HAPPY OCTOBER!
The world was turned upside down when the pandemic started more than 6 months ago. We postponed our global itineraries and traded in our worldly vacations for road trips and backyard staycations.
So where are we now in the world of travel?
Watch our video for updates on the trends in travel and technicalities with COVID-19 that you should familiarize yourself with prior to travel and what you could do to leverage your travel plans with the ongoing pandemic.
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BY AIR
- Canada's measure to have U.S. border closed until October 31, 2020 has been extended to an unknown date with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's new plan to keep the restriction in place until the COVID-19 cases drop in the U.S.
- A selected few countries in Africa such as Kenya, Namibia and Tanzania are now open to Americans. More airlines are adding nonstop routes to Africa. United Airlines is launching 3 new nonstop routes including a year-round, daily nonstop from Newark Liberty International Airport to Johannesburg next spring.
- Some countries such as Bermuda and Barbados have special visa programs that allow visitors to stay in the country for many months. Thailand’s new visa grants visitors to stay for as long as 9 months if they quarantine first.
- Costa Rica has been receiving Americans since opening its border to international travelers a few months back. However, only residents of certain states are approved. Starting Nov 1, Costa Rica will accept tourists from the entire United States regardless of the state of residence.
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Click on the link for a country-by-country guide of where Americans can travel right now.
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BY CRUISES
- There might confusion to the information presented by the media over the extension of no-sail order.
- Originally, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) voluntarily suspended all U.S. cruise operations until October 31, 2020. CDC director Dr. Robert Redfield’s plan to extend the no-sail order through February 2021 was overruled by the White House.
- When the original no-sail order is to expire on October 31st, there will be a meeting between the cruise industry representatives and members of the Trump Administration to discuss plans to resume operations safely.
- As of now, there is no exact date of when the no-sail order will be lifted. The order could be extended for another month.
- There is good news!
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One ship, the world’s seventh-biggest cruise ship, MSC Grandiosa, resumed sailing in the Mediterranean on August 16th without recording a single case of COVID-19 on board.
- The new protocol including day-of-departure testing is the key to success and likely to be replicated by other cruise liners.
- Given the success with MSC Grandiosa, there is hope for plans to reactivate cruising safely. The latest involvement of Congressional Committee could facilitate or delay the process. The end goal is safety for everyone both the passengers and crew members.
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THE LATEST TREND IN TRAVEL: THE TAKEOVER
Staying at hotels and resorts with vast landscape where you celebrate your compound as your own private retreat or booking the entire resort and make it your own haven.
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Amangiri in Utah is made for social distancing with 34 suites and one villa. The same goes for its new sister property, Camp Sarika, where you can stay safely apart from other guests or can book all 10 tented pavilions for your group. The resorts are built to blend in with nature and not against it hence an ambience of oneness between you and Mother Nature. |
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THE TECHNICALITIES OF COVID-19 IN TRAVEL
- There is no doubt that travel is different now than before the pandemic with more requirements and consideration in the planning of each trip. The travel industry is making efforts to make sure the return to travel is as safe and comfortable as possible.
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Is flying still a high risk? Research points to low risk for COVID-19 transmission inflight.
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To help alleviate the stress of providing a negative test result, often within 72 hours of departure, airlines now are doing pre-flight COVID-19 testing. Depending on the airline, the test can be done at home, clinics or near designated airports. The fee varies from $143 with Jetblue to $250 for test done at airport or $80 for at home with United.
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One airport, Tampa International Airport, goes one step further to launch the country’s first airport where COVID-19 testing is available for all departing and arriving passengers.
- Many airlines have eliminated change fees for flights within the U.S. or between the U.S. and Mexico or the Caribbean. You now can have the peace of mind to make changes as needed without having to pay additional fees.
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Computed tomography (CT) technology gives the ease of traveling by making it possible for passengers to keep laptops and electronic devices inside their carry-ons at security checkpoints. The technology is available at only 18 airports in the nation.
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WHAT COULD YOU DO TO LEVERAGE YOUR TRAVEL PLANS WITH THE ONGOING PANDEMIC?
- “The experience might look and feel different once the world begins to reopen, but you can still count on the positive impact of travel." - Travel + Leisure.
- Spend some time planning trips that often need to be booked one year in advance such as an African safari or places that are highly sought after when international travel is more open to Americans.
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Travel companies relax their cancellation and rebooking policies. Pricing is aggressive with lower deposits. Be ahead of the game to invest in lower cost and risk-free travel plan for the future.
- Use a travel advisor. In the era of pandemic, each booking could have up to 20 elements... flights for departing and arriving countries, hotels, excursions, transfers and travel insurance and etc. Each element has its own sets of rules and regulations.
- We are here to help you navigate the information and advise you on choices that would be best for you.
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Enroll in STEP - the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. This is a free service for U.S. citizens traveling abroad to help the U.S. Embassy stay in contact with you in an emergency including natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency.
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Expedited service for U.S. passport application has resumed although passport agencies and centers are still reopening in phases. You are able to have your passport processed within 4-6 weeks for an additional $60 fee. It is the business hours of your local passport centers that you must check to see how you could submit the application.
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LET'S TRAVEL THE WORLD AGAIN!
“Travel is a luxury - but it is also an investment in the wider world, in communities and ecosystems outside our own.” - Steven Overman, author of The Conscience Economy.
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IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR JUST WANT TO CHAT, CALL US AT 626-733-7874. |
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As you add dream destinations to your list of travel, give the gift of travel and support a small business.
Buy a gift card for your future travel plans or give a friend or family member a gift.
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