Throughout the world, we are seeing movement. Visitors from outside the U.S. are now being admitted to our shores, and many countries have opened up to American travelers. Already, cruise ships are filling up, international flights are full, and the entire travel and hospitality industry is coming to life.
Now, if you read my previous blog post, you’ll see that I was confident, those several months ago, that things would soon turn around. Many of us in travel were certain that we would be helping our clients make memories come the summer. We were, perhaps, a little over confident, and maybe guilty of wishful thinking. Now, however, there is evidence that we are turning the corner on our ability to travel. We are really and truly beginning to be able to get folks out on that vacation that they so desperately need.
That isn’t to say there aren’t still obstacles to travel. Some airlines are reducing the numbers of flights. Hotel prices are a bit over-inflated. Mask requirements are still prevalent, and more and more, vaccines are being required to visit other countries, and any number of venues. Each locale seems to have it’s own requirements, which might make it seem that travel simply isn’t worth it. I’m here to tell you that that simply isn’t the case. Travel is definitely worthwhile, and given how the world has changed over the last two years, jumping through some hoops, while inconvenient, is still worth it, if we can get out and see the world.
Regardless of how you feel about vaccines and and mandates, the fact is that this is going to be our way of life for the foreseeable future. It is highly likely that before too long, all airlines will require vaccination for covid in order to fly, even domestically. Already, many, if not most overseas countries require vaccination to enter, and the trend is moving further in that direction. Most major cruise lines have already gone to 100% vaccinated requirements. So if you, regardless of reason, choose not to get vaccinated, I’m afraid you will be left out from any substantial travel, for at least some time to come.
If, however, you are now, or will be vaccinated, the world is becoming yours once more. We just came back from a Travel Agent Forum in Las Vegas, where we networked with travel suppliers and travel advisors from all over the country, and indeed many parts of the world. While any number of stories were related, as to how difficult the last 20 months have been for those in our industry, the news was very encouraging. Many travel professionals are busier than ever, as folks are re-discovering their passion for exploring the world.
The moral of this tale, is that now is most definitely the time to make your plans for the coming year, or even the year after that. Plan that trip you’ve been dreaming about. Think about those places you’ve always wanted to see. Don’t worry that you may not know how to accomplish that dream trip. That’s what we’re here for. We will help you plan, and when the planning’s done, we can get it booked for you.
Micki and I are leaving for Iceland in a couple of days, and next month we will be traveling to Morocco. We’ll let you know how we fare on our first international trips in almost two years.
Follow our example, and get back out there. We hope to talk to you soon.
Randy Downey, President
Star & Compass Travel