Search Travel Market Report

ALGV
check in
check in
mainlogo
  • News
  • Tours & Packages
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Niche & Luxury
  • Well-Being Travel
  • Training & Events
  • Who We Are
    • Anne Marie Moebes
    • Barbara Peterson
    • Brian Israel
    • Daine Taylor
    • Dan McCarthy
    • Denise Caiazzo
    • Jessica Montevago
    • Marilee Crocker
    • Mary Gostelow
    • Paul M. Ruden
    • Steve Gillick
Search Sponsored By Logo
Search Sponsored By Logo
Check In

Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Dealing with the ‘New Normal’

by Jessica Montevago / July 15, 2020
Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Dealing with the ‘New Normal’

Travel's 'new normal' with COVID-19 will require new measures to keep travelers safe, including mask wearing and social distancing, the U.S. Travel Association said. Photo: Shutterstock.com. 


Questions and concerns surrounding travel during the coronavirus pandemic have run the gamut from ‘Is it safe?’ to ‘How can people minimize their risk?’ While it’s clear people still want to travel after being on lockdown, many want to do so in a safe way.

And that’s good news for the travel industry, which has been hit the hardest by COVID-19. Travel related job losses have passed 8 million, and 51% of workers in the industry are unemployed, said Tori Emerson Barnes, executive vice president of public affairs and policy at U.S. Travel Association, during a media briefing Tuesday held with the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

Emerson stressed the importance of reopening the economy in a safe and responsible way by wearing masks and promoting other health practices, such as limiting crowds, contactless payments, and health screenings of employees and guests.

The U.S. Travel Association has collaborated with health leaders to establish consistent practices across the country, aligning with the Centers for Diseases Control (CDC) guidance.

Mask and social distancing requirements
The phased, layered approach focuses on barriers to encourage social distancing, and wearing a mask is “critical.” There’s also an emphasis social responsibility in order to get the public to comply.

Another critical element is comprehensive testing, Emerson said. The U.S. Travel Association is lobbying for the Test Act, which will modernize COVID testing measures, to be included in the next round of legislation. It’s also advocating for more widespread contact tracing.

“The best way to get people moving again is for them to wear masks. We’re going to continue to push that although we realize it has become political, but we are encouraging people to follow CDC guidelines,” she said. “Recovery is contingent on businesses and travelers adhering to these policies.”

Dr. Trish Perl, chief of the infectious diseases division at UT Southwestern Medical Center, said this provides the opportunity to “put in place a new normal,” much like post-9/11 saw new security efforts we still have to this day.

Dr. Perl stressed mask wearing, screening, disinfection, and physical distance as key measures in order to keep travelers as safe as possible. Washing your hands or using hand sanitizer can reduce risk by 50%, while using a mask can reduce risk by 70%, she said.

Masks will also help against influenza and will help protect against a lot of other things, she said, and will overall be beneficial to public health.

“If we choose operators that are putting this kind of safety practice forward, this is how it will become more expected.”

Precautions for those who are traveling
For those who do decide to travel, Dr. Perl said it’s important to make the best choices possible: don’t travel if you’re sick, drive instead of public transportation, and choose outdoor destinations.

“The risk associated with camping is extremely low, use common sense and think about avoiding crowds,” she recommended. “If you decide to [travel] there are ways it can be done to make it safer.”

When there is crowding, “the risk is going to go up significantly,” Dr. Perle said, for places like Walt Disney World, she said “you may not want to choose to do things where you are going to an area where there is crowding.”

If you are going to fly, take wipes to clean down surfaces, wear a mask and use hand hygiene – either washing hands with soap and water or using a sanitizer. She added that there has been data to support keeping that middle seat open will help limit spread.

“Ideally, yes we don’t want people to put themselves and others at risk, but we have to balance the realities of how do we do things safely,” Dr. Perle said, adding that she feels more comfortable with travel now than she did two or three months ago because of “how effective masks can be.”

“To me the biggest challenge is to get a very independent country to say this is non-negotiable. If we want to move forward and open up, masks wearing is not negotiable.” She pointed to wearing seatbelts and banning indoor smoking as major public health changes that have taken place, all starting at a grassroots level.

  24
  5
check in

MOST VIEWED

Brought To You By
  1. Israel Looks Ahead to Reopening for Tourism
  2. CDC: Vaccinated People Can Now Travel Without Testing or Quarantining
  3. CDC: U.S. Cruises Could Resume by Mid-Summer with Restrictions
  4. Travelers to Quintana Roo Will Soon Have to Pay Tourist Tax
  5. U.S. State Department Expands Level 4 Travel Advisory to 80% of Countries
  6. American Airlines Opens Quarantine-Free Travel Corridor from New York to Italy

MOST EMAILED

Brought To You By
  1. CDC: Vaccinated People Can Now Travel Without Testing or Quarantining
  2. Travel Advisors Add Fees, Urge Clients to Purchase Insurance
  3. U.S. State Department Expands Level 4 Travel Advisory to 80% of Countries
  4. NCLH Submits Plan to CDC, Will Require All Guests to Be Vaccinated
  5. Despite Calls, CDC Stays Firm on Nov. 1 Cruising Restart
  6. Pandemic Prompts Merger of 2 Luxury NY Agencies
Tip of the Day
Brought To You By

I think being in contact with [my clients] gave them more confidence in me and the suggestions I offer.

