Ugur proposes a staggered holiday system-potentially condensing the core summer break to three or four weeks and extending it with an additional two weeks in November This, he argues, would reduce congestion during the hottest months and contribute to more moderate pricing
The company executive highlighted the concept of “joker days”-flexible travel dates outside of peak periods-as another mechanism to enhance affordability and availability He explained that concentrated demand at the start of holidays drives prices up significantly, while alternative dates can offer substantial savings – sometimes up to 50%
Ugur also touched upon the practical challenges of learning in schools during heatwaves, suggesting that investment in climate control could enable continued instruction even during the summer months
Booking trends already reflect a growing awareness of climate concerns among travelers Bentour Reisen has observed a surge in demand for travel during shoulder seasons – April, May, June and October – with November increasingly becoming a popular destination While Southern European destinations remain appealing, travelers are demonstrably showing a preference for cooler climates
However, Ugur cautions that Northern European destinations have capacity limitations and are not a sustainable solution for all travelers He asserts the continued importance of the Mediterranean region, emphasizing the need for lower prices, achievable through a more distributed holiday schedule
