No one could have predicted this year. In some way, many of us have been physically, emotionally, and financially affected. How heartbreaking.
With regards to travel, the impact of this pandemic has been felt in every corner of the industry.
Air travel sputtered. Borders are closed, flight schedules have been slashed, and many of us are postponing the trips we’d been looking forward to this year. Hotels were less than half-full. Cruise lines shut down and are now trying to come back. Lots of business owners/operators close. And the unemployment figures are at historic proportions. Our infrastructure was crushed.
Face masks, hand sanitization, and social distancing are now a way of life whether travelling or staying at home. Temperature checks and possibly proof of a COVID-19 vaccination before you can travel again. Airports will continue to unveil contactless check-in and cleaning robots. Looking at the glass half full, it’s possible that airline fees could be completely eliminated post-COVID-19. Wouldn’t that be nice!!
The world worked from home and lockdown life begins. Staycations, driving holidays, shorter stays were how we travelled this year.
Some rays of hope. Rapid testing at YYC and the U.S. Coutts land border crossing to reduce quarantine times. And with the release of COVID-19 vaccines, the path to crossing borders again.
It will take time, but let’s hope the vaccine news to end the year is a good sign of things to come. We are, if anything, resilient.
