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It seems so recent that we were cruising along at high speed, living life, and traveling afar. And then somebody slammed on the brakes so hard that most of us are still trying to make sense of it all. Instead of booking flights and making plans, we’re hoarding toilet paper and hand sanitizer. (Seriously, the toilet paper is a global thing). I don’t get it, do you?
While Covid-19 will no doubt run its course, it’s apparent now that things are going to get worse before they get better. It’s time to press PAUSE.
And take care of each other. We’re all in this together, and while we may lament recently cancelled March Break plans, or upcoming adventures in limbo, the time to travel will return. For now, let’s just hold it in our memories and future dreams.
I had planned to reflect on some past trips this month, that would serve as inspiration and travel planning assistance into the spring and summer, but that now is insensitive to our current situation at best.
In the coming weeks I’m going to consider what type of content might be most relevant to readers in these times of change. That content planner will likely include (1) Immediate concern tips such as navigating trip cancellation, insurance, credits for future travel, (2) Emerging topics: avoiding fraud schemes during economic downturns, future trip planning, and the likely to shift demands of consumers around cancellation policies and the notion of “healthy travel”. Hopefully once we’re through those two phases we can start to get back to looking at new travel escapes again, since let’s face it, there’s a lot of cabin fever happening being locked up in isolation! During that phase (3) I expect to feature road trip destinations initially, with the emphasis on supporting your local economy and businesses, and eventually get back to phase (4) with international travel destinations. It’s going to be tricky and messy getting this all restarted once we’re in the clear, since that line is less of a universal one, and more of a localized thing, which will favour opening travel in phases I suspect. And since the economic hit to the industry will be dramatic, what we emerge back into may well look dramatically different from what we left. Let’s try to stay positive about what will become the “new normal.” No doubt opportunity awaits there for those with the right attitude!
So for now, let’s just take care of each other. Practice social distancing as requested, and refrain from travel.
Until my next post,
Stay well my friends. The time to pack your bags will return.
And when it does, I hope you’ll travel light
Mary