Gabe The Travel Guy

New data this week from San Francisco-based Destination Analysts shows some positive signs for the travel industry. The latest weekly survey of more than 1200 American travelers (published April 27) shows that personal concerns about contracting the coronavirus is at a six-week low. That said, 6.7 out of 10 still are worried about getting hit with COVID19. But the gradual drop-off may have something to do with the increasing awareness that -- in the new, post-pandemic "normal" -- travel companies will be prioritizing cleanliness and sanitation. That, of course, is in response to consumers' own demands. Travelers post-COVID will expect things like hand sanitizers and disinfectant wipes readily available when they're out and about. They'll be receptive to things like body temp screenings and health questionnaires before they board a flight or check-in to a hotel. And -- and this is a big cue for the travel space -- they will want cleaning procedures to be show...

I can't be the only one feeling antsy to get back to it.  I'd say "back to reality," but it's becoming increasingly clear that the post-COVID "normal" won't be all that normal at all, at least not at first, or for awhile. That applies to travel, of course. Part of me finds that unfortunate, because I'm missing the ease, the frequency and the rhythm of travel that was so familiar just a few weeks ago. Then again, travel after the pandemic will be more hygienic, not to mention more flexible and more affordable. At the end of the day, no matter what the new travel "normal" is -- sign me up! I'm ready to go! Pico Iyer speaking in Santa Barbara in 2016 In the meantime, I'm finding a few pearls of wisdom from Pico Iyer helpful. The novelist whose travel essays have inspired wanderlust in so many of us for decades was the keynote speaker at Visit Santa Barbara's annual Tourism Luncheon in 2016. As he spoke, I remember fev...

Caution continues to reign supreme! But signs are beginning to point toward a post-COVID return to "reality," including as it relates to travel. Phase 2 of President Trump's three-pronged plan to reopen the US economy mentions that "nonessential travel can resume," though the final word will come from state and local officials. In my home state of California, stay-at-home orders in many counties are in effect through May 15th, so it'll likely be summer before Phase 2 arrives here. The Saglie Five + Milo have always loved the road trip! #saglieadventures Of course, the ultimate say over how the travel industry rebounds lies with travelers. We will travel again, that's for sure. But where we go, how we get there and how we explore will be different. Consumer concerns over things like cruises, flights and far-flung travel remain high right now. I figure those will ease more quickly once we begin to move around much more freely again. The one mode ...

San Francisco-based Destination Analysts is tracking American travel sentiment weekly, as the travel industry continues to grapple with COVID-19 fallout and to look for clues to normalcy's return. During a web event hosted by Visit Santa Barbara , results from their 4th week of analysis, based on a survey of 1216 travelers fielded April 3 through 5, were released. There is light at the end of the tunnel, I'd say, including the fact that -- even amidst the daily tally of coronavirus-related hospitalizations and deaths -- 41% have at least tentative plans to travel in July and/or August. Most promising to me is the fact that pent-up demand has not waned: 69% of US travelers say they miss traveling and are anxious to hit the road again, a number that's up from the previous week. For major sectors of the industry, though, the new numbers show that safety and health concerns have made hesitation soar, at least in the short term. For example, more than 86% of travelers ...

The CEO of JetBlue, Joanna Geraghty, sent out a note to the airline's frequent flyers today that extended remarkable support to medical heroes on the front lines of America's coronavirus battle. As all airlines, JetBlue is pivoting in this new normal, using aircraft that recently transported passengers to, instead, deliver humanitarian assistance to cities it serves, including New York. "Our flights are transporting critical healthcare personnel, medical equipment and supplies to where they are needed most," she wrote. JetBlue is also inviting these medical first responders free flights to assist in the coronavirus response; requests can be made via this link . Geraghty also shared a 90-second video expressing gratitude for its crewmembers and passengers. JetBlue announced this week that, due to coronavirus fallout, it is consolidating operations in five major markets thru June 10th and suspending flights at eight U.S. airports for two months. JetBlue was ...

As a frequent United passenger (and a million-miler 1K flyer), this news makes me happy: the airline is extending Premier status through January 31, 2022! This  protection is peace of mind for those of us who love to fly, and who are anxious to fly again, but whose up-in-the-air activity has been drastically slashed – or brought to a screeching halt – by the current #StayHome COVID-19 mandates. You’ll find some of the other new benefits – including extended PlusPoint expiration for 1K and Platinum members for six months and usage of all electronic travel certificates for 24 months --   on United Airlines’ news hub . Travel restrictions worldwide continue to impact all US airlines, which are being forced to – in the short term – reduce capacity; for example, United is slashing 90% of its international flights in the month of April. United is pivoting, though, by flying medical equipment for coronavirus testing and conducting about 40 cargo-only flights per week. O...