The big question everyone is asking us right now is (of course) this one: “What’s going to happen with international travel for the rest of 2021?”
You know we don’t have a crystal ball, but here is our opinion based on what we’re hearing in the trade.
The news is optimistic, but the pandemic is far from over. You will see these seemingly competing narratives in the news.
Here is a more nuanced take:
- Increasing rates of vaccination both in the United States and in Europe will make travel there more likely for this summer and fall, but it doesn’t mean the pandemic is over.
- Masks will be required on airplanes until further notice – it will likely be years before this requirement is removed.
- Masks may be required at indoor venues for the balance of this year.
- If you’re going on a river cruise, the best resource I’ve seen so far is this 5-minute video from Viking about what to expect on the ships. Even if you’re not sailing with Viking, the other lines will have similar protocols. https://www.vikingrivercruises.com/my-trip/health-and-safety/health-and-safety-program.html
- Testing will continue for some time yet, and proof of vaccination will not remove the need for testing. Until there is proof that vaccination stops you from being a carrier of the virus, testing will be part of the deal. Fortunately, rapid and reliable testing is becoming easier and more available.
- Some countries and more travel suppliers could announce a vaccine requirement (American Queen Steamboat Company and Crystal Cruises have already done so).
- Greece has published its roadmap to reopening and announced it will welcome foreign visitors on May 15th. The European Union members are meeting later this month to discuss their reopening plans, so we expect more information to be forthcoming shortly following that.
- Outside of Europe, the message is more mixed. Canada has closed its borders to cruise ships until next year. Australia and New Zealand are making similar signals. I’ve been asked if this is some big conspiracy of Commonwealth Nations J. No – it has much more to do with how reliant a country is on tourism. While these three countries all have large tourism industries, they are rich countries with other interests. Mexico, by contrast, has had very little in the way of restrictions, likely because it is heavily reliant on tourism.
The bottom line here is that we are optimistic for travel to Europe this summer and fall, and other parts of the world will be open on a highly localized basis.
It will be different than it was in 2019, but I don’t believe it will be a significantly diminished experience.
Some things will be better – there will be fewer crowds, for example.
Now it’s your turn. What are YOUR thoughts about international travel in 2021?
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I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
