This summer managed to break several records on the heat index, which only reinforces the need to take into account the environment when you’re traveling. After all, tourism accounts for about five percent of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions per the UN’s World Tourism Organization. On top of that, the number of travelers continues to grow. In just the first four months of the year, nearly 350 million people took an international trip, an increase of more than five percent compared to 2015.
Traveling “greener” doesn’t necessarily mean staying at an eco-lodge or visiting a rainforest, it’s more about taking into account where you’re off to and why. You can begin by choosing to rent an electric vehicle during your next trip or staying at a hotel that’s LEED certified, which means it’s designed for optimal sustainability.
The bulk of the travel and tourism industry's carbon footprint is made up of transportation. Choosing the most environmentally friendly method of getting around will depend on where you’re going, but you can take the time to evaluate your options. Would you be willing to take a train instead of a plane? Why not consider using public transportation to get to the airport?
There are simple things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint. If you’re okay with it, hang the “Do Not Disturb” sign on your hotel room door a day or two so that the staff doesn’t clean your room every single day, using up excessive energy. Simple steps like turning off the lights or the television when you leave the hotel room may seem small, but they do play a role in becoming more environmentally conscious the next time you travel.
This update is provided by travel insurance provider Trawick International. Some of our travel insurance plans include international and domestic inbound and outbound travel insurance, missionary travel insurance, trip protection and cancellation, visitor insurance, and Schengen Visa. Call 877-233-4591 for more information.
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Administrator at 21 Sep 2016
You’ve decided to take a trip to a city that you’ve heard a lot about but is entirely unfamiliar to you. Where do you begin? Your smartphone can be hugely beneficial in helping you develop an itinerary and find amazing spots around town. Let’s explore some apps that can help you explore the city.
The best way to learn more about a city’s best-kept secrets is to ask the locals, and that’s precisely the idea behind Spotted by Locals. Using suggestions hand-picked by locals familiar with the city’s best spots, there are guides for more than 60 cities around the world.
Speaking of locals, Meetup has been around for years. It is essentially one giant listing of local groups and events that are happening around the city which cover a number of different interests. Find something that grabs your attention and you can add yourself to the group. This is a great way to meet new people while also participating in something you’re genuinely excited about doing.
For an all-inclusive city travel guide, check out Musement which covers more than 300 destinations in the world using “tailored content” and essentially functions as a pocket travel guide showcasing the best bars, restaurants, attractions, and even local concerts that may be happening soon.
This update is provided by travel insurance provider Trawick International. Some of our travel insurance plans include international and domestic inbound and outbound travel insurance, missionary travel insurance, trip protection and cancellation, visitor insurance, and Schengen Visa. Call 877-233-4591 for more information.
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Administrator at 19 Sep 2016
Traveling alone is obviously not as safe as being in a group of family or friends, but a quick Google search will reveal that there are many benefits to going solo. You’ll meet new friends, your itinerary is entirely your decision, you’ll spend less money, the benefits are many but you’ll also need to take into account your security.
The easiest and perhaps most essential method of adding a layer of security when traveling alone is to remain connected with friends and family. With social media, it’s easy to check in and post a status update of your whereabouts, letting your family know you’re alright. Plus, many smartphones such as the iPhone have built-in features that allow it to track your location and share it with trusted friends and family so that they always know exactly where you are.
Prior to traveling to a certain part of the world, make sure to properly research where you’re going. You’ll find plenty of travel guides online that can tell you what places should be avoided, the customs and tips to follow so that you’re prepared.
When traveling alone, ensure that your documents are kept safe. Your personal identification, passport, credit cards, all of these should be kept in a safe spot. In fact, you may wish to make copies of some of these documents just in case of an unforeseen emergency.
This update is provided by travel insurance provider Trawick International. Some of our travel insurance plans include international and domestic inbound and outbound travel insurance, missionary travel insurance, trip protection and cancellation, visitor insurance, and Schengen Visa. Call 877-233-4591 for more information.
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Administrator at 16 Sep 2016
This Labor Day weekend marks the end of summer and the beginning of the fall season when many Americans will be heading off to take advantage of the cooler temperatures and explore some new domestic and international sights. Where are they headed?
According to a leading travel insurance comparison website, Cuba has seen a dramatic 149% increase in Americans insuring flights, just in time for the various commercial flights that will soon be jetting off to the Caribbean nation. You can read more about that in our previous blog.
Spain usurped France as the number three international travel destination with just over 70% of travelers insuring fall trips. South Africa also saw an 80% increase, representing the largest amount of growth among the top twenty international destinations.
With all of the travel activity this upcoming fall season, this begs the question: what are travelers concerned about? Over 120% more customers are specifically searching for policies that provide terrorism coverage, and perhaps more unusually, more than 60% of them are seeking hurricane coverage.
As for how much Americans will be spending on travel this season, it’s estimated to be about $2,836 per person, with the average total cost of a trip averaging about $8,040. This number represents an increase of close to 6% compared to fall of 2015.
This update is provided by travel insurance provider Trawick International. Some of our travel insurance plans include international and domestic inbound and outbound travel insurance, missionary travel insurance, trip protection and cancellation,, and Schengen Visa. Call 877-233-4591 for more information.
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Administrator at 2 Sep 2016
JetBlue will be jetting off on its first official commercial flight to Cuba this week, becoming the first American airline to launch commercial flights to the Caribbean island nation in over five decades. The airline has already been sending planes on charter flights from New York since President Obama eased travel restrictions that had remained in place since the Cold War.
American Airlines also launched charter flights to Havana late last year, and several other airlines like Delta, Southwest, and Spirit have received tentative approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation to fly to Cuba, albeit with as yet unconfirmed schedules. Because of this, the airlines are not permitted to sell Havana airfare until they have received final government approval.
Jus twenty non-stop flights will be allowed to fly out of the United States to Havana, fourteen of those from major Florida cities like Tampa, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Orlando. The remaining six flights will connect the capital city of Cuba with the following cities: Houston, Charlotte, Atlanta, Newark, Los Angeles, and New York.
Six different airlines will launch weekly flights to other cities in Cuba during the next few months, collectively making for more than 150 weekly flights. If you’re interested in visiting Cuba, there are several entry requirements that must be fulfilled prior to your trip, which you can read more about through the U.S. embassy in Havana website.
This update is provided by travel insurance provider Trawick International. Some of our travel insurance plans include international and domestic inbound and outbound travel insurance, missionary travel insurance, trip protection and cancellation, visitor insurance, and Schengen Visa. Call 877-233-4591 for more information.
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Administrator at 31 Aug 2016
