With pandemic restrictions lifting around the world, many people are itching to start travelling again.
Travelling, however, looks different than it has in the past.
Adam Taylor knows all about this. Based in Bedford, N.S., Taylor is the independent owner of Independent by Flight Centre that looks after both business and leisure travel.
He’s seen an uptick in travel, and this summer has brought a ton of domestic travel, particularly for families travelling to visit those they’ve waited to see over the pandemic.
Aside from domestic travel, the top five destinations he’s sold in the last few months have been Los Angeles, Paris, Vegas, Orlando, and Cancun.
“Travel numbers have been increasing month-on-month, without a doubt,” says Taylor. “I am currently at a position of pre-pandemic sales.”
Read more
Changes
There are some important things people need to be aware of about post-pandemic travel, says Taylor.
For starters, prices are higher than before the pandemic. Primarily, this is because there are more people travelling at once and there are not enough seats to accommodate the demand.
Wait times at some major airports are long and exhausting, while some East Coast airports, like Halifax, are not as busy and the queue for security is quick and painless.
Cancellations have been at an all-time high as airlines are having difficulty with staffing shortages. That’s where having a travel agent to work with will really help when travelling these days. Wait times to get through to an airline on a consumer line can exceed three to four hours, he cautions.
“My biggest tip for travel,” says Taylor, “is not to wait for a last-minute deal.”
Adam Taylor, a travel agent from Nova Scotia, is pictured during a trip to New Zealand pre-pandemic. – Contributed
With the increase in demand, if you don’t book early, you’re running the risk of not getting the vacation you want or paying more in the end, he says.
Taylor also advises packing essentials in carry-on luggage. Or, better yet, if you can get through a vacation with only a carry-on, you’re one step ahead on your journey these days. Staff shortages are causing major issues with luggage in Canada’s major airports and many travellers are arriving at airports without their luggage.
“If you need to take a checked bag, make sure you have a carry-on with your essentials,” says Taylor.
COVID
COVID restrictions, mask and vaccination requirements can vary by country and can change quickly.
Masks are still mandatory in Canadian airports and on board Canadian aircrafts, says Taylor.
Proof of vaccination, or proof of a negative COVID test, is only required for some countries. Checking in advance is important.
“Things are more relaxed now than ever in the pandemic; however, that can change at anytime based on government request,” says Taylor.
– Reuters
Regulations and restrictions have come a long way, he adds, but there is still plenty of paperwork that must be done to enter some countries for a vacation.
“Arrival in many countries requires advance information to be submitted that most clients expect to complete on the flight,” Taylor says.
In most cases, there are websites designed to reduce paperwork and lineups at customs. Travel agents can also do this for you so travellers can arrive prepared and take less time than someone rushing to fill in this information in a lineup before being called to a customs representative.
Low cost not always best choice
He also points out that going for the low-cost option isn’t always the best.
“We all know there are more airlines doing business; some, however, are low-cost carriers that have great on-board service but cause an issue when a customer needs help before departure,” explains Taylor.
– SaltWire Network
Calling airlines can take a minimum of two hours. These days, that wait time is double at peak times of the day, he adds. Having an agent on your side allows you the freedom to not be held up on the phone with airlines for hours.
Some of Taylor’s clients recently had their flight to Paris cancelled. They would have been delayed by a day or more if he hadn’t acted quickly and had the airline approve a rebooking on an alternative carrier.
In the end, they got a connection and arrived at their destination earlier than anticipated.
“If they would have booked on their own, they would have waited hours on the phone to get through or waited for the airline to give an alternative option that would probably have been unacceptable to them,” he says.
Luggage is pictured in the Montreal airport. It’s advised to pack any important items in carry-on luggage, or try to avoid checked luggage if possible. – Laura Churchill Duke
Ongoing issues
Taylor says there is no certainty as to when travel will even out.
With the cancellation of routes and steps airlines will be taking over the next three months, things should improve; however, it’s unclear if travel will be back to “pre-pandemic normal” in the next six to 12 months, he says.
Until then, Taylor urges travellers to have patience with airport staff.
“Our industry is not what it once was, and we all know it,” he says.
“Representatives at the airport don’t look forward to telling passengers their plans are cancelled or pushed for a few days. They want to see you board a flight and get to your vacation.”
Instead, when your plans get cancelled or adjusted, have a conversation or call your agent to see if there is an alternative.
