Travel Agents Encouraging People To Make Holiday Reservations Soon

The holiday season is around the corner, so families are booking flights and vacations. Traveling during the holiday season can be stressful, but for Arturo Vargas, the stress is worth it to be able to see his family in Columbia for the first time in nearly two years.

“It’s been tough. Been kind of rough. Seeing your family every year at least once and then, to not see them for two years. It takes a lot of out of you," said Vargas.

He said flying to Columbia last year wasn't possible because of the pandemic. This year, he knows the paperwork and COVID-19 tests he needs to travel and doing your research ahead of time is what travel agents are recommending.

“Some of the states just have different things that are going on. For example, in New Orleans, if you go into New Orleans proper you need to make sure that you have your vaccination card with you because they are checking for that. In San Francisco they are also doing the vaccination card," said Jonnie Herring.

Herring is a travel agent with Vincent Vacations and said more people are booking family vacations over the holidays and said some resorts are filling up quickly because there is a guest limit. She said to plan ahead for any issues to come up.

“Just thinking on travel for the pandemic you have to pack your patience because there is a lot of different things going on right now in the world that kind of stop planes or you know have hindrances to getting to the places that you need to go," said Herring.

Vargas said he's hoping to fly to Columbia in December to see his family. “Just spend as much time as I can with them. Just getting to hug and just really be with them," said Vargas.

Herring said flight prices are going to continue to rise through the holiday season. She said if you haven't booked your flight yet, you'll want to do that as soon as possible.