There is no denying that 2024 will be a huge year for travel in The Hexagon, with so much going on across the country. Plenty has been said and written about the Paris Summer Olympics (and will be in the coming months), but here we will set that massive event to the side and focus instead on other reasons to visit France this year.

Some of the events could be perfect bookends to a trip to see the Games or serve as inspiration for a completely different adventure.

Making an impression

After the Olympic Games, the second most talked about celebration in France will be the events surrounding the 150th anniversary of Impressionism, with Normandy being the best place outside of Paris to celebrate. The fifth edition of the Normandy Impressionist Festival (March 22- Sept. 22) will take place across the region, and some parts will have an unexpected American influence. In Rouen, look for an exhibit showcasing the works of renowned American artist Whistler, as well as the 12th edition of the sensational summer light and sound show at Rouen Cathedral.

In Paris, the Normandy region will sponsor a spectacular exhibit titled “Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment” at the Musée d’Orsay (March 16 – July 14). The event will feature over 100 masterpieces, including paintings, sculptures, photographs and much more.

Saluting the heroes of summer ’44

The 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings and the ensuing Battle of Normandy will take place on June 6, and the military operation that forever changed history will be honored with pomp and circumstance all over the region. In addition to official observations that will require invitations, there will be fireworks displays over the five landing beaches on June 1, art installations and dozens more events (think parades, parachuting, historical re-enactments and concerts) during the D-Day Festival Normandy (June 1-16).

There will also be events surrounding the 80th anniversary of Operation Dragoon, which was a significant French-American landing that took place in Southern France on Aug. 15, 1944. Expect commemorative events to take place in the region.

The Tour cycles south

No discussion of sports in France would be complete without a mention of the Tour De France (June 29 – July 21), the most iconic bicycle race on the planet. This year, the race will traverse a 2,000-mile-plus loop through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in France. The route changes for each edition of the race, but the mountain stages in the Pyrenees and Alps are a constant, and these regions make for exciting fan experiences. The 2024 race will start in Florence, Italy, before finishing somewhere other than Paris for the first time in a century. Due to the Olympics, the Tour will finish up in the jewel of the Riviera: Nice.

Setting sail

The Vendée Globe, which is another one of the biggest French sporting events this year, will actually start in New York City. On May 24, sailors will gather at the Statue of Liberty for a host of pre-race celebrations before embarking on a grueling 3,200-mile journey across the Atlantic Ocean to France. Then, on Nov. 10, the 10th edition of the Vendée Globe will set sail from the coastal town of Sables d’Olonne in the Vendée region of France. Known as the Everest of Seas, this nonstop solo race will see about 40 skippers navigating the globe, and while you’re not allowed to tag along with them, it will be the perfect excuse to discover the beautiful coastal region of Vendée, which is home to long sweeps of beach and a breathtaking bay.

Flower power

Also in the Vendée region, the Les Floralies de Nantes — one of Europe’s most prestigious international horticultural shows — will take place at the impressive Domaine de La Chabotterie (May 17-26). This 18th century estate sits within 100 acres of meadows and forest, and the festival will showcase the imaginative creations of 200 participants hailing from France and beyond. As a nod to the Summer Olympics, the 2024 edition has been dubbed “Flower Games” and will feature five themed areas: water, childhood, intellectual, physical and garden.

Summer festivals galore

Bordeaux has been bubbling up on travel lists for a while now, and the 2024 edition of the famed Bordeaux Fête le Vin (June 27-30), the premier wine tourism festival in the city, will be the perfect excuse to get to know it better. Set against the backdrop of the Garonne River, the event will offer a delightful experience for wine lovers and curious travelers alike. The party will start early, as from June 20, a host of events will take place in the lead-up to the festival at the city’s renowned wine cellars, restaurants and cultural venues.

You’ll be surrounded by tunes all over the country on June 21 as the Fête de la Musique will see musicians of all levels (both amateur and professional) take to the streets across France to show off their skills. You’ll be able to experience a wide range of musical genres (and talent) as everything from rock groups to choirs and orchestras strut their stuff.

Every other year, the coastal town of Dieppe hosts one of the most colorful kite festivals in the world, and in 2024, the Dieppe International Kite Festival is back and better than ever. More than just a gathering of kite lovers, this festival celebrates global unity, highlighting the rich diversity of people and cultures on the planet. Expect the sky above the beach in Dieppe to be splashed with a kaleidoscope of colors and shapes and for you to leave feeling a little better about the state of the world.

