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+35-50% prices
How much holiday packages have risen since 2023.
Market reality Guide · Holidays 2026 · Admiral.Travel
Why holidays are getting more expensive in 2026
and how to choose a trustworthy travel agency in Moldova
Your dream holiday now costs 35-50% more than three years ago. That is not an impression, it is the reality of the global travel market in 2026.
20-30% jet fuel
Share of fuel in airline operating costs.
Root cause6 checks
Essential steps before paying for any holiday.
ProtectionValid contract
Written or electronic, your only real legal protection if something goes wrong.
MandatoryRoot cause
The jet fuel crisis: the main reason holiday packages are more expensive
There is an invisible ingredient in the price of every holiday: kerosene. Jet fuel accounts for between 20% and 30% of an airline's operating costs. When its price rises on international markets, the effect immediately feeds through to the cost of your flight ticket and, by extension, any holiday package that includes air travel.
Between 2023 and 2026, the price of jet fuel swung dramatically, driven by geopolitical tensions, OPEC+ restrictions and refinery instability across the Middle East. The result? Low-cost carriers, the main engine of affordable tourism, began introducing fuel surcharges that can add EUR 30-80 per return ticket.
Ion Alexa, chair of ANAT Moldova (the National Association of Travel Agents), publicly confirmed that this trend directly affects the final price paid by Moldovan tourists: packages to destinations such as Greece holidays 2026 or Turkey have recorded significant increases compared with previous seasons, driven primarily by transport costs.
2023 vs. 2026
How much have prices actually risen since 2023?
The numbers speak clearly: holiday package prices for Moldovan travellers have risen by an average of 40-50% in three years.
💶 Holiday package price trends market average · 7 nights per person
| Destination | 2023 | 2026 | Rise |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇹🇷 Turkey (all-inclusive) | €650 | €950 | +46% |
| 🇪🇬 Egypt (flight + hotel) | €720 | €1,050 | +46% |
| 🇬🇷 Greece (island, 4★) | €780 | €1,100 | +41% |
| 🏝️ Maldives (resort) | €2,400 | €3,400 | +42% |
| 🇧🇬 Bulgaria (coast) | €320 | €470 | +47% |
Sources: indicative estimates based on Moldovan and European tour operator offers, 2023-2026. Actual prices may vary by season, operator and booking date.
But fuel is not the only culprit. Global inflation has raised hotel labour costs, utilities, food and housekeeping. A resort in Turkey that hired staff at low rates in 2022 now pays significantly higher wages and recovers the difference through room tariffs.
Practical comparison
Travel agent vs. booking on your own: who wins in 2026?
This is the question every tourist asks after seeing a hotel on an online platform for EUR 50 less than the agency quote. The short answer: it depends on what you are actually buying.
When you book on your own, you buy a room. Or a ticket. Full stop.
When you book through a licensed agency, you buy an active support system that works even when things go wrong. And in 2026 tourism, things go wrong more often than before.
Flight cancelled 12 hours before departure
Booked alone — you call the hotline and wait. Through a licensed agency, your agent handles it for you with direct access to GDS systems.
Hotel overbooked
A 4★ hotel from a package through a licensed agency cannot send you home without an equivalent alternative. With early agency booking, the price is significantly below the current market rate. On an online platform? You get a refund and pay the price of the day, which in peak season can be double.
Contracted rates
Major agencies block-book rooms 6-12 months ahead at fixed prices. When the market price spikes, the agency client pays the previously negotiated rate.
The real maths
The EUR 50 you "save" booking on your own can vanish at the first problem. In the 2026 season, the probability of a problem is higher than ever.
Scam alert
Red flags: how to spot a dubious travel agency in Moldova
Travel scams do not look like they do in films. They look like a Facebook page with beautiful Maldives photos, prices 30% below market and a phone number that stops working after you transfer the deposit.
Unrealistically low prices
An all-inclusive Turkey package at EUR 400 when the market average is EUR 950 is not a great deal. It is a trap. More than 30-40% below market average = indicator of an unlicensed operator (source: ANAT Moldova).
No verifiable physical office
A serious agency has a real address verifiable on Google Maps. If there is only a social media page or a recently launched website with no mentioned or verifiable premises, the risk is significant.
Cash payment in foreign currency requested
This is directly illegal. Any licensed travel agency in Moldova is required to issue fiscal documents and issue fiscal documents. Prices are quoted in EUR; payment is made in MDL at the commercial exchange rate of the day.
Contract missing or vague
If the agent refuses to provide a signed contract before payment, or the contract does not clearly specify the services included, total price and cancellation conditions, stop immediately.
Artificial time pressure
"The offer expires in 2 hours, pay now or lose the price" may sometimes be justified by real seasonal demand. But if the agent pushes aggressively and does not give you time to verify the information, it is manipulation. A serious agency explains transparently why the price is time-limited.
Absent from official registers
A company that does not appear in the Registration Chamber of Moldova does not legally exist. ANAT membership is not mandatory but is an additional credibility indicator and provides access to dispute mediation.
30-minute checklist
Step-by-step guide: how to verify a travel agency before you pay
You do not need special legal knowledge. You need 30 minutes and this list.
