorers, who visited the region. »
Launched in 2017, Vaolo now lists 12,000 experiences in 82 countries. Even more than the place, it is the actions taken that are decisive in the choice of a proposal. By its mere presence, village accommodation can, for example, contribute to curbing the rural exodus.
To take out insurance or not?
Identify eco-responsible hotels
This content was produced by the Special Publications team of the Duty, relating to marketing. The drafting of Duty did not take part.