With kerosene prices on the rise, travellers have become more cautious and are asking more questions – but they remain eager to travel, according to the manager of a Luxembourg travel agency.
Signs of potential kerosene shortages have emerged, with some airlines cutting flights and certain hotels increasing their prices. So how is the travel sector in Luxembourg responding? Are people more hesitant to book?
On Thursday morning, business was rather quiet at one Luxembourg-based travel agency. A customer, visiting a travel agency for the first time, said that while reassurance was not her main reason for coming in person, she acknowledged it played a part. She added that she was not worried, noting that if anything were cancelled, the agency would help her find a solution.
Francesco Mastropietro, the agency's manager, said that those currently rebooking or cancelling are mainly travellers who had planned trips to the Gulf region. According to Mastropietro, customers booking now are more likely to add insurance and adjust their travel plans in general.
Visitors to a shopping centre on Thursday morning told RTL that they view the car as a good alternative for the upcoming summer. One woman said she might book more spontaneously than she usually would.
While using a car circumvents the issue of potential kerosene shortages, some travellers still wish to book flights. How certain can they be that their flight will actually take place? According to Mastropietro, this depends on the airline. He also reminded travellers that in the event of cancellations, it is the airlines who are responsible for rebooking. For those who booked through a travel agency, the agency will try to arrange the best available alternative.
On the question of price, Mastropietro offered reassurance: even if fuel prices rise, the cost of a holiday that has already been booked will not increase. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that customers are more cautious and are asking more questions.
Fernand Heinisch, president of the Federation of Travel Agencies, explained in an interview with our colleagues from RTL Télé that despite multiple global crises, people generally remain eager to travel. He noted that demand for summer and winter holidays continues to be high, even though some destinations in West Asia have dropped out due to the war in Iran. This has primarily benefited popular European destinations such as Spain, Italy, France, and Greece. However, prices have risen due to high energy, food, and staff costs.
While there is some concern over kerosene shortages and potential flight cancellations, the sector currently expects that the majority of flights this summer will be maintained. Unprofitable short-haul flights are most at risk of being cut, Heinisch said.
According to Heinisch, those who book through a travel agency have more reassurance, particularly regarding travel warnings and cancellations. Conversely, travellers who book online by themselves face greater risk. Plane tickets, especially to Asia, have become more expensive because important transit destinations such as Dubai are no longer available, Heinisch explained. At the same time, travel to the United States has declined sharply, a shortfall that is being partially offset by Canada and Asia.
Cruises and destinations in northern Europe, such as Norway and Iceland, have grown in popularity as they are seen as stable destinations, Heinisch noted. He advised travellers not to wait too long to book and ideally to do so through a travel agency in order to benefit from expert advice and greater reassurance.
