Highbrow Magazine - vacation https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/vacation en Are Airlines or Hotels Greenwashing? https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/20087-are-airlines-or-hotels-greenwashing <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/travel" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Travel</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Fri, 07/22/2022 - 16:17</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/2hotel_tiyana-pixabay.jpg?itok=3HUVIFav"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/2hotel_tiyana-pixabay.jpg?itok=3HUVIFav" width="480" height="320" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Is the travel industry serious about protecting the environment? Or is it just hyping negligible environmental efforts — otherwise known as greenwashing — to make a quick buck off your next vacation?</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Y. Murat Ozguc has started to wonder. As the owner of Travel Atelier, a Turkish tour operator, he regularly inspects hotels in Europe that claim to be environmentally friendly. He asks them pointed questions about how they’re protecting the planet.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">The answers he gets are disappointing. Hotel managers will wave at a lone solar panel on the roof or mention a recycling program, often mandated by local authorities, he says. “If even that.”</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">As for the cards in the bathroom that urge him to reuse his towels “for the environment,” he says he complies. But the housekeepers often remove his towels anyway.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Greenwashing — when a company says it is environmentally conscious for marketing purposes but isn’t making any notable sustainability efforts — is rampant in the travel industry. Many travel companies relaxed their sustainability efforts during the pandemic, adding sanitizing programs that increased the use of disposable or non-recyclable materials. Even today, everything seems to be wrapped in plastic.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">So how can you tell if a travel company means business?</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">“Greenwashing is not always easy to spot,” says Joshua Zinder, managing partner of JZA+D, which focuses on sustainable design. “We’ve all seen those little cards in the bathrooms in guest rooms suggesting that you may decline to have housekeeping provide clean towels. Who really benefits from this practice? The hotel operator does, of course, since they stand to save on the energy, water and manpower related to laundry. This is a cost-saving strategy with little impact on the environment.”</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/3hotels_david_lee-pixabay.jpg" style="height:454px; width:650px" typeof="foaf:Image" /></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">The problem is that there’s no Good Housekeeping seal of approval for green travel companies. The closest may be LEED certification, which focuses on a building’s energy and environmental design. But experts note that a hotel could be LEED certified and still fall flat when it comes to other environmental initiatives.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">“There are practices that generally signal that a hotel or an airline is more sustainable, or at least earnestly trying to be,” says Ashlee Piper, author of “Give a Sh*t: Do Good. Live Better. Save the Planet.”</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">For hotels, this can mean offering more recycling and composting options. A resort could serve more plant-based and local foods, install environmentally friendly heating and cooling systems, or use alternative energy sources. In bathrooms, water-saving measures such as low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators are telltale signs that a property is serious about helping the environment.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Airlines that offer transparent carbon offset programs are making a legitimate effort to be sustainable. It’s also a positive sign when airlines are experimenting with sustainable fuels.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Don’t trust the stickers on the door that say the hotel or tour operator is environmentally certified.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">“Look at their corporate disclosure documents on their websites,” says Nneoma Njoku, general manager of Labrador U.S., a global corporate disclosure communications firm. “It’s one of the best ways to determine if an organization is environmentally conscious and implements true sustainability efforts.”</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/1tourists_pexels.jpg" style="height:399px; width:600px" typeof="foaf:Image" /></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">For instance, Booking Holdings, which owns Priceline, Kayak, OpenTable and Rentalcars.com, claimed to be carbon-neutral in 2020 and 2021. If you look at its proxy statement, it points readers to a dedicated area of its website that explains sustainability efforts.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Or consider the recent announcement that IHG Hotels &amp; Resorts would work with Unilever to replace mini-toiletries with bulk amenities in more than 4,000 hotels. It’s a key step in the hotel chain’s pledge to eliminate single-use items throughout guests’ stays by 2030, according to the company.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Is it real or greenwashing? The IHG announcement contained several specific and verifiable promises. It noted that Unilever’s brand Dove will begin supplying full-size hand wash and lotions to Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Avid Hotels, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites in certain locations. IHG says switching to full-size bathroom amenities is expected to save at least 850 tons of plastic annually. The company also has a dedicated page for its green initiatives.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">How do you ferret out greenwashing?</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">“The most obvious way that you can see this is through the excessive use of plastic,” says Larry Snider, vice president of operations of Casago Vacation Rentals. “It’s individually wrapped soaps, plastic cups, which are often also wrapped in plastic, and plastic garbage bags.”</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">There’s also corporate culture. Are employees driving their cars to work or riding bikes? Do they talk about sustainability in a meaningful way or just repeat recycled slogans about sustainability? Do they volunteer in their local communities? Those are all ways of determining whether a company is serious about sustainability, experts say.