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Your package holiday ‘will cost more for THREE YEARS – but prices will eventually return to pre-pandemic levels’

YOUR summer holiday is expected to cost more for the next three years due to the coronavirus crisis, experts have warned.

While it's hoped they will eventually return to pre-pandemic levels, flights and hotels may end up being pricier.

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Holidays could cost more for the next three years, travel experts have warned
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Holidays could cost more for the next three years, travel experts have warnedCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Kuoni's UK Managing Director Derek Jones told Travel Weekly that while hotels will offer low prices to encourage bookings initially, prices will increase for the next few years.

He explained: "I think you might see some really good offers in the marketplace right through to the middle of next year, at least."

However, he added: "I think we will see capacity constrained over the next maybe two, three years, which inevitably is going to mean the prices will start to move as they yield off lower capacities."

Airlines and tour operators are already offering cheap deals next year - easyJet has launched flights for summer 2021 while LoveHolidays and On The Beach have great deals to Spain and Greece next year.

Other travel experts have expressed concerns over the cost of future holidays, with expectations of doubling prices.

Flights are likely to cost more, with some saying up to 30 per cent
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Flights are likely to cost more, with some saying up to 30 per centCredit: Reuters

Martyn James, from consumer website Resolver, said "it’s likely the cost of overseas package deals will double," adding that guests will also get less for their money with limits on buffets and swimming pool access.

Aviation expert Matt Purton added the price of flights could rise by 30 per cent after lockdown, while Paul Charles, from The PC Agency travel consultancy, said holiday prices will rise as “airlines will have to make more money from their economy passengers”.

There is some good news - Mr Jones also predicts prices will go back to pre-pandemic levels with cheap holidays available one day.

He said: "I don’t see a fundamental shift in the position of holidays in terms of value, I think it will level back to something similar to the position we’re in today."

He also said that while "getting there will be more expensive," meaning flights and cruises might cost more, properties in tourist destinations are likely to offer cheap prices with "land prices once you’re there being slightly lower."

Thankfully, holiday prices are expected to even out over time
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Thankfully, holiday prices are expected to even out over timeCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Holidays abroad are unlikely to start again soon, despite airlines such as Ryanair and British Airways restarting flights from July.

The UK government still advises against all non-essential travel, which isn't likely to change in the upcoming months.

Countries such as Portugal and Greece are looking into ways to allow Brits to return, such as "air bridges" which would let international travellers avoid the 14-day quarantine.

Yet with borders still closed and a mandatory two-week quarantine when returning to the UK from abroad, staycations may be the only holidays this summer.

The government also warned that plans, revealed by the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, to allow people to fly between countries where the spread of the virus is low, are not going to be put into practice anytime soon.

A Whitehall source told The Daily Mail: "The quarantine rules will be reviewed every three weeks but I think people would be unwise to book a foreign holiday in the expectation that an 'air bridge' will open up in time for the summer holidays.

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"It's the sort of idea you might look at as you exit a quarantine system. But we are just getting started."

Haven are offering reduced prices for holidays this year as parks may be forced to offer reduced ties and facilities.

Brits given hope for staycations from July as Culture Secretary says 'ambitious' plans underway

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