Let’s talk Coronavirus…shall we?

Well I’m sure you’ve noticed by now – it’s an interesting time in my industry right now for sure.

And one question weighs heavily one everyone’s mind: “Should I stay or should I go?”

I tend to lean towards not adding to the noise, but there’s really no choice from a professional standpoint – it’s time to address this head on. So here are my thoughts on the matter.

Is it safe to travel?

The answer: Yes and no.

Infuriating, isn’t it?

And it’s really because it depends on where you want to go right now. So here are your best resources for choosing to decide whether or not to travel:

Consult with your Travel Advisor

If there was any time that I could argue where having a travel advisor in your corner is a huge advantage, it’s right now. Currently, I and many of my colleagues, are in close contact with our suppliers to monitor not only the current travel situation in your destination, but also monitoring cancellation policies and alternative plans and arrangements. Many of us are spending hours on the phone advocating for our clients to make sure they are not only taken care of, but that their vacation days and dollars don’t go to waste. I was even able to book a better deal for another client to take advantage of falling rates for later on in the year.

Determine your personal risk tolerance.

There was a GREAT article in the Wall Street Journal this week that addressed just this. Currently I am reminding clients that it’s not just the risk of contracting the virus. There is also the risk of quarantine or getting stranded somewhere because of new travel advisories being put out every day. Determine what you are willing to risk, and make a judgement call accordingly.

Consult with credible sources like the CDC and State Department Travel Advisories.

Your local news source is great for finding out what is going on down the street. But for the most up to date reports regarding the virus and other incidents around the world, there’s nothing better than these two resources.

Take a look at your Travel Insurance Policy.

It’s always offered, and a majority of the time it is still declined. But if you are still planning travel for this year, I cannot stress enough the importance of a Travel Insurance Policy. Travel Insurance will always be an enigma of our industry, but for the best answers regarding which policies best protect you, refer to your travel advisor and their partner suppliers for the most up to date information.

At the end of the day the most important thing to us is the health and safety of our clients. While cancelling a trip is never fun, for us or our client, at times it is a necessary part of doing business.

Wondering where it is still safe to go? Give us a call! Currently we have seen an uptick trend in interest for the Caribbean, Bora Bora, and even domestic travel locations. There are still several options outside of Italy for your vacation this year. And if you do travel, you know that someone has your back while you prepare to go.

Until next time, happy wanderlusting!

XO Krystal