Take A Trip To The Caribbean This Holiday Season
The holiday season is approaching quickly, as noted in a recent USA Today article, many travelers are booking flights and hotel accommodations. So, what is causing this rise? Many in the travel industry believe that there is pent-up demand from customers who want to visit their family and friends or go on vacation.
The next question is, where can travelers go? A recent report from travel insurance comparison site Squaremouth highlighted the most popular destinations for holiday travel this year. Due to COVID-19, this year’s list is different from years past. In past surveys, the top destinations were usually European countries which have since closed their borders and implemented travel restrictions that lead to a significant shift in traveler behavior. Caribbean countries now comprise half of the top ten destinations of American travelers. The Caribbean countries on the list are Turks and Caicos, Bahamas, US Virgin Islands, Jamaica, and Aruba.
As of November 3, 2020, 25, Caribbean countries have reopened their borders to travelers and have implemented COVID-19 travel protocols to protect travelers while visiting. No matter if you’re an adventure traveler and want to explore the rain forest or a leisure traveler who wants to relax on the beach, the Caribbean offers something for everyone. Suppose you are still undecided about where and what activity you would like to try in the Caribbean. Check out the ultimate Caribbean Bucket List to help you make your decision.
One thing every potential traveler should do before considering travel to the Caribbean and making travel arrangements is to review the COVID CTRL website. This website provides an overview of how every country in the world is dealing with COVID-19. You will obtain information on whether or not the government is open to receiving visitors, how the country is doing with containing the virus, what mandatory COVID-19 policies it has implemented, what tourist attractions are open, and the restrictions on shopping and dining options.
We get it; this year has been challenging for everyone. So, if you can, take a trip to the Caribbean and enjoy yourself. Before you book your trip, speak with us to obtain a travel insurance plan that covers COVID-19 and other concerns you may have. Check out our COVID-19 FAQ Page for more information about which Trawick International plans offer coverage for COVID-19.
Founded in 1998, Trawick International is a full-service travel insurance provider specializing in protecting travelers of all types worldwide. We offer various travel insurance plans designed specifically by types of coverage, including comprehensive travel protection insurance, international travel medical insurance, visitor’s insurance, and international student insurance. Our company's mission is to deliver superior travel and medical insurance products that offer the best 24/7 emergency assistance services available. To become a Trawick International partner, call 888-301-9289 or email info@trawickinternational.com.
By
Administrator at 7 Dec 2020
Don’t Let COVID-19 Prevent You From Experiencing New York This Holiday Season
During the beginning of the pandemic, no place was affected more than New York. As the nationwide shutdown went into effect, we all watched as New York struggled to contain the COVID-19 virus. To battle the virus, New York implemented a travel advisory that limited travel to New York unless you were an essential worker and required anyone who traveled to New York to quarantine for 14 days.
On October 31, 2020, Governor Cuomo implemented new travel guidelines for visitors to New York. The new policy requires travelers must have tested negative for the virus within three days of their arrival to New York and have proof of the test. Then, once they've arrived, travelers must quarantine for three days. On the fourth day, travelers must get tested for the virus again. If the test on the fourth day is negative, travelers are free to enjoy their stay in New York. If it's positive, travelers must quarantine for 14 days.
The Governor's new travel policy is a massive development for the New York holiday season. Yes, this holiday season will be different. The Rockettes will not be performing this year and Broadway has gone dark. But no place is more magical during the holidays than New York. Everywhere you turn, you’ll find twinkling lights and elaborate decorations. New York has all the outdoor winter activities you crave, including ice-skating under the stars.
To ensure that you can visit New York this holiday season, we at Trawick International want everyone to have the best possible holiday experience. That is why we highly recommend travelers purchase trip interruption, trip delay, and travel medical insurance policies. Trip Interruption provides reimbursement for unused, non-refundable insured trip costs if the trip is interrupted due to your becoming sick with COVID-19. Trip interruption insurance will cover the cost of your lodging if you contract COVID-19 and have to quarantine for an additional 14 days in New York. Travel Medical coverage will cover your medical expenses on your trip if you become infected with COVID-19 and need treatment after traveling to New York.
