Our newsletters from the month of August.
August is here, and the last full month of
summer traditionally has meant it’s time to take a vacation. Of course the
COVID-19 pandemic has changed that, along with nearly everything else, but have
things gotten any better, travel-wise, since it all started?
Yes. The travel industry magazine Afar notes that on July 30, over 700,000
passengers passed through TSA checkpoints here in the U.S., compared with less
than 90,000 on April 14. Road trips have increased, too; many of our clients
tell us that in lieu of flying overseas, they are hitting the road this summer,
visiting relatives or going to stateside attractions that have long been on
their bucket list. Here in northwest Wisconsin, we’ve seen a lot of trucks and
cars towing boats and motor homes, many with out-of-state plates, heading to
our lakes.
Traveling is possible during the
pandemic, as long as it’s done responsibly. Here are some ways to make sure
you’re traveling responsibly:
· Do your research
before you leave. Are there virus-related restrictions at your destination? Is
the virus case count going up or down there? Booking your hotel and restaurant
reservations in advance is always advisable, especially now. We can help you
with making sure you have the latest information and have secured your lodging
before you hit the road.
· Wear your masks
and follow social-distancing guidelines wherever you go. Requirements may vary
from place to place, but it’s not a bad idea to err on the side of caution.
· Consider getting a
COVID-19 test before you leave, or when you return home. In some cases, your
destination may require proof of a negative test upon arrival.
· Just in case, pack
plenty of sanitary gear: extra masks, sanitizer, hand wipes, soap.
· Local businesses
appreciate your support wherever you go, and part of the charm of traveling is
visiting “mom and pop” stores that might be unique to the town or area you’re
visiting. Now is an especially good time to patronize them.
· Patience is a
virtue, especially these days, and tipping well is always appreciated. Most
destinations are willing to go out of their way to accommodate you during your
stay. Make sure you let them know you’re grateful.
· Follow the rules.
The states and communities you visit will likely have differing restrictions in
place. Be a good guest and be mindful of them. Courtesy is always much
appreciated, wherever you go.
One in ten Americans were employed in the
travel industry last year, and travel has been one of the hardest-hit
industries during the pandemic. Destinations are slowly starting to re-open and
are more than willing to welcome you, and we’re ready to help you get there as
the summer of 2020 comes to a close.
And don’t forget our weekly Facebook
Live travel show, every Tuesday at 1:30pm. Just log onto our Facebook page to
join us!
* * *
Back in mid-March–only five months
ago, but it seems a lot longer–the U.S. State Department issued a Level 4
warning, its highest, telling all American citizens to avoid international
travel and advising all Americans currently abroad to return home as quickly as
possible. The coronavirus was on the march, and Europe, especially, was right
in its path.
At that time, the U.S. had reported
just over 11,000 cases of COVID-19. Five months later, we have over 5 million.
But Europe’s share of the pandemic appears to have been brought under control,
and countries on other continents and many islands have seen great improvement.
These positive developments have now prompted the State Department to lift its
advisory against all international travel. Each country will now be evaluated
separately, they say.
According to CNBC, this leaves U.S.
travelers with an often-confusing hodgepodge of restrictions for travel outside
the country. Even a trip to our largest neighbor, Canada, can be a problem.
Whereas going over the border once was as easy for most of us as a car ride,
Canada has barred all nonessential travel by non-Canadians, and that means us.
Major League Baseball teams can’t get into Toronto to play, for example,
forcing the Blue Jays to play all their games here in the States. American
citizens are still not allowed into the European Union. Canadians can go to
Europe, but we can’t, at least for now. There are still more than 30 countries
that U.S. citizens are advised not to enter, including Russia, China, India,
Brazil, Argentina and all of Central America.
But let’s look at the bright side.
Travel to many other foreign destinations is still possible for Americans,
although each country may have its own distinct restrictions. These are places
the State Department designates with Level 1 or 2 advisories: the islands of
French Polynesia and Fiji, which include Tahiti, are at Level 2 and have
already started welcoming American visitors. Taiwan and New Zealand are open
for U.S. tourists, as is Thailand. The areas of Mexico that include the most
popular resorts, such as Cancun, Cozumel, and Cabo san Lucas are welcoming U.S.
visitors every day. If you’re thinking of going to any of these places, though,
remember that individual countries, and even parts of countries, might have
certain restrictions that arriving travelers will have to be aware of.
That’s where we can help. While we’re confident that full international travel will return–and when it does, it’ll come back big–we’re not there yet. We can help you navigate those restrictions and answer those questions if you plan to travel within the next few months. We’re already seeing a lot of interest in 2021 travel, and we’ll help you with that kind of long-range planning, too. We’re just as anxious as you are to get out there again and explore the world. It will still be there when the pandemic ends, and the people in those countries will be anxious to see Americans, just as they always have.
* * *
The pandemic, of course, changed that.
But as time has gone on, Americans have adapted. Instead of eating out at
restaurants every day or so, we are eating at home more often, and that means cooking
more meals. Restaurants have adapted by offering take-out options. Have to wear
a mask? We have adapted by making ourselves colorful masks that often make
statements, just like our clothing choices always have. Even sports have
adapted; professional teams are playing in empty stadiums with pre-recorded
crowd noise and cardboard cutouts of people in the stands.
Americans are adapting when it comes
to travel, too, and our industry is adapting right along with them. The online
industry magazine Travel Pulse notes that it might be several more months
before travel gets “back to normal,” and it will be different. Trends are
already being noted.
· With more people
staying at home to work, the trips they take are now getting longer. Resort
owners are noting that many guests ask for multi-week bookings as travelers
seek out stability and trust for their destinations.
