Travel wisely.
With so many rules and regulations, travel consultants are so important.
“The World Is A Book And Those Who Do Not Travel Read Only One Page.” – Agustine Of Hippo
It has been decades of working in the travel business, and yet, I am still wary, still cautious and thorough, just in case something goes wrong. Leaving nothing to chance, and yes, I check everything at least fifty times.
I’m the one at the airport with the zipping and unzipping to make sure the passport is there, even if I have just seen it. Touched it, I check again. The same with the luggage tags, the airline ticket, and now, since Covid, every other document required.
Bit of a mine field out there at the moment, but do not let this put you off. Despite the Covid PCR tests, the lateral tests, the different rules set by different countries, once organised, it is little in comparison to the joy of travelling to a special destination. Do not be dissuaded or discouraged, the world is waiting.
There was a time when travel agents, consultants and planners were deemed unnecessary by some. Booking on line, directly with the airlines or comparative sights was a doddle. Other booking portals could secure your hotel or apartment, even car hire, so why use an agent to organise this when it was child’s play to do it yourself? Why pay a commission to someone who has been in the industry for years, travelled extensively and has the experience?
From personal experience, sitting in a red listed country and trying to get to my family, every day was one of checking what the latest rules applied to my situation. It changed hourly, never mind daily and plans made were cancelled or changed to a later date. Going via Green or Amber countries turned into nightmares when those very destinations changed status and their borders closed. Vouchers, airline tickets needing refunds and hotels closed forever, the list goes on - great respect to all travel consultants, airline staff, travel staff, hospitality staff and any others in the fray who worked endlessly to assist passengers and travellers during the worst of the pandemic.
Travelling over the past few weeks has also offered myself and others, first hand experience on what it’s like to travel during Covid, which documents were asked for, some no longer needed and how the world is dealing with the slow but stead opening up of borders. Valuable information, daily notes, what has changed, what is no longer there. What tests do you need, where can you get them, does your travel insurance cover Covid, all the small details.
Planning and sorting out the travel arrangements for next year, making use of the many vouchers in play which will expire shortly, the rules will change changed again. Plan carefully, make use of those in the industry who can assist and support you, but most of all, do it - travel again, explore again, for not only will you have the best time, you will be helping others in the tourism industry to get back on their feet again.
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