Please note that not all travel insurance policies cover COVID-19. Please make sure the policy you purchase does. Check out our COVID-19 FAQ Page for more information about how Trawick International travel insurance covers COVID-19.
Founded in 1998, Trawick International is a full-service travel insurance provider specializing in protecting travelers of all types worldwide. We offer various travel insurance plans designed specifically by types of coverage, including comprehensive travel protection insurance, international travel medical insurance, visitor’s insurance, and international student insurance. Our company's mission is to deliver superior travel and medical insurance products that offer the best 24/7 emergency assistance services available. To become a Trawick International partner, call 888-301-9289 or email info@trawickinternational.com.
By
Administrator at 3 Dec 2020
Here Are A Few Tips To Help You Travel Safely During Thanksgiving
With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, many people across the country will be traveling to visit their friends and families; it will just be different than years passed. A recent Fox News article reported some fascinating trends for travel this Thanksgiving. Half of Americans polled – 56% – intend to leave home for the holiday amid the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19. Of those, 75% said they plan to drive to their destination. In another tweak to tradition, 22% said they'll stay in a hotel or vacation rental to socially distance themselves from loved ones. According to the data, Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 26) is expected to be the busiest departure day, as 26% of travelers venture out. The busiest return date is predicted to be Nov. 27 (aka Black Friday), as 31% of travelers head back home.
To prepare for traveling this Thanksgiving holiday, here is an excellent article from ABC 7 in San Francisco that highlights seven tips to help you travel this Thanksgiving holiday season safely. Here are their tips with some additional information from Trawick International:
Tip 1: Get a COVID-19 test
To provide you with peace of mind and put your family at ease. You should consider getting a COVID-19 test before traveling anywhere this Thanksgiving. You can visit your state or local health department's website to look for the latest local information on where COVID-19 testing is being offered.
Tip 2: Travel with safety gear
Before you embark on your travels, you should put together a small travel medical kit with gloves, hand sanitizer, and masks. Your kit should have also include bandages, first-aid ointment, hydrocortisone, and pain relievers.
Tip 3: If driving, make a plan
If you are driving, make sure that you plan to stop in advance to prepare yourself and your family to be exposed to different surroundings. For example, make sure you know what restaurant you will stop out and where you will be going to the bathroom.
Tip 4: If flying, make sure to know about all the requirements you will need to travel
Be prepared to encounter some crowds at airports. You might want to consider printing your baggage tag, if that option is available, to keep your experience as contact-free as possible. Remember, you will likely not have meals on your flight. Most airlines will require you to keep masks on at all times.
Tip 5: Know the rules
Each state, county, and municipalities have different rules for dealing with the pandemic. Make sure that you know what to expect. For example, the regulations in Florida are very different than the rules in New York.
Tip 6: Take advantage of the upside of travel
This year will different and sometimes that is a good thing. Take advantage of the opportunity to visit a destination you would have stayed away from because of holiday crowds. Just make sure to protect yourself and your family.
Tip 7: Have a good attitude
Thank your taxi driver, the airport workers, the flight attendant, the waiters, and everyone you encounter on your travels. Just having the right attitude could go a long way and help make a difficult situation better.
One last thing before you start your holiday travels, make sure you reach out to Trawick International to obtain a customized travel insurance plan that meets your needs!
By
Administrator at 22 Nov 2020
How COVID-19 Will Affect Air Travel This Thanksgiving
Like much of 2020, Thanksgiving travel will be heavily affected by COVID-19. As noted from a press release by AAA, more than 55 million travelers took a trip of 50 miles or more away from home for Thanksgiving in 2019. Last year was the second-highest Thanksgiving travel volume since AAA began tracking in 2000, trailing only the record set in 2005. Unfortunately, this year we will not see the same amount of travelers due to COVID-19. It is expected that we will see a significant decline in airline travel.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported that they saw a record-breaking number of travelers during the Thanksgiving holiday in 2019, screening more than 26 million passengers and crew members during the holiday travel period, from Friday, Nov. 22 to Monday, Dec. 2. On the busiest day, Dec. 1, more than 2.8 million travelers passed through TSA security checkpoints nationwide. With 2,870,764 travelers screened, it marked the most active day ever in the 18-year history of the agency.