Ending the year in style

The end of the year will see numerous reasons to visit France.

Montmartre — arguably the most atmospheric neighborhood in Paris — will bubble over with fun once again during the annual Montmartre Wine Festival (Oct. 9-13). This event celebrates the neighborhood and its winemaking tradition.

In Lyon, the Festival of Light (Dec. 5-8) will adorn the city with a dazzling display of bulbs that help illuminate the dark early winter nights and launch thousands of social media stories. From the special “light tunnels” to the experience of seeing the city’s fine architecture bathed in light, it’s an event you won’t soon forget.

While holiday festivities take place all over the nation, the Alsace region is arguably the capital of Christmas Markets as charming small towns like Riquewihr and Eguisheim shine bright in addition to the larger cities in the region: Colmar and Strasbourg. Expect timber-framed facades, warm baked goods and plenty of vin chaud, the local take on mulled wine.

Last but certainly not least, Notre Dame Cathedral is scheduled to officially reopen on December 8, over four and a half years after the devastating fire. This will be a special time to be in Paris, no doubt.

To meet strong demand for Antarctica voyages, Viking has also announced the 2025-2026 season is now open for booking, including its new 87-day expedition from the Arctic to Antarctica, sailing from Nuuk, Greenland to Ushuaia, Argentina.

Departing in September 2025, this epic journey will allow guests to explore the natural beauty and historic waterways of the Canadian High Arctic before traveling down the east coast of North and South America, calling on ports in the Caribbean, Peru and exploring the Chilean glaciers before continuing to Antarctica.

“As we welcome guests back for a third season in Antarctica, we are pleased to introduce even more opportunities for the curious traveler to experience this phenomenal region in Viking comfort,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking.

“Our guests are able to explore some of the most pristine destinations on Earth in the most responsible way possible, while also participating in meaningful scientific discoveries,” he added.

The Polar Class Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris host 378 guests in 189 staterooms. Vessels are built specifically for expeditions, at an ideal size for safety and comfort in remote destinations. With more indoor and outdoor viewing areas than other expedition vessels, passengers are as close as possible to the most magnificent scenery on earth.

Highlights include:

The Aula – a stunning panoramic auditorium featuring a 4k laser-projected screen that retracts exposing floor-to-ceiling windows and 270-degree views.

Finse Terrace – an outdoor lounge area just above sea level with recessed seating allowing guests to enjoy the dramatic scenery.

The Hangar– a state-of-the-art, industry-first in-ship marina providing ease of embarkation and disembarkation of Special Operations Boats and other equipment.

The Bow – a forward-viewing partially enclosed platform.

The Science Lab – where guests have supervised access to learn from and participate with scientists undertaking meaningful research.

Expedition central – the hub for the expedition team to consult with guests on expedition activities and share knowledge about destinations on a one-on-one basis with 3D printed maps, digital screens, and a state-of-the-art spatial data visualization chart table.

Dining choices – The restaurant offers fine dining featuring regional cuisine and casual World Café includes a bakery, grill and premium seafood and sushi. Mamsen’s serves Scandinavian-inspired fare and Manfredi’s offers Italian cuisine.

The Nordic Spa – offers ultimate healthy Nordic traditions, with an indoor heated pool set against expansive windows and a badestamp (wood-sided hot tub) open to the outside.

Explorers’ Lounge – an ideal space to take in the magnificent scenery and share discoveries with fellow travelers.

The Living Room – with floor-to-ceiling windows and a library.

Nordic Balcony – a first for polar expedition vessels, staterooms feature a sunroom that converts into an al fresco viewing platform with an observation shelf to stabilize binoculars or a camera.

Expedition Ship Suites – include Nordic Junior Suites and Explorer Suites similar to those on Viking’s ocean ships. Explorer Suites feature two separate rooms, a Nordic Balcony and a full outdoor veranda. The Owner’s Suite has three rooms, a private deck and a traditional Norwegian badestamp.

Environmentally Considerate – Viking’s expedition ships have set a new standard for responsible travel with an energy-efficient design exceeding the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) requirements by nearly 38 percent, and more.

It’s no longer a question of wearing a face mask on some airlines, but the right face mask.

Turns out, some airlines are banning fabric face masks.

