| Travel executives are betting that this summer will be one of the busiest yet even with soaring inflation as consumers excited to leave home will splurge on vacations – potentially going further afield and venturing back into tourist hot spots
For its part, ToursByLocals, the Canadian-based company that connects discerning travellers in search of customized, private tours with handpicked tour guides in 189 countries worldwide, sees “substantial demand” for travel heading into the busy summer season after more than two years of Covid-19 restrictions.
“May was an all time record month for us after nearly 14 years in business,” says ToursByLocals CEO Paul Melhus. “Previously our best sales month was March 2019, before the collapse of international tourism. When we entered 2022 with the wave of Omicron and then the war in Ukraine, we didn’t expect to be setting records this soon. It’s a testament to travellers’ pent-up demand. And already, June sales are set to outpace May.”
Travellers from Canada and beyond are rushing to tourist hotspots this summer, particularly Europe. And in anticipation of crowds, many travellers are choosing to book tours with skip the line privileges. Here are the Top 10 tours booked on the ToursByLocals marketplace for the summer of 2022.
PARIS | Avoid the lines and experience the Louvre with an award winning artist: https://www.toursbylocals.com/Paris-Louvre-AnArtistsPrivateTour
ROME | The secret Vatican tour – skip the long lines and discover exclusive rooms: https://www.toursbylocals.com/Vatican-Experience-4-Hours
LONDON | From prisoners to the crown jewels, tour the Tower of London and the ancient city with a Blue Badge guide: https://www.toursbylocals.com/toweroflondonprivatetourlondon
LISBON | Immerse yourself in Lisbon’s old districts on this half-day walking tour + tram ride too!: https://www.toursbylocals.com/lisbonsolddistrictsprivatetourbymarta
 Lisbon, Portugal. JIM BYERS PHOTO ATHENS | Step back in time at the Acropolis with a local archeologist: https://www.toursbylocals.com/acropolismuseumclassicalprivatetour
FLORENCE | Fall in love with Florence – tour the acclaimed Uffizi and Accademia Galleries with a lifelong resident: https://www.toursbylocals.com/FlorenceEssentialsUffiziAccademiaGalleries
BARCELONA | The four wonders of Gaudi – skip the line to see Barcelona’s architectural masterpieces: https://www.toursbylocals.com/GaudiBarcelona4H-PrivateTourGuide
VENICE | Get acquainted with vibrant Venice: https://www.toursbylocals.com/VeniceOrientationTour
AMSTERDAM | Explore the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum with your own art historian: https://www.toursbylocals.com/best-museums-in-amsterdam-private-tour
ISTANBUL | Introducing the private wonders of Istanbul: a full day exploring the heart of the city: https://www.toursbylocals.com/OldCityWonders-privatetour |
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Jim, I think you are one of the hardest working media people in Travel! Thank you for your continuous blog posts – sometime several a day. You keep us all connected with the news, and ongoing changes – particularly through the pandemic. Appreciate this. Also that your posts announcing news generally arrive minutes or hours ahead of others. Can tell you’ve worked in newsrooms with tight deadlines and pressure. Plus, like your style of writing. Look forward to all your future content!
Well, thanks, Diane. I’m speechless! You’re so very kind, and it’s greatly appreciated.