Even though the airline industry is bracing for a much smaller turnout this year, they are offering more flights in November than October to meet the expected need of Thanksgiving travelers. As noted in a recent Business Insider article, Delta was the first of the big three US airlines to adjust its November schedule. The airline has scheduled 93,233 domestic flights, about 5,400 more than it will fly in October, but down from 139,771 in November 2019.
So what should we expect this Thanksgiving holiday? USA Today article states prices will be lower for the most part. The steepest declines are for air travel. The average price of nonstop round-trip flight tickets is down more than 30% for both Thanksgiving weekend compared to 2019. Hotel rates are down 10% for Thanksgiving weekend.
If you are considering traveling for Thanksgiving this year, please make sure to be prepared for a very different experience than last year. Be prepared for enhanced health screenings at the airport and hotels. Make sure to pre-plan your arrangements for holiday activities and events as they may be affected by the ongoing pandemic.
Trawick International wants everyone to have the best possible Thanksgiving experience they can have. That is why we highly recommend travelers purchase a travel cancellation insurance policy that covers COVID-19 related losses. For more information about how Trawick International travel insurance covers COVID-19, check out our COVID-19 FAQ Page.
By
Administrator at 29 Oct 2020
How COVID-19 Will Impact Holiday Travel
Just like most of 2020, the holiday travel season will be disrupted by COVID-19. In years past, holiday travel is one of the busiest times of the year, with millions of people traveling via planes, trains, buses, and cars to see their loved ones. This year many people are unsure if they will travel for the holiday season because of COVID-19.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that travel increases your chance of getting and spreading the COVID-19 virus. So if you are looking to travel this holiday season, you need to take enhanced precautions before traveling. A recent Washington Post article provides some useful tips to take before traveling this holiday season. Below are some of the best travel tips from the article:
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If you’re traveling with children, be aware of the latest CDC guidelines and travel company policies. The CDC recommends masks for children two years of age and older. The mask policies of major airlines follow this guidance, and recent incidents of children and their parents being removed from planes have illustrated how strictly they are being enforced.
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If you’re getting behind the wheel for your trip, pack with the pandemic in mind. Stock your vehicle with face masks, disinfecting wipes, and hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Don’t rely on picking up supplies during the trip since there is no guarantee they will be in stock wherever you’re headed or passing through.
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Airbnb responded to the pandemic by launching an Enhanced Cleaning Initiative for hosts, including new cleaning and sanitizing protocols. To earn an “Enhanced Clean” certification, hosts must follow a detailed five-step cleaning process, including providing guests with cleaning supplies. Look for the “Enhanced Clean” highlight on listings when deciding on a rental. There are individual sanitation steps you can take as well. Nasia Safdar, the medical director of infection control at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, recommends wiping down surfaces with disinfecting wipes. Consider cleaning the other items you have brought with you into the rental, too, such as phones, computers, and luggage.
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If you’re flying with luggage during the pandemic, health experts recommend carrying on instead of checking a bag. Not only are you able to better control who touches the bag, but you will bypass potentially crowded luggage carousels.
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Coronavirus tests are at the top of pre-trip checklists these days, and they’re an advisable step toward traveling as safely as possible during the holidays. Two kinds of tests exist to look for active infections. There are various places offering coronavirus testing, including urgent care centers, travel clinics, fire stations, pop-up sites, pharmacies, and most hospitals.
We at Trawick International want everyone to have the best possible holiday experience they can have, because frankly, after this year, we all deserve it. That is why we highly recommend travelers purchase a travel cancellation insurance policy that covers COVID-19 related losses. Please note that not all travel cancellation insurance policies cover COVID-19. Please make sure the policy you purchase does. Check out our COVID-19 FAQ Page for more information about how Trawick International travel insurance covers COVID-19.
By
Administrator at 19 Oct 2020
