Hi there,

For those thinking about traveling abroad safely and wondering where they can go during the coronavirus pandemic, things evolve intermittently and very much depend on your home country and the destination.

Travel within continents is discouraged or restricted; transcontinental travel for tourism purposes is very difficult or totally restricted.

Domestic travel with an emphasis on road tripping is sometimes possible. But once you bring longer flights and international destinations into the travel equation, things get a lot more complicated.

What is the outlook for 2021? Keep reading. 

Every country is dealing with its own Covid-19 crises but international diplomacy and the scientific world at large are not standing still. It’s an evolving scenario and in the right direction. Here’s an example: countries used to deny entrance or require quarantine for people crossing borders even when coming back from abroad. Now, many countries allow entrance with a negative Covid test, usually taken up to 72 hrs prior or right at the airport. Covid passports in the form of smartphone apps have also been deployed.

What about Americans to Italy? Too soon to go, but not to plan.

Italy is indicated as of January 11th as Level 3 out of 4 in the travel alert scale of the State Department.

On the other hand, US citizens are not permitted to enter:

Non-essential travel (i.e., tourism) to Italy from most non-EU countries (including the United States) is prohibited. Essential travel is allowed and includes students, businesspersons, EU residents, and relatives of Italian citizens.

I’ll spare you the numbers but Italy and Europe are also struggling and have put  soft and hard lockdowns back in place.

This is the situation as we enter 2021. But more and more we see people planning and some are ready to book.

Can Vaccines Bend COVID-19?

Of course, the biggest news is that inoculation campaigns have started. Europe decided to start altogether on December 27^th, V-day as they called it. Experts are saying that vaccinations alone will not be enough to exit the pandemic within 6-12 months. Behavioral prevention will need to carry on.

The Travel Outlook for North Americans

Travel has slowed down a lot but has not stopped. When possible, people took some summer vacations and that felt nice. Tourissimo operated some tours for Europeans. However, when it comes to North Americans traveling to Europe this is what emerges:

• The assurance that prevention measures and protocols by the travel company, airlines, and hotels will be in place is not enough;
• A more flexible cancellation policy and refundable airline tickets don’t generate new business;
• Vaccination - for now - might not restore enough confidence to travel.

Surveys show that all of those elements are important or very important, but not decisive.

The biggest obstacle will be attitude. I say it again, I expect a strong rebound in adventure and active travel, but lifting of border blocks and the vaccine will not be enough. Travelers will have to adjust and elevate their level of risk. We’ve done it before, every time terrorism has struck.

On the positive side, the clear signal is that there’s a strong desire and need to travel and that Italy is top of mind.

We (travel companies) are adjusting, and travelers will adjust and rationalize risk vs benefit scenarios. Of course, I see small group active travel very well-positioned to capture the first wave of re-travelers. Experts say that we will feel more confident in “bubble groups,” situations with everyone testing negative at the beginning. That’s a reasonable and understandable scenario. Pushing that approach to travel even further, a family could find a “vacation bubble” such as Casa Tourissimo – villa-based vacations for private groups – the perfect opportunity.

Things Insiders Know but Most Might Not

We’ll have a supply and demand challenge

We expect that at some point in 2021 (most likely when a good amount of people have been vaccinated) things will pick up and services supply will have a hard time to meet some demand. How is that possible? Simple, we are going to squeeze two tour seasons into one (or half of one), perhaps not being able to provide some services at full capacity - as many people postponed their 2020 travel plans to 2021. The supply and demand sides of the travel industry recognize the need to work together and in creative and new ways.

More will rely on organized travel

More people are likely to use tour operators and travel agents rather than self-organize and travel independently; although, travel professionals are going to be scrutinized in a way they have not seen before. Tourissimo had a Covid prevention crush test at the international MTB race that Beppe organizes.

Longer season and same or better experience

We rely on historical data and established patterns, and we know that June and September are the peak months for group biking and hiking tours in Europe. Marketing and management tactics have recognized that, but that is no longer adequate; that was the old world. For 2021 we aim at spreading out the tour season towards November and even December (Christmas markets and Glühwein in Sud Tirol, anyone?)

Southern Italy and Mediterranean tours could offer fewer crowds and very nice weather into the fall. Today's temperature in Sicily is 75 F. The Instagram profiles of our guides in Sardinia and Sicily speak for themselves: they were at the beach wearing t-shirts the other day! 

Massimo in Sardinia!

We are aware that full international travel will be the last to return but we now have rapid tests and vaccines as allies.

Tourissimo is also hyper focused on clear communication and flexibility.

We’ve been using our knowledge and creative side to design new itineraries and are having fun with the wine club. We are optimistic and patient and very much open for 2021 business.

The silver lining

As people have had more time to assess their values, we will see a change in how they invest their time and money. In that sense, vacations that offer meaningful experiences are very well-positioned in what’s on the other side of Covid-19. We can't wait!

Beppe & Heather

Vinissimo! The Tourissimo Wine Club

Hand-selected Italian wines delivered right to your door. We include detailed tasting notes and live, virtual tastings. https://www.tourissimo.travel/wine-club-2021 

Now taking orders for next shipment.

Andiamo! The Tourissimo Blog

We write about all things Italy, cycling, food & wine and culture. https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog

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