1
Search the agency in official registers~5 min
Check whether the company is registered with the Registration Chamber of the Republic of Moldova (date.gov.md or the public register). Every legitimate travel agency has a public IDNO number. Its absence is the first red flag.
2
Confirm the physical office exists~10 min
Search the address on Google Maps. Reviews with real photos of the office are a good sign. If the address leads to a residential flat or does not exist, investigate further.
3
Compare prices with the market~5 min
Check the same destinations on 2-3 reference sites (including organised tours from Moldova for a market benchmark). If the offer is 30%+ below the average you find elsewhere, ask questions before paying.
4
Request and read the contract before paying~10 min
Any legal agency issues a tourism contract specifying: destination, dates, services included, total price (quoted in EUR, payable in MDL at the commercial rate), cancellation conditions and your rights. Do not make any payment without a contract signed by both parties.
5
Pay exclusively through official channels
Bank card or bank transfer in MDL at the commercial exchange rate, with a receipt or payment confirmation. Cash payment without a receipt means zero legal protection. Simple.
6
Check reviews and the agency's track record
Google Business, Moldovan travel Facebook groups, forums. An agency with 5+ years of activity, detailed (not generic) reviews and responses to negative feedback is a solid indicator of credibility.
Regulatory body
What ANAT Moldova says about tourism market transparency
ANAT Moldova (the National Association of Travel Agents) is the professional body that regulates and represents the tourism industry in the Republic of Moldova. Member agencies are subject to a code of conduct and minimum client protection standards.
Ion Alexa, chair of ANAT Moldova, has repeatedly drawn public attention to one of the market's structural problems: the lack of an electronic register of travel agents, a public database updated in real time where any citizen could quickly verify whether a company is licensed. The proposal exists, the debate continues, but implementation remains an aspiration for 2026.
💡 ANAT recommendations: Request the company's registration documents · Sign a contract before any payment · Report suspicious agencies to the Consumer Protection Agency.
An angle competitors do not explain: ANAT member agencies have access to dispute mediation mechanisms with clients, a concrete advantage over non-affiliated agencies. If something goes wrong, you have somewhere to turn outside the courts.
Why your choice matters
Admiral.Travel: a licensed agency with proven experience
There are hundreds of offers online. Dozens of Facebook pages with attractive prices. And there are agencies that have operated for years, with physical offices, transparent contracts and clients who return season after season.
Admiral.Travel is a licensed agency in Moldova offering packages for every type of holiday, from Egypt packages with flights included and all-inclusive stays in Turkey through a verified agency to safe exotic holidays in the Maldives, Seychelles or the Dominican Republic.
The difference from an impulsive online booking? A clear contract, real assistance when problems arise and rates negotiated with operators well in advance.
Your holiday deserves more than a screenshot from a stranger on Facebook.
🛡️ Your holiday, legally protected
A lower price without protection is not a saving. It is a risk.
Holidays have become more expensive, and that is not going to change. But how you protect yourself is within your control. A valid contract (written or electronic), official payment in MDL at the commercial rate, verification in public registers and choosing a licensed agency.
View Admiral.Travel offersLicensed agency in Moldova · Verifiable office · Transparent contracts · 24/7 assistance
FAQ
Straight answers to your questions
Why have holidays become so much more expensive in 2026?
The global jet fuel crisis has driven up kerosene prices, raising the cost of flights and holiday packages. Global inflation has also increased hotel service costs. The trend has been confirmed by ANAT Moldova and European industry associations.
How do I know if a travel agency in Moldova is licensed?
Check the IDNO number in the Registration Chamber register, the existence of a physical office and membership of ANAT Moldova. Member agencies comply with client protection standards and are subject to a verifiable code of conduct.
Is it mandatory to sign a contract with a travel agency?
Yes. The tourism contract (written or electronic) is the legal document that protects your rights. Without a signed contract, you have no legal basis for claims in the event of undelivered services, cancellations or other problems during your holiday.
Can I book my holiday more cheaply on my own through an online platform?
The price may appear lower, but the agent has preferential contracts and provides active assistance in unforeseen situations (cancelled flight, overbooked hotel). Legal security and real support typically outweigh the price difference.
What do I do if the agency disappears after I have paid?
Contact ANAT Moldova and the Consumer Protection Agency. If you paid by card, request a chargeback from your bank immediately, within 60-120 days of the transaction.
Is paying in euro cash legal at a Moldovan agency?
No, Prices are quoted in EUR, but payment is made in MDL at the commercial exchange rate. Any licensed agency must issue fiscal documents. Cash payment without a receipt leaves you with no legal protection.
How far in advance should I book for better prices in 2026?
4-6 months ahead, especially for the summer season. "Last minute" bookings have become risky since 2024 because prices are more likely to rise than fall at the last moment.
Can ANAT Moldova resolve a dispute with an agency?
Yes, ANAT member agencies can be subject to mediation through the association before going to court. This is a concrete advantage of choosing an ANAT-affiliated agency.
Disclaimer: The information about regulations and legal procedures in this article is for general informational purposes and reflects the legislation of the Republic of Moldova as at the date of publication. Always consult the official documents of the competent authorities and the contract signed with the agency before making any financial decisions.
