The COVID-19 pandemic has been with us for over a year and is still reaping havoc on populations worldwide. The pandemic has significantly halted the travel industry, too, but a trickle of what it was last year. We are hopeful that the recently developed COVID-19 vaccines will help restore some normalcy to life in general and the travel industry in particular. We still encourage you to take your vacation but ensure that you follow all COVID-19 safety protocols when traveling. We will highlight some of the ways travel has changed during COVID-19 and some items you must take with you on your next trip during this pandemic.

How has traveling changed during COVID-19?

Social distancing

Travel and hospitality are all about welcoming people and providing heartfelt service, which often means physical contact between staff and guests. It is basic human nature to want to extend a hug or a handshake to show appreciation for each other, and this was a natural part of hospitality before COVID-19. However, one of the new protocols that travel businesses will now strictly enforce is social distancing. Hotels, airlines, and other travel businesses will operate at reduced capacities to keep people apart as best as possible. Several airlines, for example, will not sell middle seats to protect their passengers. Some hotels have also decided to operate at no more than 70% of their full capacity to facilitate social distancing. This will allow them to rearrange seating in restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues to be further apart. Implementing these social distancing protocols they hope will make operations safer and limit the possibility of spreading the virus within their travel businesses.

Several hotels and travel businesses will also be utilizing self-check-in and digital document signing technologies to reduce the interaction between staff and guests and control the number of people present in the hotel lobby at any given time. Some businesses will also use biometrics, such as facial recognition and eye testing technology, to reduce human interaction as much as possible.

Wearing masks on your vacation

When people go on vacation under normal circumstances, they let their guard down, unwind, and enjoy the freedom that comes with being in a relaxing and calm environment. However, due to COVID-19, wearing a mask is now a requirement for most if not all travel businesses, from airlines, airports, hotels, restaurants, and attractions. So, wherever you go on your vacation, you will be required to wear a mask! This is a new normal for travel during COVID-19, so be prepared to see many people in masks! Wearing a mask should not detract from your travel experience but is just a measure that will make you safer while on your dream vacation.

Sanitization

When traveling during COVID-19, one of the most common things you will be required to do is sanitize your hands. You will find several sanitization stations in airports, airplanes, hotels, and other travel attractions. Please be prepared to be sanitized several times per day when you are on your vacation during COVID-19