Europe experiences sudden demand for tourism. Travelers are struggling due to the pandemic’s recent adjustments.

The ease of COVID-19 protocols has paved the way for the mobility of people, the economy, and the tourism industry. For the past two years, this is the first time state restrictions are altered to boost the travel industry and generate income. 

With the start of summer in most countries, tourists from all over the world are looking for places to relax, unwind and shake the stress off… and one of the most popular spots for tourists is Europe. However, due to huge travel demand in the area, airports in Europe are now declaring a shortage of manpower and disrupted operations. The difficulty in keeping up with the change is shown in this year’s demand, which surpassed the demand in 2019.

Just for the past two weeks, delays and cancellation of flights have reached 100 every day at airports in Europe. Passengers’ waiting time has been prolonged for at least 6 hours, causing them to wander around the airports. 

The court mandated abrupt end of mandatory face mask protocol in the US even contributed to the travel industry's problem. This makes more people prone to the virus because airports’ management teams do not have enough control over the passengers. 

Why are we only experiencing this problem now? What is causing this issue? 

The influx of demand for the mobility of tourists lies in the lifting of travel restrictions by countries in Europe. Through the governments’ newly issued mandates, more people are interested in visiting European tourist spots. This surge started in April and is expected to continue in the next few months. 

It’s “the perfect storm,” as the tourism industry likes to call it. 

One great reason for the shortage of employees at airports is the downsizing that happened during the height of the pandemic. Thousands of flight attendants, airport security, and airport personnel were laid off. While being idle during the crisis, these workers realized that going back to their long hours of work, paired with the low compensation they receive, is not worth it. Though companies can hire new employees to replenish the vacancies, they cannot fill them up on time for the peak season this summer. 

According to the Director of the Dutch Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators, Frank Oostdam, what the industry is experiencing right now is due to “bad planning.”

What if you have already booked your flight as of the announcement of this news? Is there anything you can do? 

As you expect the following scenarios at European airports below, here are some tips to help ease your burden with this unprecedented dilemma:

1. Flight cancellations and delays - Standing in line for long hours is just one of the things you should be prepared for. So, you must pack enough water, snacks, and a lot of patience. Always have the airline’s contact details to get your questions answered faster and more efficiently.
2. Rescheduling of flights - To make the most out of your trip, choose the most direct route to your destination. Also, check if there are flights scheduled to your destination on a specific day so you have a Plan B in case some weather disturbance occurs. 
3. Sudden change in flight schedules - Install your airline’s official mobile app to keep you updated with the latest schedules and changes in case a flight delay or cancellation happens. 
4. Baggage delivery delays - Due to the limited number of crews, baggage may be left unattended by the management. Worst case scenario, it might get shuffled in other flights. It may even take a week to recover the luggage. So, remember to pack lightly and only have the essentials as much as possible to avoid the hassle of losing them along the way.

Who should we ask for help?

There are two ways airline companies can address your concerns. They can:

1. Give you a refund for the ticket 
2. Reschedule your flight

However, keep in mind that they cannot reimburse you for any amount incurred in your hotel accommodations, rental fees and pre-booked services. 

In this case, acquiring travel insurance is one way to go. Just remember to print out all the necessary documents and details related to your trip. Also, you must review the insurance policy, especially the amount covered by the security. Lastly, choose the tour with the most flexible cancellation policies if possible. 

Having a travel advisor also helps. While they may not provide absolute assurance to ensure you’ll have a smooth flight, they can help make your journey a lot easier.

— 

As we slowly recover from the depths of the pandemic, there are still a lot of struggles the travel industry has to go through. 

… and if you’re asking, 

“How tough can we be amid these issues?” 

The answer is for us to know and test in the next coming years.