Raleigh Travel Agents Help Clients Navigate Uncharted Territory
The pandemic has impacted the travel industry in a way that is unparalleled.
Due to cancellations, refunds, and a halt in travelers, most agencies have shut down as a result of the loss of income- this was 2020’s harsh reality and impact on the tourism industry. It was critical, however, to revive most countries’ tourism industries, since they and their citizens heavily depended on them.
With new travel restrictions being implemented per country, the Raleigh Travel Agents found a way to accommodate and guide travelers with their needs toward their journey.
A Cleaner Way to Travel
Throughout the pandemic, countries, governments, and institutions have implemented measures to create a cleaner, safer environment for everyone. Testing centers for COVID-19 have been built around the cities, tracking apps have been created, and sanitation stations have been installed in every store. There are even safety kits available on the airways that come with masks and sanitizers to help prevent spreading the disease.
Do I Need a Negative COVID-19 Test?
Most certainly. For those who are not fully immunized, all they need is a negative RT-PCR test for the duration of their flight. There will be a difference in duration based on the destination country. Depending on your destination, you may need your test to be valid for up to 72 hours or even less before you fly. When possible, take both electronic and paper copies wherever you travel.
Testing and sharing of vaccination results can vary by destination and may only be available in certain languages. If traveling internationally, make sure there are test centers willing to test on foreigners for free.
Many digital applications – such as vaccination passports and vaccination certificates – are providing an easy way to streamline health information in such a way that it can be shared securely across borders.
A Raleigh Travel Agent can help you process your COVID-19 requirements so you can focus on looking forward to your vacation.
Know the COVID-19 Rate In Your Destination
It’s still important to assess COVID-19 levels in your country of destination even if you are fully vaccinated. The higher the COVID-19 rates, the greater the likelihood of you developing COVID-19, mild or otherwise. A country’s embassy website can provide you with the latest test positivity rate (a key measure of virus circulation levels) or you can just search the website for COVID-19 news updates.
Make Sure You’re Insured
A vacation can be a fun and exciting experience, but there are a number of issues that can crop up. Just days before you are scheduled to fly, you might feel extremely ill or your family member may pass away. In either case, staying at home is probably the best thing to do.
Suppose you get to go on your trip, but your luggage is lost or stolen. Perhaps you get into a minor accident during your travel. The COVID-19 outbreak may also be on your mind, as well as the disruptions and cancellations it caused. It’s possible that the best choice is to cancel or reschedule a trip because of the pandemic.
No matter what, having a quality travel insurance policy can be a wise decision. In general, travel insurance protects the financial investment you made in your trip.
A Raleigh Travel Agent can help you find the best policy tailor-fit to your needs.
Pack Your COVID-19 Essentials
Masks, sanitizers, and alcohol might be all you need, but it’s better to go a bit overboard. There is no such thing as being too safe these days. Consider bringing extra medical masks on your trip. It may also be a good idea to bring air purifying necklaces or extra bottles of 100 mL alcohol/sanitizer. Lastly, be sure to take soap that can be carried around in your purse with you!
Will I Have To Quarantine?
In certain countries, entry is restricted based upon the reasons for entering and the travelers must undergo quarantine.
Anyone entering Canada, including those who have tested negative or recovered from Covid-19 or have been vaccinated, must quarantine or risk severe fines or penalties. Tourists and leisure travelers from abroad are prohibited from entering.
Some European countries, however, do not impose quarantine on fully vaccinated travelers.
It’s best to do a bit of research on your country of destination just to be sure.
Establishments Are Slowly Opening
The world is slowly opening up as more people get vaccinated. In addition, COVID-19 safety measures have enabled establishments to slowly open. Most restaurants do allow dine-ins as long as you have your negative COVID-19 test result with you.
As the tourism industry has not yet opened up yet, your Raleigh Travel Agent can best advise you on the COVID-19 rules of your destination, but we find that getting fully vaccinated will make the process of traveling easier.
Be Smart About Your Activities
On vacation, it’s easy to lose sight of the limitations of your regular life. However, if you are not fully vaccinated, there is no magical protection that keeps the virus at bay just because you are river rafting in North Carolina, gambling in Las Vegas, or even going to malls in LA.
You may not be able to do certain activities you always enjoy on vacation, especially if you are traveling internationally. Bars, karaoke cafes, theme parks with indoor rides, and other crowded indoor activities may pose a COVID-19 risk.
Is It Safe to Travel?
With the pandemic’s constant changes, travelers should be very flexible and adjust their expectations accordingly. You may be going on vacation, but that doesn’t mean the world has fully adapted to what the pandemic has brought about. It’s not business as usual anywhere. Adjust your perception of travel.
Ask a Professional
This is one of the most overlooked safety measures while traveling during COVID-19. In these uncertain times, travel advisors are becoming more important. Talk to an expert to be on the safe side. Let a Raleigh Travel Agent plan the perfect vacation for you.
