If you are wondering if it will ever be safe to travel again, the answer is yes.  Once a cure or treatment for Covid-19 is found, travel can and should be similar to what it was before. It will likely be different with the addition of health checks and probably less crowded seating on flights.  Also, by following personal hygiene procedures, travel should be safer for everyone.

As far as booking travel for clients, I have had a mix of reactions.  Some clients are already rebooking their cancelled travel. Others are waiting to see how things progress as we start opening the economy again.  With the cruise clients I have rebooked, the ships are pretty full and finding cabins was somewhat difficult.  So that tells me people are definitely booking future travel.

Another reaction is that people are waiting for “all the great deals that will be coming out”.  I honestly do not believe that is going to happen.  The only deals I have seen are for people that had trips cancelled and the companies want them to rebook future travel.  I believe the extra costs that will be imposed on the travel industry for cleaning and social distancing will make it impossible for companies to provide “great deals”. If anything, costs will likely go up.

So, when should you start booking your travel?  I honestly think the sooner you do the better.  I wouldn’t book something for next month but planning a trip several months from now will likely be fine.  If any health concerns arise again, I believe the travel industry has demonstrated that they can be reasonable and work with concerned clients by allowing late cancellations, refunds and incentives for rescheduling their vacations.