· Multi-family
“travel pods” are becoming part of the new normal. A survey by the travel
industry group Virtuoso recently found that 79% of families would take part in
a travel pod, in which two or more families travel together.
· The road trip has
largely replaced the airline flight, at least for now. Part of that is due to
the fact that many countries still won’t allow Americans to visit. Virtuoso found
that 87% of travelers plan on a road trip this summer or fall.
· But people aren’t
giving up on airline travel. The survey found 66% said they would gladly get on
a plane right now if they could go where they wanted, and most say they would
gladly pay a little extra if it meant the airline would keep the middle seat
empty, for social-distancing purposes.
· Turn-down service used to be a hotly-desired item at a destination, but now travelers want more contactless services, with as little intervention from staff as possible.
The restrictions travelers face at whatever destination they choose can be daunting, and that has helped move many of them out of what could have been called the “DIY vacation experience.” Most people aren’t comfortable now with simply going online to book their own travel, whether it includes a flight or not, and they’re finding that travel experts, the ones who’ve been helping people all along, are more valuable than ever. The person across the desk at your local travel agency can help you find a place where you and your family can go, enjoy yourselves and stay as safe as possible. And that person across the desk is waiting for you at Travel Designers Travel Leaders, so let’s mask up together and get traveling!
* * *
The Central American nation of Costa Rica is a destination that's been growing in popularity for American travelers in recent years, but like every nation on the planet, Costa Rica, and its tourism industry, have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. As of September 1, though, Costa Rica will start welcoming American visitors back to its beaches and jungles.
Afar Magazine reports Costa Rica’s
tourism ministry announced last week that the nation will welcome U.S. visitors
from these states: New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine and
Connecticut. Those six states were listed because their levels of infection are
about the same as what Costa Rica has right now, according to the ministry.
Thus, Costa Rica becomes the first nation in the world to allow Americans based
on what state they live in.
But Americans from those six states
won’t just be able to arrive in the country as they would have, say, last year.
Before departure from the States, inbound travelers will have to fill out an
online epidemiological health form. They will have to get a COVID-19 test, and
furnish proof of a negative result obtained within 48 hours of their travel
date. They must have insurance, either from their own provider or a policy
purchased in Costa Rica. Upon arrival, travelers must wear masks at the airport
and comply with all local restrictions.
The nation’s three international
airports are handling commercial traffic already, and once the ban is lifted,
they expect about five weekly flights from the U.S., which is less than 5% of
their pre-pandemic activity. Costa Rica’s economy, like so many other nations’,
has been hit hard by the travel ban; about 12% of Costa Rica’s employment was
dependent on tourism. But since the travel ban, employers there have been
focusing on training workers in the new virus-related restrictions and
protocols. The nation has made much progress; Costa Rica was recently awarded a
“Safe Travels” stamp by the World Travel & Tourism Council for its commitment
to updated health and safety measures.
We don’t have many clients in those
six fortunate states who can now go to Costa Rica, but we’re confident that as
virus levels in Wisconsin and Minnesota go down, Costa Rica and other nations
will be willing to let our people in, too. At Travel Designers Travel Leaders,
we monitor the myriad of changing travel restrictions every day, so that we can
give our clients the very latest information about the destination they’re
planning to visit. Working together, we can get you to where you want to go,
and help you enjoy your visit safely. Central America has been growing in
popularity with our clients in recent years, and it will be popular again,
soon.
* * *
The
small Caribbean island of Hispaniola is where Columbus first landed in 1492.
More than 500 years later, the island has long since been divided into two
nations, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and the latter has been a hotspot of
Caribbean travel for years, especially to its Punta Cana region. But like
everywhere else, the Dominican was impacted by COVID-19 and its tourism
industry plummeted. The Dominicans, though, are determined to bring it back and
they’re on the way. Things are happening down there that bode well for tourism,
not only for the D.R. but for the Caribbean as a whole.
TravelPulse magazine reports that
the Dominican Republic is rolling out rapid COVID-19 testing that will replace
the current test that’s required for entry. Beginning at the end of September,
this new diagnostic breath test will be administered to randomly selected
travelers upon arrival. Hotel guests will also temporarily receive an
assistance plan that includes lodging for prolonged stays and flight changes in
the event travelers contract the virus during their visit, plus several other
benefits. Social distancing and masking will continue to be mandatory for all
visitors. The Dominican Minister of Tourism, David Collado, said, “We are
focused on driving continued growth for the sector, along with our country’s
image.”
That same attitude is driving countries
throughout the Caribbean as they seek innovative and safe ways to not only
restrain the virus but welcome visitors back to their islands. Across the Gulf
in Mexico, tourist destinations long favored by Americans have been working
hard to upgrade their sanitary practices and safety protocols, with a great
degree of success. Several of Mexico’s most popular destinations on its Pacific
and Gulf coasts, such as Puerto Vallarta, Cancun and Playa del Carmen, have
earned the coveted “Safe Travels Stamp” from the World Travel and Tourism
Council. The WTTC bestows this stamp in recognition of destination-wide
adherence to the highest level of COVID-19 prevention protocols in the
hospitality sector.
As the Caribbean and mainland
Central and South American destinations continue to evolve in their efforts to
welcome tourists back safely, here at Travel Designers Travel Leaders we are
doing everything we can to stay on top of developments so we can give
up-to-the-minute advice to our clients. We are already seeing many inquiries
and bookings for travel next year and into 2022, but for those of you who still
hope to get away in the fall or early winter of 2020, we’re here and ready to
help!
Sue Tindell
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