Coronavirus restrictions are easing, but is it

safe to start booking overseas trips for next

year?
By Bridget Judd
Posted Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 5:00am , updated Thu 12 Nov 2020 at 8:36am

Flexible bookings, such as the ability to change dates in the event of a travel ban,
should be a key consideration. (Unsplash: Jeshoots)

How's a half-price trip to Bali sound? Or maybe a two-for-one cruise through the Norwegian fjords?

As coronavirus restrictions continue to ease, and some semblance of normality returns to daily life, you
wouldn't be alone in contemplating your next overseas holiday.

And with everything from "flexible" accommodation packages to discounted sightseeing tours suddenly
on offer in the leadup to the silly season, now might seem like the perfect time to pick up a steal — even
if you're not planning on packing your bags for another 12 months.

But with international borders still closed, and authorities tight-lipped on timelines for a reprieve, how
safe is it to book ahead?

"The whole thing is so unpredictable," offers travel writer and podcaster, Ute Junker.
As coronavirus restrictions continue to ease, and some semblance of normality
eturns to daily life, you wouldn't be alone in contemplating your next overseas
holiday. (Unsplash: Annie Spratt)

"Will you be able to get out of the country? Will you be able to get into the country you want to go to?
Will the flight you've managed to book, is it actually going to depart?

"Travel at the moment has so many moveable parts."

'The terms and conditions are so varied'

While domestic packages continue to eclipse the market for international travel, Junker says, "there are
offers coming online".

And with many marketed as valid for one or two years from the time of purchase, making a booking with
a bit of wiggle room may seem like a safe bet.

But while the fruition of coronavirus has introduced an element of flexibility when it comes to refunds
and cancellations, says Leanne Wiseman, a professor of law at Griffith University, "it still very much
depends on what the terms and conditions are".

"So, whether you'll get a full refund, a cash refund or a credit... whether there's any restrictions or
blackout periods... but also I think in terms of deposits, whether there's a non-refundable deposit," she
says.

"I've had a quick look at many of the holiday deals going on and the terms and conditions are so varied,
so it's important people are aware of what they're signing up for and what they should expect to get
back if things don't go to plan."

It's a sentiment echoed by Jodi Bird, a travel expert at CHOICE, who says flexible bookings — such as the
ability to change dates in the event of a travel ban — should be a key consideration in light of the
current circumstances.
 But he's cautioned prospective travellers pay close attention to expiry dates — even if you think you'll be
heading abroad by then.

With international borders still closed, how safe is it to book ahead? (Unsplash:
Federico Gutierrez)

"So if they're valid for one year, then you have to look at the likelihood of travel happening in one year
versus two years," he says.

"One year at this stage could be a bit optimistic, so what happens at the end of one year? Do you get a
refund, or does it just expire and you don't get your money back?"

What about travel insurance?

Booking directly with the service provider, rather than a reseller, could also save you a headache down
the track, adds Junker, because the cancellation policies "tend to be simpler and you're just dealing with
one person".

There is, however, the elephant in the room: travel insurance.

With coronavirus now deemed a "known event", those planning on purchasing insurance may not be
covered for medical or cancellation expenses relating to contracting the disease, or from changes to
travel plans that result from quarantine measures.

"At the moment, I'm not aware of any travel insurance that will cover coronavirus if you get coronavirus,
or if there's travel restrictions placed because of coronavirus," Bird offers.

"We're only aware of one travel insurer that will even sell a policy for people travelling internationally at
the moment, and that's dependant on people getting the appropriate approvals to even leave the
country."

Those considering taking the plunge without insurance should think twice, echoes Junker.
 Prospective medical bills aside, coronavirus has significantly increased the "complications of getting
stranded".

"The risk of catching coronavirus is, in one way, the simplest thing," she says.

"It's the complications of getting stranded when a flight is cancelled, ending up in a country you don't
want to be in because you're halfway to your destination, or ending up in a country that might shut its
borders and you can't get out — we haven't seen that yet, but who the hell knows?

Something as simple as an airport being temporarily shut could throw your travel
plans into disarray. (Reuters: Kham)

"We all know what happens when a case of COVID is found at, say, a school — the school closes down for
a day or two and has a deep clean.

"Now, imagine that happens at a major airport. It won't take much to throw our travel plans out of whack."

So, where should you go?

So, you've read through the terms and conditions and understand the risks, but the pull of travel has
proven just too strong?

Now is the time to do your research, says Junker, who believes coronavirus may prompt some to rethink
their top destinations.

"Places like New York and London which are traditionally very popular with Australian travellers, I think
they're going to be off the radar for a bit," she says.

"But if you're a traveller and you're feeling really frustrated and you want to be if not booking at least
planning, you know what? Do a bit of research and see what countries have done surprisingly well."
While cautioning that no international destination should be considered a "safe" choice, Junker notes
that eventual travel into some countries, like New Zealand, would appear to be a more realistic option
than others.

"I can't see the Australian Government saying, 'Okay, you can go wherever you want'. So you should try
and work out which countries are going to open up first," she says.

"I think we've all worked out that NZ, South Pacific and parts of Asia are destinations that are going to be
open to us sooner than North America, so do a bit of research and get excited.

"We all have a list of destinations, and it may just be time to reorder those."

What you need to know about coronavirus:

Who needs to wear a face mask in Victoria and when
The symptoms
The number of cases in Australia
Global cases, deaths and testing rates
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