Perhaps giving the creator of the tournament control over the amount of vacation allowed to be used in one block before the tournament starts. Then you wouldn't have to enter a tournament if you knew the time wasn't long enough for you.
I can't believe that someone is allowed to go on vacation for 45 days in a tournament without getting permission. In a side game, it only effects two people. In a tournament it is very unfair to everyone involved. Plus there's always them poor sports that like to drag things out when they're in a losing position.