For those who are eager to get back to traveling, the common mindset is, “Just think of the DEALS!” We have been getting a lot of inquiries from people wanting to get ahead of the herd, and book some travel while demand might be low, and inventory might be high. Makes sense. However, it’s not currently true.
Covid-19 and the quarantines that come with it have hit the world hard. From unemployment to travel restrictions and closed restaurants and resorts, there has been a significant amount of loss throughout most global industries. Travel and tourism have been hit particularly hard. Millions upon millions of dollars have been lost. Think of it like a financial hurricane that has blown through every climate of the industry. There is heartache. There is deep loss. There is destruction and rebuilding to be done.
Carry this compassion with you as you plan your next trip. Airlines are selling fewer seats per flight to allow for social distancing. The number of routes have been significantly decreased. They are investing in new cleaning technologies and different processes to keep us all safer. Hotels are dealing with record losses from vacant prime seasons such as spring break and summer travel. Many employees have lost their jobs or accepted pay cuts. This all trickles down to the local restaurants and shops that depend on tourism to thrive. Taking all of these factors into account, it is very difficult for airlines and resorts to offer deep discounts and still stay in business.
Think of any Covid-19 travel as a win-win. You get a change of scenery and a chance to forget about the world’s woes; the tourism industry gets a little something to help keep them going. It is not a time for super discounts. It’s a time to hold one another up.
The deals might come in time. Certainly resorts are going to want to incent us to visit. There will be good values and your travel agent can notify you of these as they come. But first, we need to give the industry time to heal, and as travel lovers, we need to do our part to help the healing by traveling whenever and however you are comfortable doing so. Be generous where you can. Tip well. Buy the handmade craft from a local. Do your part to help get the world back on its feet again, and we all will be rewarded for it!
Tumbleweed 