20+ Tips For Holiday Travel During COVID-19

How to Travel During the Holidays this Year – Tips From CMC Events & Travel

Is it safe to travel now? Visit cdc.gov to read their latest guidelines regarding Tavel during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Let’s be real – coordinating flights, booking hotel rooms and scheduling activities for your post-wedding getaway is the last thing you need on your plate in the middle of wedding planning. Which is why we are thrilled that travel planning is making a comeback as an affordable luxury experience. NC-based leisure travel planner Cara Cartee of CMC Events & Travel has a whopping twenty years of travel planning experience – and with that comes expert travel tips and insider connections.

Let’s put it this way, Cara’s clients receive exclusive perks, upgrades and money savings! Her passion is rooted in creating unforgettable memories, both in her own life and for others. The hotels and excursions Cara recommends are ones that she has explored.  So whether you need help planning a destination wedding, bachelorette party, honeymoon or holiday vacation – let Cara take the lead. 

Worried about traveling during the holidays this year? Here are a few of Cara’s top travel tips. 

CMC Travel and Events Planner Wearing Face Mask on Airplain How to Travel During the Holidays
CARA CARTEE & MOM CMC Events & Travel

20+ Tips For Travel During a Pandemic 

  • Prepare – Regardless of how and where you travel, prepare a PPE kit for each individual in your travel party. Be sure to include: extra masks, hand sanitizer and wipes.
  • Planes – Choose an airline cordoning off middle seats and wear a mask for the duration of your flight, except while eating and drinking. Wipe down all surfaces.
Consider packing a carry on to avoid busy baggage claim areas, and lower the number of people handling your bag. When traveling with food/beverage, make sure it is air tight
  • Trains – Choose seats farthest away from other people and again, wipe down all surfaces. Taking an overnight journey? Consider getting an overnight cabin for your trip.
Amtrak has made adjustments to its operations, including allowing customers to see how full trains will be on a specific journey, limiting passenger booking and amplifying their cleaning procedures.
  • Automobiles – Travel by car poses fewer risks than public transportation. If you’re worried about exposing elderly travelers to disease, encourage them to travel by car.
COVID-19 TRAVEL KIT CMC Events & Travel
  • Hotels – In light of the pandemic, big hotel brands have rolled out heightened safety protocols. Reassure skittish travelers with options such as online check-in and digital room keys.
  • Housekeeping – Many hotels are not offering traditional housekeeping; while they will bring you towels and linens, they will not enter your room for cleaning. If the hotel does allow cleaning, it will need to be done with your permission.
  • During Your Stay – In your room, clean all common touch points with sanitizer (70% strength): remote control, phone, clock, door knobs/handles, locks, light switches and hotel brochures.
This month, Hilton Worldwide launched its “CleanStay” program, with contact-less check-ins and more rigorous cleaning practices based on advice from the Mayo Clinic. And Marriott International convened its “Cleanliness Council,” to help overhaul its standard housekeeping practices. The American Hotel Lodging Association (AHLA) also issued enhanced cleaning and safety guidelines to its more than 27,000 members.
Walking Around Kennebunkport How to Travel During the Holidays
TRAVEL PLANNER CMC Events & Travel

AirBNB – whether rental is available varies from state to state. Check to see if your AirBNB’s host has an “Enhanced Clean” certification. Wipe down common surfaces.

BONUS TIP – Get tested for COVID-19! Many airports now offer testing and rapid testing is becoming more popular nationwide. If you are traveling with people outside of your household, consider creating a bubble prior to the trip.

When in doubt, contact a travel planner for more advice! One of the biggest challenges you will face is navigating the ever-changing guidelines in all 50 states.

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