The last 18 months have been like none we have experienced in our lifetimes. There is no question about it. Offices were closed while employees worked from home. Some companies were forced to shut down completely. The travel and hospitality industries enacted drastic measures to stay afloat as businesses suffered. People across the country developed cabin fever while they endured months of lockdowns and restrictions. The pandemic dictated where we could go and how we shopped. It drastically altered our travel and leisure activities.
Thankfully, those dark days are fading and your members – along with thousands of other people – are ready to travel again. A Fortune.com article reports that the travel industry is looking for a quick rebound after a dismal 2020 and partial 2021. Americans are anxious to get back on the road, rails and in the air.
Regardless of where or when your members travel, here are some tips to make any trip more enjoyable and affordable:
- Discounts. Every dollar counts. Online booking sites offer discounts on hotels, restaurants and attractions. Popular vacation spots are blanketed with coupon magazines geared toward local businesses. Use them.
- Club memberships. Travel clubs offer exciting vacations to exotic places around the world at group rates. Traveling with a group provides plenty of opportunities to meet new friends while experiencing new places. Best of all, the trip is planned by experts who also build in time for self-touring and exploring.
- All-inclusive. These packages offer lodging, food and drinks for one set price. Transportation and on-site activities may also be included. This option helps families budget for the trip.
- Packing. Traveling light helps save money and aggravation. Many airlines and railroads charge fees for checked luggage. Extra baggage takes up precious room in a car, van or SUV. It can be unwieldy to lug multiple bags in and out of hotels. Take only what you need. For longer stays, it might make more sense to ship your items to the location ahead of time, rather than paying baggage costs or dealing with them in the vehicle.
- Credit cards. They have made paying for everyday expenses a breeze. They are accepted nearly everywhere. Before heading out, though, contact the bank and update them as to the locations of the trip so out-of-town charges aren’t considered suspicious. Consider taking some cash as well, or, if traveling abroad, traveler’s checks.
- Travel insurance. Don’t go without it. This coverage is designed to reimburse travelers for losses incurred on the trip for everything from missed airline flights to illness.
The bottom line is your members are vacationing again – and in earnest. We’ll work with you to create a travel insurance package that will give them peace of mind.