Updates on Travel During COVID-19

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Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, international travel has been off almost everyone’s “To Do” list recently.  That is all about to change.  Places are starting to open back up and everyone is trying to find some semblance of normal in their everyday lives.  Travel will be opening up everywhere soon but it may look a little bit different.  Here is a look at how some of the most popular travel segments are handling travel during COVID-19.

 

Air Line Travel:  If you have had the chance to do any flying recently you will be aware of the changes that have taken place there.  Planes are up and running where ever they can.  For a while at least, the airlines are not filling that middle seat.  No one likes to sit there anyway and it is a way to encourage social distancing.  In addition, airlines are enforcing face masks.  Don’t want to wear one?  Then you do not fly.  Not only do you not fly now but many of the airlines have developed a “No Fly” list for those who refuse to wear a mask and you are now banned from flying with them.  We are not aware of how long that ban will last, but if you love to travel, you better get used to wearing a mask.  Another change is with the drink and food service.  Most airlines are handing out bags with a drink, snack, and sanitizing wipes to each passenger as they board the plane.  You are now allowed to bring your own alcohol onboard your flight.  You will be asked to scan your boarding pass to minimize touchpoints.  The planes are being disinfected between flights.  If you are concerned about air quality, you will be pleased to know that the cabin air is refreshed with outside air every couple of minutes and recycled between refreshings through filters that can filter out 99.8% of particles including the COVID-19 virus.

 

All-Inclusive Resorts:   Portions of Mexico and the Caribbean are open for travel and the ever-popular all-inclusive resort is part of the reason why.  You will be asked to provide a negative COVID-19 test before entering the country but once you are at your resort, the fun is waiting for you with open arms.  Most all-inclusive resorts are limiting capacity which will also give you the feeling that you have the place to yourself.  Most resorts are averaging about 20-30% of normal capacity.  Because of this, not all of their restaurants will be open every day.  Most resorts are rotating through their restaurants so that there are several open each day and the selection will change daily.  There are a few notable exceptions.  Sandals Resorts, when they are open, will open all of their venues every day allowing their guests the full Sandals experience.  Once at your resort, face masks may or may not be mandatory.  This will vary depending on the individual resort.  The resorts are most anxious to not only keep you safe but their location as well.  They want to stay open to tourism as much as you need them to be open!

 

Cruises:  Believe it or not, some cruise lines have begun sailing again.  Right now it is mostly in Europe with only European guests but they have set up some protocols that have the entire world watching.  MSC Cruise Line, for example, has had several successful sailings without any COVID-19 cases being reported from the crew or their guests.  How did they do it?  They formed a “travel bubble”.  Every crew member and every guest was tested for COVID-19 before embarking the ship.  Once the cruise was underway, all guests had to stick with the ship’s shore excursions.  Why?  Because the cruise line is testing those individuals running the excursions.  Should someone test positive, not only do they bring in a replacement, but they also replace the bus the individual may have been driving as well.  What if a passenger decides to go out on their own?  Simple, they can’t get back on the ship.  Testing is the key and staying within the “travel bubble” is mandatory.  By doing this, some cruise lines have been able to visit ports of call and run a “normal” cruise without a case of COVID-19 to be found.  This is fantastic news for travel as an industry not just cruising.  Here in the United States, we are mostly waiting for the CDC to lift its “No Sail” order and for testing to be more widely available.

 

Escorted Tours:  Escorted or private touring is not quite open for business yet.  When they do start up again, it will more than likely be a similar process as cruising.  Testing every passenger before arriving for the tour and testing any and everyone that will come in contact with the passengers will be the key.  Getting the logistics in place to test that many people in a timely and affordable manner is going to be the key to getting back to this type of travel.  The innovations for testing are sparking hopes that travel will be back sooner rather than later.

 

Amusement Parks:  Some of the biggest names in amusement parks (Walt Disney World and Universal) have been open for a little while now.  They are enforcing masks and social distancing.  The number of guests allowed at any resort is being kept well below capacity.  It is unclear if they can continue to operate at these levels for much longer.  It is certainly nice for the guests to be able to visit the parks but they are limited to one park per day and the parks themselves are finding it difficult to make the current situation work for their bottom line.  Some resorts are reporting that they are losing more money by being open than shutting their doors until the pandemic slows or passes completely.  If you are a season pass holder or want to visit one of these amazing resorts, be aware that you will have to schedule well in advance and that perks like “Fast Passes” are not available.  You will not have much luck just wandering around and riding at will.  You will have to schedule a time and date for just about everything.

 

The bottom line:  Most places will be opening soon if not already and as more and more advances are made with testing and treating COVID-19 travel will be on the agenda sooner rather than later.  2020 is still going to be a slow travel year but watch out for 2021, it will be fantastic! The world is counting the days. Contact us at 208-996-3269 to help with your travel plans. 

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