</span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif">Trouble is, most of the time, you don’t know until you’re at your destination. And by then, it’s too late. Experts say it will probably stay that way until the travel industry can develop an enforceable and widely recognized certification program. But time is running out.</span></span></p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/2airplane_blende-pixabay.jpg" style="height:410px; width:650px" typeof="foaf:Image" /></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>Author Bio:</strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong><em>Christopher Elliott is the chief advocacy officer for Elliott Advocacy. Email him at </em><a href="mailto:chris@elliott.org" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline"><em>chris@elliott.org</em></a><em> or get help with any consumer problem by contacting him at </em><a href="http://www.elliott.org/help" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline"><em>http://www.elliott.org/help</em></a><em>. This story originally appeared in the Washington Post. It’s republished here with permission. </em></strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong><em>© 2022 Christopher Elliott.</em></strong></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>Highbrow Magazine</strong></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><strong>Image Sources:</strong></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><em>--Tiyana (<a href="https://pixabay.com/photos/water-outdoors-sky-travel-3292794/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">Pixabay</a>, Creative Commons)</em></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><em>--David Lee (<a href="https://pixabay.com/photos/hotel-room-new-product-door-1330850/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">Pixabay</a>, Creative Commons)</em></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><em>--Blende (<a href="https://pixabay.com/photos/aircraft-sunset-silhouette-clouds-1362586/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">Pixabay</a>, Creative Commons)</em></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><em>--Asad Photo Maldives (<a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-and-woman-walks-on-dock-1268855/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">Pexels</a>, Creative Commons)</em></span></span></p> <p> </p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/greenwashing" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">greenwashing</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/being-green" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">being green</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/carbon-neutral" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">carbon neutral</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/hotels" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">hotels</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/airlines" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">airlines</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/environment-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">the environment</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/climate-change" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">climate change</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/staying-hotels-0" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">staying at hotels</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/sustainable-fuels" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">sustainable fuels</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/carbon-footprint" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">carbon footprint</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/traveling-plane" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">traveling on a plane</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/vacation" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">vacation</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Christopher Elliott</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">In Slider</div></div></div> Fri, 22 Jul 2022 20:17:50 +0000 tara 11218 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/20087-are-airlines-or-hotels-greenwashing#comments Top Trends to Watch This Travel Season https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/12383-top-trends-watch-travel-season <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/travel" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Travel</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Mon, 07/05/2021 - 16:07</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/4travel_brandpoint.jpg?itok=zLYZcot-"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/4travel_brandpoint.jpg?itok=zLYZcot-" width="480" height="270" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p> </p> <p> </p> <p>After a devastating pandemic kept people in their homes for over a year, wanderlust is at an all-time high and more Americans are starting to travel again. In fact, 92 percent of Americans will travel, or already have, in 2021, with more than half (52 percent) going as soon as this summer, according to the Priceline Work-Life Balance report.</p> <p> </p> <p>The report studied how travel has changed and what trends are emerging for the summer peak travel season.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Escapism is top of mind</strong></p> <p>When it comes to air travel, hotel stays and car rentals, Americans are prioritizing warm, tropical and entertainment-focused destinations, such as Hawaii, Las Vegas, Mexico and Orlando. Florida, in particular, is a traveler favorite right now. The Sunshine State dominates the top-10 destinations across all three categories with at least four cities on each list</p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/5travel_brandpoint.jpg" /></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Local exploration matters more than ever</strong></p> <p>When the pandemic took hold, flights came to an almost screeching halt. According to round-trip flight bookings on Priceline, travelers flew four billion miles fewer in 2020 than they did in 2019. Not only did people fly less often, but they also did not travel as far: The average distance dropped by 20 percent in 2020 (1,307 miles), compared with the same period in 2019 (1,654 miles).</p> <p> </p> <p>Instead, Americans are opting to explore locally, with 70 percent of car rentals used for road trips within their own state and driving an average of 184 miles. Likewise, today’s travelers are booking hotel stays within their own states 10 percent more than prior years.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Wallet-friendly stays in the South and West</strong></p> <p>Travel deals are more important than ever. This year, the average hotel stay costs under $125 a night in Las Vegas; the Black Hills, South Dakota; Denver and Orlando, which means you can enjoy a great getaway without blowing your budget.