This week in travel news: June 24
June 21st was the first official day of summer, and it’s been a whole week since we learned about the inbound Covid testing to the US was being dropped. What does that mean for you? Have you changed your travel plans as a result?
Travel demand has already risen, which will bring international visitors, while US travelers have already started looking at farther flung places that have been out of testing reach for years.
“Despite Inflation and Rising Costs, Travel Is Still Top-of-Mind for U.S. Consumers”, reported by Daniel McCarthy this week from Washington, DC. The new study run by American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) shows that travel remains top of mind and important for people’s mental health. Many cited planning dream vacations are afoot in 2023.
PRIDE
It’s PRIDE Month, and we honor, support, and ally with the LGBTQ+ community. As we see from the current landscape, the hard-fought rights can be swiftly taken away, and humanity is fragile. Donate and give your time & voice to organizations that support the community: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/g32917782/best-lgbtq-charities-to-donate/
Back to celebrating the community and parades, here is a year-round calendar all over the world to celebrate by IGLTA, the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association: https://www.iglta.org/Events/LGBTQ-Pride-Calendar and check out Seeker’s list as well https://seeker.io/pride-parades/
A few of my favorite new connections made via Jody Vandergriff, founder of Seeker, are Ravi, Gabi and Shanna who I follow on the Gram. We met in NYC at my media party and been following them ever since and you should too:
Air Travel
Each weekend, the reports of more cancellations are plaguing our travel plans. As we head into another summer weekend, here’s my advice on flying right now. Deep breaths everyone.
With the main tip being that you should only carry on, there are options to send your luggage ahead to meet you at your destination. If you’re going for a longer period, need special attire, ski or golf equipment or it’s your honeymoon, you want to dress the part, then send it ahead with some of these options: LugLess, Luggage Forward, or Luggage Free.
Trending Travels
Get ready to start paying and applying to travel to Europe. Thankfully, it looks like it will be a quick process and only 7 euros. What we know so far from CNN: https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/etias-eu-visa-waiver/index.html
Have to agree with these: “20 Classic Summer Vacations Everyone Should Take at Least Once. These summer vacation ideas have something for every type of traveler,” by Lindsay Tigar and Skye Sherman
https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/summer-vacations/summer-vacation-ideas
Who has Portugal topping their visit list? Liz Newman reports for Thrillist: “These Are the Dreamiest Places in Portugal. Plan your trip around beach caves, cliffy islands, and medieval towns.”
https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/best-places-to-visit-in-portugal-lisbon
My dream trip literally just showed up in The New York Times: Mozambique by horseback with the author of the book “One Hundred and Four Horses: A Memoir of Farm and Family, Africa and Exile,” which I am finishing reading; https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/20/travel/horses-mozambique-bazaruto-archipelago.html
Follow Friday
@KaeLaniSays, food & travel expert and host of Philly’s Check Please!
@TheGlobalTrip, Erik Trinidad, a good friend and writer who was just down in Philly visiting
@AlexinWanderland, Alex Baackes my partner in Wander Women Lebanon Retreats
@SustainableWanderlust, founder Rose O’Connor is an award-winning travel advisor + sustainable consultant to the travel industry.
Have a great weekend! See you on the ‘gram…
