Should I stay or should I go now? Should I stay or should I go now? If I go, there will be trouble And if I stay it will be double So come on and let me know - The Clash
This week brought up fresh questions regarding travel for the summer and maybe even for the rest of the year. First the bad news: International travel is down to almost zero and looks like it will remain that way for the foreseeable future. Airlines having slashed their routes with few planes and even fewer passengers flying. Recently several sates including Hawaii, Vermont and Maine extended indefinitely it's order that anyone from out of state must quarantine for 14 days or face penalties. Internationally plans to reopen countries for tourists are all over the map (pun intended!) The Points Guy did a good round up of international expectations for tourist activity this week which you can read here to get an idea of what the world is thinking. Now the good news: If you are reading this you are ahead of the curve because you can be among the first to book something in your state or region now for travel this summer. Making a booking now before others figure this out is important because hotels are most likely going to run at less than full capacity for the near future. Instead of looking for a bargain look for a place that will meet your needs in this situation and gives you the space to enjoy your trip, even if a second wave hits this summer. Here are my tips for finding the right place to keep you safe and sound AND to let you relax and enjoy your trip The key things to look for are:
Someplace you can drive to in your state if at all possible. Or drive to in an adjacent state.
A bigger hotel room than you might normally book. You could be in your room for meals and leisure time and you will want more space.
Hotels or Resorts with a restaurant and room service should be your must have items when you book. Many restaurants may remain closed or take out only so this will ease a lot of anxiety.
Resorts with plenty of outdoor activities that you can do on your own like walking, hiking, fishing, biking, etc.
Beyond this summer what happens? That is the big question. I remain very engaged with what is happening in the travel industry. While a few cruise companies have suspended operations other travel operators are hoping that things will ease in late summer or fall. That remains to be seen but I promise you that I will stay on top of things as they progress and bring you the latest each week. Let me know if I can help you find something that works for you and your loved ones.
Finally let me add a good resource for you if you need on for questions regarding travel. This takes you to another site but I think it could supply some helpful information.