</p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/1grandcanyon_michael_quinn_grand_canyon_np__0.jpg" /></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Package deals enable workcations</strong></p> <p>The blurring of work-life boundaries gave rise to the “bleisure” trip or workcation, a hybrid of business and leisure travel. As flexible work schedules become a long-term possibility for many, these extended leisure-first trips, which incorporate remote work as part of the experience, will continue to drive booking preferences. Because of this, there is is an increased interest in bundled or package trips, which are conveniently booked together and offer savings.</p> <p> </p> <p>As domestic tourism ramps up, expect to see continued preference for beach getaways and entertainment, alongside an ongoing appreciation for the local surroundings and an increased willingness to blend vacations with work.</p> <p> </p> <p><em><strong>For the complete list of trends and details on how Americans are traveling today, visit <a href="https://press.priceline.com/">press.priceline.com</a>.</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong> </strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>This article is provided by <a href="https://www.brandpointcontent.com/article/37793/4-top-trends-to-watch-as-peak-travel-season-arrives">Brandpoint</a>. It’s published here with permission.</strong></em></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Highbrow Magazine</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><strong>Image Sources:</strong></strong></p> <p> </p> <p><em>--Brandpoint</em></p> <p><em>--Michael Quinn (<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/grand_canyon_nps/5446222759">National Park Service</a>, Creative Commons)</em></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/travel/archive" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">travel</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/travel-trends" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">travel trends</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/florida" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Florida</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/las-vegas" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">las vegas</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/airlines" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">airlines</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/summer-travel" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">summer travel</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tourists" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">tourists</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/hawaii" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">hawaii</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/vacation" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">vacation</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">BPT</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Out Slider</div></div></div> Mon, 05 Jul 2021 20:07:46 +0000 tara 10488 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/12383-top-trends-watch-travel-season#comments How to Rescue Your Vacation From the Coronavirus https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/10471-how-rescue-your-vacation-coronavirus <div class="field field-name-field-cat field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/travel" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">Travel</a></div></div></div><span class="submitted-by">Submitted by tara on Wed, 03/25/2020 - 20:18</span><div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/1london.jpg?itok=R2K21LjJ"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/1london.jpg?itok=R2K21LjJ" width="480" height="256" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p> </p> <p>Howard Clauser had big plans to visit the Galápagos Islands this week. But then the coronavirus outbreak happened, and he needed a vacation rescue.</p> <p> </p> <p>"The tour operator canceled my trip," says Clauser, a retired English teacher from Chicago. "I didn't know what to do."</p> <p> </p> <p>How to save his hard-earned vacation? That's a common question as travel bans go into effect and flights, cruises and hotel reservations get canceled. Whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, the answer depends on where you are and, more importantly, who you are.</p> <p> </p> <p>"Travelers <em>can</em> salvage their vacations," says Freddie Julius, chief executive of<a href="https://www.touristengland.com/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline"> Tourist England</a>, a site about travel to the U.K. </p> <p> </p> <p>It's a matter of finding an alternative place away from all the crowds. Some travelers are changing their plans, while others are sticking to their schedule but modifying their itinerary to avoid large gatherings. And while it may make sense for you to stay home, the coronavirus crisis doesn't mean you have to give up your vacation.</p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/1frenchrivera.jpg" style="height:312px; width:600px" /></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>How to save your vacation</strong></p> <p> </p> <p>Clauser didn't go home. He'd already flown from Chicago to Quito, Ecuador, a few days before his tour. Although he was sad to miss a special place like the Galápagos, he decided to hang out in Ecuador's capital until his return to the States.</p> <p> </p> <p>"I'm spending a few extra days in Quito. I'll finish visiting the sites I missed and maybe take a few more Spanish classes," he says. "Although Quito closed all of its public schools indefinitely this afternoon, I don't sense the same level of anxiety here that there is in Chicago. So I'm not rushing to get back."</p> <p> </p> <p>Julius, who runs the U.K. tourism site, says choosing an alternate destination is a great vacation rescue plan. </p> <p> </p> <p>"For example, while visitors to London would normally head to tourist hotspots like Windsor Castle or the British Museum, there are many wonderful alternatives that don't get the attention they deserve," he says. "Museums such as the Wallace Collection or Sir John Soane's Museum have fabulous artwork on display, but with a fraction of the visitor numbers."</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Making a detour to save your trip</strong></p> <p> </p> <p>When it comes to vacation detours, perhaps the biggest trend is escaping the crowds.<a href="https://getaway.house/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline"> Getaway</a>, a company that specializes in renting tiny cabins in remote areas, saw a 400 percent spike in bookings after the presidential address last Wednesday. </p> <p> </p> <p>"It is possible people are looking for alternative road trip ideas that don’t require much -- if any -- interaction with people," says Jon Staff, Getaway's CEO.