Passover Programs Industry Post-COVID
The Passover programs industry was experiencing rapid growth, with over 140 programs planned for 2020. Then the completely unexpected happened. A global pandemic essentially shut down life as we know it. Travel and tourism were especially hard hit. There was a two-year period when vacation and air travel were completely suspended and occasionally opened but limited. It was very difficult for tour operators to organize programs or for travelers to plan vacations due to the uncertainties. COVID rules and regulations varied from country to country and were constantly changing. All Pesach programs were canceled in April 2020 as most of the world was in lock down. There were limited but very successful Passover programs in 2021. Mostly people kept within their borders because there was always the possibility that a country would be locked down.
Passover 2022 saw an almost complete recovery of the Passover programs industry. There were Passover programs throughout Europe and the United States as well as Dubai, Bahamas, South America, Panama, South Africa, Mexico, Morocco and Israel. The tour operators are starting to organize Passover programs for 2023. The operators that might have sat out Passover 2022 because of COVID uncertainties will certainly be planning for 2023.
It is clear from the success of Passover programs in 2022 and interest in Sukkot programs for 2022 that holiday programs are back in business. Travel and tourism are coming back strong with travelers taking to the skies for business and vacation that they have been missing for the past two years. The world of travel is finally returning to “normal” with many countries getting rid of COVID testing and mask requirements in airports and on planes. With mass vaccinations and so many people recovered from COVID, there is less fear of contagion. People are more comfortable with flying, being around other people and returning to hotels.
There have been many lasting changes that came out of the COVID pandemic. Many of these changes are for the better. More people working from home, spending more time with their families and better availability of online services. There is greater concern for hygiene and cleanliness among individuals and businesses. One of the biggest changes to the travel industry is that more people are investing in travel insurance. When programs were forced to cancel in 2020, something which had never happened before, everyone was caught unprepared. Tour operators were fighting to get money back from hotels while guests were trying to get refunds from operators. All flights were canceled and airlines were inundated with refund requests.
It has since become regular practice for travelers to purchase travel insurance to cover canceled flights and canceled programs. Most Passover programs recommend that their guests purchase travel insurance. In hindsight, it makes sense that people spending thousands of dollars on a Passover program or really any vacation should purchase travel insurance. Most travelers would routinely purchase medical travel insurance but rarely purchased policies for flight cancellations or programs being canceled. Flights were usually rebooked quickly and people were able to go on their planned vacations. When COVID hit, everything was canceled and there was no rebooking. Travelers learned a tough lesson and most purchase insurance.
Once travel started again, some countries required proof of travel insurance that covered COVID related issues. In addition to flight cancelations and changing regulations, there was the issue of getting COVID while in a foreign country. The countries didn’t want to incur the costs of tourists’ COVID-related medical expenses. Travelers needed insurance to cover medical and hotel bills in case they were stuck in a foreign country having tested positive with COVID. Infections rates have gone down but people are still getting sick, sometimes for the second time. Getting ill in a foreign country while on vacation without any insurance ends up costing a lot more in the long run.
One of the biggest changes in the Passover programs industry in 2022 was more people purchasing travel insurance. The trend to purchase travel insurance is likely to continue since one never knows what the future holds. It’s the lesson learned in the game of LIFE. Always purchase the car, life and fire insurance or you’ll land on one of the “tragedy” spaces which cost players a lot of money. Real life is not much different. It’s worthwhile to purchase the insurance and hope that you will never have to use it.
The Passover programs industry experienced a very strong revival in 2022. People love going away for the holiday of Passover. It’s a big hassle and a lot work to prepare the holiday at home. It looks like this industry will continue to grow. More tour operators are likely to enter the field next year. Passover 2023 could be the biggest year for the Passover programs industry. It’s not too early to research Passover programs for next year. Programs sold out very quickly in 2022 and are expected to fill up even earlier in 2023.