Linda Kinsey, Custom Travel & Cruise

 Share...
Daily Top List
Brought To You By

5 Things Every Travel Agency Should Do To Boost Business

1. Specialize
2. Give a personal touch
3. Find your niche and sell an experience
4. Maintain a high standard of quality
5. Become a salesman…but inspire trust

Source: Azavista.com

 Share...
Previous Daily Top List
TMR THIS WEEK
Sponsored by Palace Resorts
//services.travelsavers.com/AMGService.svc/REST/GetImage?ImageID=6d4c3dac-26a1-eb11-a8db-005056a855ed&Width=350&Height&250

All-Inclusive Resorts: Ticking All the Boxes During COVID-19

From safety to convenience, travel advisors report all-inclusives remain number one and the reasons why.

Read More...
check in
TMR Subscription

Subscribe today to receive daily in-depth coverage, analysis of industry news, trends and issues that affect how you do business. Subscribe now for free.

Subscribe to TMR

TMR Recommendations
Daniel Zim
Zim Travel Law, PLLC. Demystifying Complexity with Down to Earth Advice. Attorney Advertising.
hbar
Rodney Gould
Rodney E. Gould concentrates in travel and tour-operator litigation and regularly counsels travel-related entities worldwide.
hbar
Tom Carpenter
Carpenter Law Office - Representing clients in the travel and tourism industries. Attorney Advertising.
hbar
Top Stories
Check-In Clip: The Five F's of Success
Check-In Clip: The Five F's of Success

What is most important both inside and outside of a career? 

Read...
The Biggest Concern of First-Time Cruise Guests is Pricing
The Biggest Concern of First-Time Cruise Guests is Pricing

That is according to TMR’s Outlook on New to Cruise, an inside look at the market for first-time cruisers pre-COVID-19.

Read...
Video: How to 'Be Where Your Customers Are' on Social Media
Video: How to 'Be Where Your Customers Are' on Social Media

Here's one rule for picking which social platform you want to devote your time to. 

Read...
Attention Advisors: Here’s How to Streamline Your Workflow
Attention Advisors: Here’s How to Streamline Your Workflow

Jennifer Jacob’s system for improving efficiency helps travel advisors sharply curtail phone interruptions, minimize time-consuming email exchanges, limit passive inquiries and create a more professional image.

Read...
Video: Why Are Facebook Closed Groups a Powerful Tool for Travel Advisors?
Video: Why Are Facebook Closed Groups a Powerful Tool for Travel Advisors?

Advisors can use closed groups as more of an actual sales and marketing platform than a social gathering tool. 

Read...
ASTA Fights Back Against New Texas Bill that Would Tax Agency Fees
ASTA Fights Back Against New Texas Bill that Would Tax Agency Fees

'Now is the worst possible time to be raising taxes on the travel agency sector.'

Read...
News Briefs
  • Tourism Cares Expands its Board of Directors
  • Industry Veteran Geraldine Ree Releases New Book to Help Travel Advisors Rebound
  • World Travel Holdings Offering Up to $1 Million in Loans to Dream Vacations and CruiseOne Owners
  • Consumers Deterred by COVID-19 Are Banking on Traveling in Early 2021
  • ASTA Asks Advisors to Fill Out Survey on COVID Impact
  • Travel Edge Completes Two-Day Virtual Event
TMR Outlooks
New to Cruise Outlook
Expedition 2020
Wellness Outlook
View All
Advertiser's Voice
https://img.youtube.com/vi/N5xNbw81xio/0.jpg
Check-In Clip: The Five F's of Success
About Travel Market Report Mission Editorial Staff Advisory Board Advertise
TMR Resources Webinars Calendar of Events
Subscribe to TMR
Select Language
Do You Have an Idea Email
editor@travelmarketreport.com
Give Us a Call
1-(516) 730-3097
Drop Us a Note
Travel Market Report
243 South Street, OysterBay, NY, 11771
News|Leisure Travel|Land Vacations|Cruise|Canada Retail Strategies|Well-Being|Luxury|Training
© 2005 - 2021 Travel Market Report, an American Marketing Group Inc. Company All Rights Reserved | 243 South Street, Oyster Bay, NY, 11771 USA | Telephone (516) 730-3097| Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy