The Future of Travel

Though we still don’t know when we will see the end of the pandemic, one thing remains certain – COVID-19 has rocked the world. Undoubtedly, the Coronavirus pandemic has changed our world as we know it and the effects will be long-term.

With some insight from in-house surveys and data from suppliers, EWA Travel does have some predictions on what we can expect travel to look like in the future.

Wait Times Could be Prolonged
Countries, such as South Korea, that have felt that they have a good handle on their outbreaks have begun to open their borders – with some conditions. South Korea has ordered all persons entering from the US and Europe must isolate themselves for two weeks. Additionally, non-residents of South Korea are sent directly to an isolation ward. This goes for travelers who test negative for COVID-19. To minimize the importation of the virus, countries are implementing border screenings. As you can imagine, wait times at customs could be prolonged.

Cleaner Trips
COVID-19 has brought up much anxiety for frequent travelers. This has left many customers curious about how suppliers will do their part to keep them safe. Travel brands across the board have been very vocal and transparent about their new policies. Recently, we’ve seen several travel suppliers release their Commitment to Cleanliness. From increased cleaning measures to sanitize high-touch areas to new cleaning technologies, we expect to see even more procedures.

For example, Hilton recently has partnered with RB, makers of Lysol and Dettol, and divulged their plan for a cleaner stay for guests.

New Standard Guidelines for Passengers
In order to minimize infection risks during travel, various organizations have prepared new safety guidelines for suppliers and passengers to follow. The International Civil Aviation Organization recently released comprehensive safety guidelines for the industry, breaking down risk-based stages for mitigation measures. While safety protocol to promote social distancing and reducing personal contact have been set in place, we expect most, if not all, guidelines will remain intact in the years to come.

Across the board, we’re seeing suppliers determined to keep their passengers protected. Though there are some caveats in this new travel landscape, traveler’s safety is at the forefront of suppliers’ minds. As organizations move closer to reviving their travel program, they can rest assured that suppliers’ priorities are in line with their organizations’.

EWA Travel is cognizant of the current times we are in and will continue to offer the same level of personalized service to each client. EWA Travel is working diligently with organizations in order to ensure travelers are being as safe as possible. EWA agents are assessing regions around the globe prior to bookings to be able to relay that information to travelers and travel arrangers. Should you require assistance at this time, you can rest assured that our agents are working diligently to ensure you're knowledgeable and are supported throughout the process.