Did you know … even if you’re traveling to a European country that doesn’t require fully vaccinated travellers to take a COVID test, if you’re flying through the UK you do need a test – even if you’re not leaving the airport? It’s an illustration of how challenging and complicated it is to travel in 2021. Each country having its own health protocols is just the tip of the iceberg. So what is it like to travel in 2021? Here’s what my colleagues and other travel experts say (all with personal experience in travelling recently).
What’s It Like to Travel in 2021
Some destinations require only a proof of vaccination (or recovery from COVID) to enter. Others, including the US, require a negative test regardless of vaccination status. At this time, many countries still require quarantines in addition to testing. And some countries are closed to us entirely (hello Australia and New Zealand)…
Many require an online health declaration before you leave or on paper to fill out on the plane. And some countries are sending authorisation letters once a traveller submits the forms. Submission alone doesn’t guarantee you’ll be approved to travel.
While travelling to Egypt back in November 2020, Air France required a form even for transit passengers. There might be QR codes for arrival, departure, or even checking into a hotel. While I always recommend you take out travel insurance, it’s especially important in the COVID era. Some countries now require travel insurance.
Before You Go, or At the Airport
At the airport and throughout the flight experience, you’ll notice plenty of changes. First off, lots of flights are being cancelled because of pilot shortages sparked by layoffs and furloughs from 2020. Your flight might be cancelled or changed (including flight number, so check carefully!). Airports and airline staff are busy. Airline call centres have extremely long wait times as changes are frequent and questions are plentiful. Food and drink service might be minimal while you’re in the air.
On the Ground
When you land, you’ll notice things aren’t quite what you remember from travel experiences of the past. Ride shares can be tough to get and more expensive than you’d imagine. Rental car companies sold a lot of spare inventory when they had no demand in 2020. Now rental cars are scarce and can be expensive. This is even true for car rentals this fall, winter, or next spring. Expect to pay upwards of $150/day for a car in a popular destination.
As new variants surge around the world, countries are instituting lockdowns that can come into effect with little to no notice. A colleague of mine was in South Africa when the country slammed into a level 4 lockdown. Clients and friends in the Dominican Republic dealt with a last minute shutdown that literally went into effect with no notice. Government mandated lockdowns mean different things in different places. Please remember that things can change quickly and the airline or hotel staff are navigating as best they can.
At the Hotel
When you arrive at your hotel, you might find it understaffed and the people who are working there overwhelmed. A lot of them might be new, so the level of service might not be up to your prepandemic expectations. This is true even at luxury hotels and resorts. Housekeeping might only be once every two or three days, or perhaps not come at all if your stay is a short one, unless you specifically request it. Staff are adhering to mask protocols, so they might still be wearing masks even if they’re fully vaccinated and if you’re not required to. Some hotels might ask you to wear a mask in public spaces even if you are fully vaccinated.
Restaurant reservations can be very tough to come by thanks to limited capacities. When you do get in, you might find menus are still limited because of supply chain complications that are out of the restaurant’s hands. Perhaps not all of the restaurants at your hotel are even open, and the ones that are might have limited hours. In popular destinations like Hawaii, beloved restaurants are booking out months in advance.
Travel in 2021 — Getting Better, but Not There Yet
Though there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, there is still a pandemic going on, and it’s affecting different parts of the world differently. We’re so thrilled to be able to return to some of our favourite destinations safely, but it’s important to keep in mind that the experience will be different than before and it won’t be possible to fulfill your every wish. I am here to help you navigate the complexities of travel in 2021, and to help manage your expectations.
When you do go out there, please remember that everyone — hotel staff, restaurant staff, tour guides, etc. — is doing their best to make the experience great in a difficult situation. Just like we all have, they’ve had a stressful go of things, and right now it’s overwhelming trying to meet the sudden increase in demand. The world of travel is jump-starting from a down period, trying to go from 0 to 60 as quickly as possible.
If I can stress one thing, it is that everyone needs to have patience. We all need to practice a little bit of grace too. Be kind, and remember that when you travel, people are welcoming you into their home. If you treat others with respect, they will return the favour.