Search Travel Market Report

mainlogo
www.travelmarketreport.com
  • News
  • Tours & Packages
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Niche & Luxury
  • Well-Being Travel
  • Training & Events
  • Who We Are
    • Anne Marie Moebes
    • Brian Israel
    • Dan McCarthy
    • Denise Caiazzo
    • Dori Saltzman
    • Kelly Fontenelle

Advising Clients in a Maskless Travel World

by Paul Ruden / April 20, 2022
Masks Not Required Airport Airplanes Travel

The new federal mask rules are now in effect. Photo: Shutterstock.com


By now everyone in travel is likely aware that a federal District Court has declared invalid the “mask mandate” for travel. While it remains possible that the Biden administration will appeal the decision, the briefing, argument, and opinion drafting will take considerable time. In the meantime, the District Court’s opinion stands, and travelers are no longer required to wear masks in airports and on aircraft.

This news will be welcomed by some and viewed with disdain by others. Some travelers may elect to cancel or defer their travel plans rather than take what they regard as unnecessary risks as COVID cases are now rising once again in many communities.

It also is possible that the new environment will change somewhat the questions that travelers have of their advisors. Before the decision, the question was “do I have to wear a mask?” and the correct answer was “yes.” Now travelers may expand the zone, so to speak, and start asking for more specific advice. If so, advisors need to be very careful about what they say. 

Travel advisors are not doctors or infectious disease experts and should avoid giving medical advice or risk-based advice about medical issues. On April 12, Dr. Leana Wen, a regular contributor to the Washington Post regarding COVID policy, argued against cities reinstating indoor mask mandates.

Her position was based on the fact that “Less than two months ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention laid out new masking recommendations that changed the primary measurement from cases to hospitalizations and hospital capacity.” That change was based in part on the effects of vaccination among the population and the availability of new treatments that have limited the harmful impacts of COVID-19 on many people.

At the same time, COVID remains a threat to some classes of people, particularly those with compromised immune systems or other particular vulnerabilities to COVID. The generally accepted path forward now is based on individual decision-making about risk tolerance. That is a uniquely individual decision and one on which travel advisors should not engage.

The best advice, I believe, is to tell inquiring travelers that, considering the reality that many, perhaps most, travelers around them will be unmasked, they must decide about their personal level of comfort in traveling in such an environment. That decision should be made in consultation with their medical advisor(s) and their families.

If the client has already booked travel and wants to defer in light of the new ruling, certainly the advisor should try to assist in making changes while being sure the client understands the risks, including that pricing may change. I would hope that the airlines and other travel suppliers who have been lobbying for this change in national health policy, will be flexible and understanding if some travelers are no longer comfortable with previously made arrangements. As in the past, always be alert, and advise accordingly, regarding the uncertainty that refunds will be forthcoming promptly, as they should if flight plans are canceled completely.

Finally, as indicated in Travel Market Report’s summary of airline announcements on April 18, international travel is still affected by the rules of other countries. The court decision, therefore, has probably complicated the state of things rather than simplifying it. Travel advisors will remain critically important counselors for consumers trying to navigate the changing state of affairs inspired by COVID.

  52
  2
Related Articles
TSA PreCheck Hits Membership Milestone
TSA Hits Post-Pandemic Milestone with 2.56 Million Passengers Screened
The CDC Drops All Country Specific COVID-19 Travel Advisories
France Drops Remaining COVID-19 Requirements for Travel
MSC Cruises Drop COVID-19 Test Requirement for Fully Vaccinated Guests on Some Sailings
Here Is Some of the New CDC Guidance on Cruise Ship Travel
The CDC Ends Its Cruise Ship Monitoring Program
CDC Ups Dominican Republic COVID-19 Advisory to ‘High’
Two More Airlines Join TSA PreCheck
The TSA Hits Its Highest Checkpoint Volume Since February 2020

MOST VIEWED

  1. Why Travel Advisors Need to Learn to Say No to New Business
  2. Two of Germany’s Busiest Airports Will Be Closed on Monday
  3. U.S. Passport Renewal Waiting Time Could Soon Get Even Worse
  4. Government of Canada Updates Its Mexico Travel Advisory
  5. Royal Caribbean Eliminates Sky Pad Experience
  6. A Massive Sargassum 'Blob' Could Heavily Impact Florida Beaches this Summer

MOST EMAILED

  1. U.S. State Department Warns of 4-Month Delays for Passport Renewal
  2. U.S. Passport Renewal Waiting Time Could Soon Get Even Worse
  3. Why Travel Advisors Need to Learn to Say No to New Business
  4. U.S. Passport Renewal Processing Time Now 8 to 11 Weeks
  5. European Union Delays Launch of ETIAS Until At Least 2024
  6. Travelers Believe That Working With Advisors Is Only Way to Get a True Luxury Experience
TMR THIS WEEK
Sponsored by ALG Vacations®
//services.travelsavers.com/AMGService.svc/REST/GetImage?ImageID=dbb24e9c-8fcc-ed11-b00b-005056a8720b&Width=350&Height&250

9 Tips for Making Spring Break More Memorable

Spring Break has sprung and Americans are traveling in record-high numbers again

Read More...
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

Top Stories
Tahiti Tourisme Brings Back North American "Receptions" Road Show
Tahiti Tourisme Brings Back North American "Receptions" Road Show

Tahiti Receptions are returning to eight cities across Canada and the U.S. for the first time since 2018. 

Read...
Ontarians Still Concerned About Travel Delays & Cancellations
Ontarians Still Concerned About Travel Delays & Cancellations

Nearly two in three Ontarians are still concerned about having their travel plans delayed or cancelled. 

Read...
Ask an Advisor: Why Would a Client Pay My Fee Instead of Going Somewhere Else?
Ask an Advisor: Why Would a Client Pay My Fee Instead of Going Somewhere Else?

“Why would someone pay my fee when they can go to 20 other agents in my area who are not charging a fee?”

Read...
What Advisors Should Know About AutoCamp Luxury Camping
What Advisors Should Know About AutoCamp Luxury Camping

AutoCamp offers luxury camping in Airstreams, tents, cabins, and suites with nature and modern design.

Read...
Testing the Waters with Dori: The ASTA River Cruise Expo
Testing the Waters with Dori: The ASTA River Cruise Expo

No online training module or webinar can duplicate the education attendees got in just three days at the Expo.

Read...
Canadian Travel Advisors Report Strong Increase in Bookings Over 2022
Canadian Travel Advisors Report Strong Increase in Bookings Over 2022

Advisors who attended TMP West this year are, so far, having a great year. 

Read...
TMR OUTLOOKS & WHITE PAPERS
river cruise 2022
group outlook 2022
lux cruise outlook
CP White Paper
Multi-Gen Outlook
River Cruise Outlook 2019
View All
Advertiser's Voice
https://img.youtube.com/vi/eeYJNcTKI9Q/0.jpg
Check-In Episode 32: We Are in Boom Time for Travel. How Long Will It Last?
About Travel Market Report Mission Staff Advisory Board Advertise
TMR Resources Webinars Calendar of Events Outlook/Whitepapers Previous Sponsored Articles Previous This Week Articles
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
71 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay, NY 11771
News |Tours & Packages |Cruise |Hotels & Resorts |Destinations |Retail Strategies |Niche & Luxury |Well-Being Travel |Training & Events |Who We Are
© 2005 - 2023 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