How I Am Thinking About Travel Now
After months of isolation, it's difficult to imagine a time when I'll be enthusiastically boarding a plane to head to another country. All I can think of is the right now. I haven't planned any trips for the summer, and my first international trip will be in September.
There are lots of travel people forecasting trends and how travel will and won't change. I'm not going to predict anything, but I have used this time at home to think about how I want to travel in the future and what, if anything, will change.
I have a very laid back approach to travel and moving through the world, in general. We have no control over airlines and the government's policies and processes. We just have to make the best of it if we want to travel. What we do have control over is our travel decisions. How and where and with whom we travel.
Here are the things I'm planning on changing or keeping as my travel mantras:
Travel more sustainably. I have a lot of friends in the sustainable travel space that are way ahead of most of us. I hope that with people making fewer trips, those trips will be well thought out and meaningful—more impact on the traveler, less impact on the environment. I will be looking at the sustainable travel gurus, who have already been after us to make better travel decisions, to help guide my travel planning into 2021. One thing I changed a long time ago is purchasing items produced in the location I'm visiting.
Spending more on space and comfort. I'm already a fan of the premium economy seat. I think it's well worth the money. I want to up that spend on more business and first-class seats - more space, less anxiety. That will mean fewer trips, but I'm okay with that.
Airbnbs and Boutique Hotels. Smaller spaces and fewer people, in general, make me feel more comfortable. A house or apartment on my own where I can control the food coming in and the cleaning is very appealing to me. I love a big resort when I want to get away and relax, but I'm not feeling the 100-people-at-the-pool vibe.
No free breakfasts. When booking hotels, I always would go for the one that had the free breakfast included. Those were a buffet. I think the buffet will be out of bounds for a while, and I'm wondering if they will ever come back. I'm curious to see how hotels handle breakfasts because it is convenient for everyone if there is a buffet already prepared. You don't have to spend a lot of time on that first meal, and you can get on with your day.
No big cities. This really breaks my heart. I've lived in isolation in the country for most of my life. I adore the energy and chaos of a big city. That is my "getaway." The risks and proximity to people, especially on public transport, are too much for me to take right now. That may change depending on the measures each city puts in place. I feel more comfortable going to a place like Tokyo than Atlanta. People in Asian countries have had to live with these outbreaks more than we have. They aren't going to harass me for wearing a mask.
Getting back to nature. With big cities out, cabins in the woods are looking appealing. I crave nature right now. In the rental where we live currently, the only outdoor space we have is by the driveway and the trashcan. I want clean air and sunshine. I wouldn't mind a beach, either.
Out of the way places. With the larger tourist destinations loving life without all the crowds of visor-wearing tourists, going to outlying towns and cities seems the way to go. I can see flying into a big city, getting a car and driving around the countryside.
Staycations. People in Shanghai are booking hotels in the city just to get out of their houses. I think that's a great idea! Get a room and order room service. I do hope hotels will up the room service options from hamburgers and club sandwiches, though.
Using a travel agent. I've already talked about why I use a travel agent for some of my trips. Until every country and state are on the same page, I think a travel professional can stay updated with all the regulations and border crossing restrictions way better than I can. We all know there are a lot of problems with general searches on the internet. It's hard to know what is the real information and what is outdated or just someone's opinion. Travel agents have a higher level of accountability and can help a traveler sort through all the noise and get the latest and best information.
My biggest concern about my trip in September is not getting there, but something happening (a wave of new cases), and I can't get back home. I do think my first flight will be very awkward.
Here are some things I'm keeping an eye on:
Visa requirements Some countries are talking about requiring a visa showing a person is in good health. I have gotten the antibody test (I'm negative), and some countries will require a test before entering. St Lucia opens to U.S. travelers on June 4. Visitors must present certified proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours of boarding their flights to UVF. Once they arrive, they will undergo health and temperature checks. Masks and social distancing will be required for the duration of the stay. I don't know what "certified proof" means. Most tests available in my area now need symptoms to qualify and take at least three to four days to process. Antibody tests are more prevalent and can be processed in a day. I haven't seen any information from countries saying a positive antibody test will pass for the negative viral test.
Additional TSA requirements. I've heard that TSA will start taking temperatures. It's already been shown that people can be positive and not have a fever, so it's not very useful. That hasn't stopped TSA before. I think the TSA does a lot of things to make us "feel" safe without actually making us safer. Still, I'm a rule follower, so I'm going to do whatever they tell me to do.
Airline safety and refund policies. My dealings with Delta regarding my flight in September have been good. I also like the new in-flight measures and boarding process. Other airlines' procedure changes haven't been as robust. I'm not going to book a flight with an airline with a limited refund policy, especially if a predicted second wave hits, and we're back in our homes this winter.
The thing about any of this is that it could all change tomorrow.
Are you traveling this summer? Are you currently planning any trips?
