Happy National Plan for Vacation Day
To celebrate National Plan for Vacation Day, we talked to UF THEM expert Heather Gibson, Ph.D., professor, about how you can still plan for a vacation this year. Since there is still a lot of worry associated with traveling due to the global pandemic, we wanted to provide those who are traveling with safe travel tips.
Now more than ever we need to research different destinations and the requirements related to quarantine restrictions, Covid-19 test centers, or what the protocols are for individuals who receive the vaccine. The next step is to look for transportation and see which airlines are practicing safe procedures. For example, if someone needs to cancel a flight, what is the airline’s rule: refund, reschedule, or neither? If the destination is domestic, is it safer to drive and rent a car? In addition, in planning a 2021 vacation we need to research changes in the airport: do they require you to print/download your boarding pass before arriving at the airport? Do you need to have a negative test result in order to be allowed into the country? Will a Covid-19 rapid test count or does it need to be a PCR test? Lastly, the research of hotels is highly important for any desired destination because you need to see what protocols are being taken for guests to stay safe and healthy. Each of us have our own levels of comfort and we have to think about if we are comfortable with being in a shared lobby or having to use an elevator. If not, then its recommended to research bed and breakfasts or Airbnb’s in the area to make sure that you can enjoy your time on vacation while feeling safe and comfortable.
When it comes to study abroad, many experiences have been postponed or canceled due to the pandemic. Dr. Gibson provided solutions for students who still want to grow their “cultural bubble” and still get their study abroad experience. Dr. Gibson stated how a solution for students who lost their study abroad experience would be to register for a virtual study abroad program. These online programs are an opportunity for students to virtually meet students at another university across the globe. Although you will not physically be in the destination, you will virtually be in the destination through cameras and meeting new people and discussing what their everyday life looks like. Another solution is to study on one of the university’s international campuses either in fall, spring, or even during the summer.
“We tend to forget about local, diverse cultures, many of which are just 50 miles away,” said Dr. Gibson. “Opportunities are abound for nearby destinations, or maybe a long weekend for to reach those that are further.”
A great way to experience new cultures safely are domestic vacations and appreciating what’s around you. Road trips to rural outdoor destinations have been popular due to the safety levels being increased when spending vacation in the outdoors. A few examples of places someone can visit are ski resorts, beaches, hiking trails, or national parks for instance. In addition, if one’s work is remote, “staycations” have also been growing in popularity, which may also entail working from the new location while enjoying the hotel or resort in the free time. Whether you are taking online classes or your company has gone remote, a safe option is to rent a house and live in a new place with your friends or family. This solution allows people to emerge themselves in a new culture while also staying safe and healthy.
Although this year has caused the tourism and hospitality industry to take a huge financial hit, it has also caused some outcomes which may hopefully stick around. In terms of sustainability, less cars traveling from work and back home has created better air quality, and places like Venice have been recovering from “Overtourism” and its consequences, including cleared up the water in canals. These benefits are not only helping us become much more aware of how our life impacts the world that we live in, but also helps us realize that we need to take a break every now and then. This pandemic has allowed us to take this opportunity to rebuild the travel industry in a different model.