</p> <p> </p> <p>That's a common thread with most of the vacation rescues I've seen in the last few weeks. Some are detouring, like Clauser. Others are going anyway, but taking steps to avoid the crowds. </p> <p> </p> <p>Jacqueline Lambert and her husband were just about to wrap up a vacation in Italy when the borders locked down. They decided to stay, renting an apartment in the Aosta Valley in Northern Italy. "We're going to enjoy the weather and beautiful scenery, which we have all to ourselves," says Lambert, a guide book author. </p> <p> </p> <p>Others are changing their itineraries before they leave. That's what happened to me last week. I had planned to spend a month in Italy, with stops in Bologna, Venice, Rome and Südtirol. Then the entire country turned into a red zone. </p> <p> </p> <p>After consulting with my three travel companions -- my kids, ages 13, 15 and 17 -- we diverted to Nice, France. I found a roomy Vrbo rental along the Côte d'Azur. True, the cafés and restaurants are closed now, but the beach is still open and the weather is warm. And at least it's not Italy. </p> <p> </p> <p>Saving your vacation is usually a good idea, says Stephen Scott, a luxury travel advisor at<a href="https://www.protravelinc.com/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline"> Protravel International</a>. "My advice is to not cancel your plans, but to push them out to the next best future travel date," he adds. </p> <p> </p> <p>But some people are just scrapping their vacations and detouring back to the safety of their homes. That's the best vacation rescue plan if you're over 80 or have a pre-existing medical condition. Coronavirus mortality rates for older people are significantly higher. What's the point of saving your vacation if you come home in a casket? </p> <p> </p> <p>So if you're in that age group, consider canceling. </p> <p> </p> <p>For the rest of us, don't be afraid to improvise. Find a way to keep your vacation plans by modifying your original schedule or rerouting to a new destination. Avoid large groups of people and you'll probably be fine. You might even save some money.</p> <p> </p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/sites/default/files/1grandcanyon.jpg" style="height:301px; width:600px" /></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>How to do a vacation detour</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Switch from flying to driving. </strong>A number of Americans are turning their vacations into shorter road trips instead of canceling them, says Dorothy Dowling, senior vice president at<a href="https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US.html" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline"> Best Western Hotels &amp; Resorts</a>. "There's no reason for travelers to completely abandon their vacation plans," she adds.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Be creative.</strong> That's the advice of Marinel M. de Jesus, founder of a tour operator called<a href="https://www.peakexplorations.com/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline"> Peak Explorations</a>. "As long as it's legally feasible and safe to do so, I would explore alternative travel ideas for the destination that I originally chose," she says. "Collaborate with local agencies directly for assistance and alternative itineraries.”</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Keep calm and stay safe.</strong> Don't take any unnecessary risks, say experts. "If you must travel, get insurance, listen to health professionals and follow protocol," says Anna Kim, founder of the travel and philanthropy site<a href="http://www.mytravelanthropy.com/" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline"> My Travelanthropy</a>.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Author Bio:</strong></p> <p><strong><em>Christopher Elliott's latest book is “How To Be The World’s Smartest Traveler” (National Geographic). This column originally appeared in </em></strong><strong>USA Today.</strong></p> <p><strong><em> </em></strong><br />  </p> <p><strong><em>© 2020 Christopher Elliott. Published with permission.</em></strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Highbrow Magazine</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Image Sources:</strong></p> <p><em><a href="https://pxhere.com/en/photo/673509" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">PXhere</a> (Creative Commons)</em></p> <p><em>Navin 75 (<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/navin75/15607188493" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">Flickr</a>, Creative Commons)</em></p> <p><em>Michael Quinn, <a href="https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/2011-05-26_mather.htm" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">National Park Service</a> (Creative Commons)</em></p> </div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/coronavirus" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">coronavirus</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/vacation" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">vacation</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/travel/archive" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">travel</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/great-britain" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">great britain</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/grand-canyon" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">grand canyon</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/cote-dazur" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">cote d&#039;azur</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/galapagos" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">galapagos</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/booking-vacation" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">booking a vacation</a></div><div class="field-item even" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/airports" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">airports</a></div><div class="field-item odd" rel="dc:subject"><a href="/tourists" typeof="skos:Concept" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" datatype="">tourists</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-author field-type-text field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Christopher Elliot</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pop field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Popular:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">not popular</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-bot field-type-list-boolean field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Bottom Slider:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Out Slider</div></div></div> Thu, 26 Mar 2020 00:18:19 +0000 tara 9435 at https://www.highbrowmagazine.com https://www.highbrowmagazine.com/10471-how-rescue-your-vacation-coronavirus#comments