Valley travel expert: Book now to avoid increasing prices, limited availability

PHOENIX – A Valley travel advisor is recommending people book their vacation early to avoid increasing prices and limited availability as a result of updated travel guidance for those fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Under the new guidance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) called travel for fully vaccinated individuals “low-risk.”

“Even though we’ve been on lockdown and there’s been some great values in terms of travel and prices, the prices that we’re seeing are going up and they’re going up pretty quickly, and pretty dramatically,” Janet Semenova, co-founder of Boutique Travel Advisors in Paradise Valley, told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Friday.

Availability to open destinations, Semenova predicted, will also decrease due to the potential influx of travelers in track with the recent uptick airports have seen.

The Transportation Security Administration on March 26 screened over 1.5 million people at airports nationwide, the highest since March 12, 2020.

Semenova said the vaccine and the new travel recommendations provide confidence and peace of mind to vaccinated travelers.

However, Semenova said most of her clients are still opting for trips with outdoor activities amid the pandemic.

“They’re really ready to get outside and enjoy all of the beautiful places that we have in the United States as well as beach destinations outside of the U.S.,” Semenova said.

Among the most popular places her clients are traveling to include Montana, Idaho, Colorado, Alaska and Mexico due to their abundance of outdoor activates and eased restrictions.

Semenova recommended consulting a travel advisor before planning a trip for the best travel experience amid the pandemic.

Despite its updated guidance, the CDC continues to discourage non-essential travel.