Travel During a Pandemic

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM ANOTHER UNUSUAL SUMMER

TRAVEL SEASON

By Kate Mitchell | Editor in Chief

It is impossible to think of an industry that hasn’t been impacted by COVID-19. The pandemic has been all encompassing, reaching into every facet of global life. But while the e ect of coronavirus has been felt everywhere, few industries have felt the illness’ sting like the travel industry.

The major shift hit close to home for some. Dawn Harke, of Horizon Travel and Cruises in Adrian, saw the impact of the pandemic on the industry fi rst hand.

“When the virus fi rst hit, it caused a fl urry of activity,” Harke said. “I had several local high schools headed to Washington D.C. and Florida with their students. These trips involved several months of detailed planning with bus companies, restaurants and hotels which all had to be canceled and refunded. Aside from the large groups there were several individual tours and cruises which needed to be refunded as well. This whole refund process took several months to get everything done.”

A year in, things are still disrupted. Cruises are shut down, there are a patchwork of precautions in place around the country that can make planning tricky and most international borders are closed to American tourists. But as vaccines become more available, things are looking up.

“There has been an uptick in travel as people see a light at the end of the tunnel, per say,” Angela Turner of Adrian’s Global Luxe Ventures said. While things may be shifting back to normal, there is a catch. “With the vaccines becoming Angela Turner available there are more guidelines put into place for travel.”

With those caveats in place and summer vacation season rapidly approaching, is summer 2021 shaping up to be another lost season? Not necessarily, even though travel still may look di erent in 2021 than it did in 2019.

“As there are a lot of destinations still not open for travelers, the biggest shift is those going to the Carribean and Central America,” Turner said. “Because of spring break and people wanting to escape the winter weather, this is on trend for this time of year. Most travel for the other destinations have been booked a year or two out with hope that the travel

restrictions have been lifted by then.”

Domestic destinations have been a focus recently, too. While the CDC is still advising against unnecessary travel, state borders have remained open and, while local precautions and rules vary, plenty has reopened around the country.

“Popular destinations during the pandemic have been Florida, particularly Orlando, Tampa and the Keys,” Harke said. “Las Vegas, and many National Parks stays have been popular destinations as well ... due to open spaces.”

For those who are looking to plan a getaway but want to remain cautious, there are some things you can do from the start to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.

“Many [companies in the travel industry] have gone above and beyond with keeping up with social distancing protocols and cleaning,” Turner said. “Also, some do require you take a COVID-19 test once you have reached your hotel room. Once you have gotten the negative test you will be free to roam around the resort and destination.

“There are steps to clean luggage before they are placed into your room and multiple sanitization stations and additional sta o ering hand sanitization. Many have even implemented a morning temperature check and have sanitization mists before entering the location.”

While Turner only recommends people travel when they feel comfortable, there are plenty of things to do to make yourself more comfortable when getting out of town. If avoiding travel by plane is the only thing keeping you from going on a trip this year, there’s plenty to be done within a day’s drive of Adrian that people may not know about.

“Tennessee, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania all o er a variety of experiences,” Harke said. “Working with a local agency helps widen your search and easily reduces a person’s research time with just one phone call.”

Travel agents can make all the di erence in times like these, especially if more widely known tourism destinations are o the list for any variety of reasons. They can also adjust plans as needed when unexpected travel restrictions or illnesses pop up. Experts are a resource when trying to turn an atypical summer into one fi lled with adventures to remember.

“There is actually a lot more than people realize within a 12 hour drive from here,” Turner said. “I always say it is easier to pick the location once you agree on the vibe you are looking for. Did you know you could stay at a castle in Kentucky? Or experience Carribean blue waters by going to Torch Lake? There are even multiple wine trails like the scenic ones we fi nd in northern Michigan (they even have a winery out on an island).”

As people hit the road this summer, there is plenty to do to prepare to travel as safely as possible. While stocking up on hand sanitizer and bringing plenty of masks and other protection equipment may seem obvious, there are things travelers may not think about to take into consideration, too.

“Always look into not only the protocols but in the recent reviews of the place you are staying at or fl ight service you are using,” Turner recommends. “As people are starting to travel more, fl ights will have more passengers…. Look into traveling on fl ight times that are not popular.”

There are tips she has for once travelers have reached their destination, too. Things like avoiding the fi rst rental car transport to arrive at the airport after fl ights have arrived as more people will be fi ghting to get on board. Waiting for the next bus could mean you have more space while heading to your next destination. Next Page...

Though things are getting back to normal, or as close to normal as we can expect right now, Turner and Harke both expect many of the changes coming to the industry now to stick around for a while.

“Just like 9/11 caused changes to how we travel, this will do the same,” Harke said. “The travel industry must change in order for the public to feel safe to travel again. Negative COVID-19 tests and vaccination passports will probably be required for international travel. Going forward, a cruise will be one of the cleanest and safest means of seeing the world. The cruise industry has worked with the CDC to devise a list of 73 safety protocols in order to begin sailing again.”

But these changes may not be a bad thing.

“I believe it will be for the better,” Turner said. “There will be more awareness when traveling and a higher level of service to be expected. Also, I believe the shift of smaller tours and private tours will continue on as people get a taste for it.”

As the travel industry and travelers themselves begin to adjust to the constantly shifting new reality, being mindful of the people around you when on vacation during this unusual time can make the experience a positive one for all.

“Having traveled [in March,] I see people being very respectful of one another. Using their masks, staying 6 feet apart, while trying to enjoy life as we once knew it,” Harke said. “It’s all about respecting your fellow traveler. Everyone wants to get back to normal as soon as possible but everyone has their own opinions on what it means to be safe.”

TIPS FOR TRIP PLANNING

Looking to get out of town without leaving your COVID-19 comfort zone? Use some of these tips when planning your trip.

1. Drive or take a train instead of fl ying. Driving limits your contact with those outside your travel companions, and trains have windows that you can open to help better circulate air.

2. Check coronavirus precautions. Hotels, airlines, and activities like museums all have di erent safety measures in place. Check what your destination is doing to keep you safe by looking at websites, Facebook pages, and online reviews to see what level of precautions you’re comfortable with. 3. Be fl exible and plan ahead. Build in extra time so you don’t need to take crowded public transport. Make sure you buy tickets for activities in advance, as many places are limiting capacity and utilizing things like timed entry to encourage social distancing.

4. Be prepared. Bring plenty of hand sanitizer and masks with you, just in case. You don’t want to run out of coronavirus supplies in a place you don’t know.

CDC TRAVEL GUIDELINES

According to the CDC: Travel increases your chance of spreading and getting COVID-19. Delay travel and stay home to protect yourself and others from COVID-19, even if you are vaccinated.

If you must travel, take steps to protect yourself and others:

If you are eligible, get fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

Before you travel, get tested with a viral test 1-3 days before your trip.

Wear a mask over your nose and mouth when in public. Avoid crowds and stay at least 6 feet/2 meters (about 2 arm lengths) from anyone who did not travel with you.

Get tested 3-5 days after your trip and stay home and self-quarantine for a full 7 days after travel, even if your test is negative. If you don’t get tested, stay home and self-quarantine for 10 days after travel.

Follow all state and local recommendations or requirements after travel.