The Future of Travel

As much of a homebody as I am, I do enjoy traveling. I like discovering new places, and I like returning to favorite places. I love to try new restaurants. I enjoy the challenge of packing a streamlined suitcase, distilled to a capsule wardrobe and essential items. I like the organizational and planning aspect of developing an itinerary in advance, so that once we're there, we can just follow the agenda without worrying about what to do or what might be open. My husband and I were supposed to go on a long trip in May, which was obviously cancelled. We also had a short trip planned in the fall, which we already called off. But I'm still looking forward to being able to travel again, someday.

Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels

Rick Steves, the prolific tour guide, travel writer, and TV host, does not seem to have high hopes for the short term future of European travel (his specialty). As he points out, if transportation and entertainment have to operate at half capacity, you can't get the volume of scale you would from a full house, so it will cost more for each person, and could lead to travel being less attainable for the average person. He also worries about smaller, local businesses that won't be able to continue operating at only half the capacity and half the revenue. However, he also seems a little rigid in that travel to him involves social interactions like meeting a local at the bar, being greeted with a kiss, or walking around in crowds. While the virus itself may be contained and under control in a few years, some of those types of traditions may be gone forever - just like some people are predicting we'll no longer shake hands.

If you are planning to travel domestically in the US, here's four resources that can help you plan a safe trip, based on status and preparedness of the state, infection rates, mask laws, and how "open" businesses are.