Now it can be autumn holidays abroad – E24

– Everything indicates that many will take the autumn holidays abroad, says leader Astrid Bergmål in Virke Reiseliv to NTB.

Earlier this week, the Ministry of Health and Care Services announced that all adults in Norway will have been offered their second vaccine dose by the latter half of September.

Several municipalities have also accelerated the vaccination hours for their inhabitants, which means that most Norwegians will be fully vaccinated by the autumn holidays starting the first week of October. This is good news for those who long for a trip abroad.

– For those who have been fully vaccinated, there is no requirement for quarantine or quarantine hotels when you return to Norway after the holiday. Thus, it is unproblematic for Norwegians who dream of an autumn holiday in Palmesus, to start planning a trip abroad this autumn, says Bergmål.

Prime Minister Erna Solberg (H) and Minister of Health Bent Høie (H) believe that the rest of Norway’s coronation measures can also be lifted in September if the vaccination goes as planned. Then you will be able to hug, dance and live normally again. It also benefits the travel industry.

Demand is rising from families

Because when the risk of entry quarantine is out of the question, it is likely that more families with children will also travel again.

Travel agencies such as TUI have announced that several families are showing interest in traveling abroad this autumn.

– Last year we did not have capacity in the autumn holiday weeks, due to travel restrictions from Norway, so we are very optimistic this year, says communications consultant Laura Aaltonen in TUI to NTB.

In the last week, searches for travel during the autumn holiday week at the travel agency have increased by 50 percent. At the very top of the search list are popular holiday destinations such as Gran Canaria, Crete and Rhodes.

– We can see from the traffic on our website that Norwegians’ interest in traveling abroad is increasing in line with increasing vaccination rates, Aaltonen explains.

According to Virke Reiseliv, this is because several families with children dare to travel again when the adults have been fully vaccinated. However, children risk three days of home quarantine when they return home.

– This is great news for everyone who dreams of an autumn holiday in Europe, says Bergmål.

Almost sold out

The airlines are also looking positively at the autumn, and they are experiencing increased demand from travelers.

During the autumn holidays, SAS flies a total of 3,900 flights, of which 800 are abroad.

– It has long been good with orders for late summer and beyond the autumn, press manager John Eckhoff in SAS informs NTB.

There is a capacity of approximately 50 percent international flights compared with 2019. Norwegian is also delighted with this autumn’s booking figures.

– Several departures are soon sold out for the autumn holidays. So it is certainly not too early to book a place on board, says press officer Andreas Hjørnholm in Norwegian to NTB.

The airline has experienced a sharp increase in bookings recently, but Hjørnholm still recommends Norwegians to wait until they have been fully vaccinated for at least two weeks before leaving the country.

– Several require that it takes at least 14 days from the second vaccine dose to entry. It differs from country to country and can be changed without notice, he warns.

Travelers are advised to follow the updated travel advice on EU websites.

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