Finnair became the latest to do just that, tweeting its new policy out earlier this week:

“Starting 16 August, we will no longer accept fabric masks on our flights. We accept surgical masks, FFP2 or FFP3 respirator masks without a valve or other valve free masks with the same standard (N95). Please remember you need to wear a mask throughout the entire journey.”

Cloth masks became popular when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in the spring of last year, many made individually with colorful designs, even more made by companies looking to cash in with messages.

From a medical standpoint, however, they might not be as protective as other masks.

According to the aviation blog The Points Guy, so far it’s mostly been international airlines that have banned fabric masks.

Since Feb. 1, German national carrier Lufthansa has required passengers and crew to wear medical masks on all flights to and from Germany – either a surgical mask or an FFP2 mask or mask with the KN95/N95 standard.

Swissair also requires a non-fabric mask.

“The obligation to wear a mouth-nose cover applies to all passengers (also vaccinated and recovered) and staff on board,” Swiss currently notes on its website. “On all flights facemasks of the FFP2, KN95, or N95 standard, as well as surgical masks, are obligatory when boarding, onboard, and when leaving the aircraft.”

Surgical masks are also compulsory on Air France and Croatia Airlines.

(c)2021 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Visit at travelpulse.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

A recent report by The Association of Flight Attendants found that a staggering 85% of flight attendants in the United States have dealt with an unruly passenger since the beginning of this year.

Is it because people have forgotten how to fly? Or is it that we’ve been so isolated we’ve forgotten how to be polite and maintain our calm in what has become a more stressful situation than in the past?

A recent survey from ValuePenguin asked more than 1,000 individuals from four generational categories in America what they think of airline etiquette, and what their biggest pet peeves were when traveling by air.

More than half of Americans (54%) believe that the pandemic has worsened fliers’ airline etiquette, with 24% mentioning that their poor behavior could cause a plane to turn around or not take off at all, ruining other passengers’ experiences and plans.

Seventy-four percent of respondents believe that being rude to flight attendants is the biggest breach of airline etiquette, yet the majority of the thousands of reported incidents occur between flight attendants and passengers over problems of verbal and physical abuse, as well as noncompliance.

The other problem is drunk passengers. The Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA, has warned airports that have bars or restaurants that serve alcohol to closely monitor signs of drunkenness and curb the rate of intoxicated individuals, as they found the rate of these incidents was climbing because of a correlation with alcohol abuse.

This has posed the question of whether or not airlines should pause serving alcohol onboard for the time being, which 81% of respondents agreed would be a good idea, with 65% noting that getting drunk in the air is not acceptable behavior. Earlier in June, United Airlines, Southwest and American halted their alcohol services in the hopes of reducing the rate of unruly passengers, according to CBS.com.

The percentage of individuals who believe getting on an airplane while sick is a breach of etiquette has risen from 56% in February of 2020 to 67% — an 11% increase that surely has been affected by the pandemic’s all-important focus on human health and hygiene, though that number could be interpreted as lower than expected.

It’s important to remember to be kind and considerate to avoid adding to your or anybody else’s stress as travel continues to grow this year. Wear your mask when it is required. Air travel is considered public transportation, and masks are still mandated by federal law. Noncompliance, especially when it becomes violent, can be charged as a federal crime. Be aware of others and give them greater personal space than before. Wash or sanitize your hands often and remember: always be kind to flight attendants.

(c)2021 Travelpulse. Visit travelpulse.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Swap Zion National Park for Cedar Breaks, Kodachrome Basin or Capitol Reef

Cedar Breaks National Monument in Utah sits at over 10,000 feet, and you’re not going to want to miss the views. You can spend your days exploring lush wildflower meadows, sculptural geology and bristlecone pine forests, and your nights gazing up at the dazzling display of stars. With educational and junior ranger programs for the kids, Cedar Breaks is poised to be a home run for the whole family.

Kodachrome Basin State Park is named for its vibrant colors. You can explore 180 million years of geologic time, revealed through the spectacle of red rock structures, multihued sandstone layers and 67 towering sedimentary pipes. It’s even complete with its own 18-hole disc golf course. Check out the park’s three campgrounds to plan an immersive adventure.

Utah’s Capitol Reef National Park will leave you with the NP lover’s favorite question time and time again: How did nature make this? This landscape is a geological amusement park of cliffs, bridges, canyons and domes. The park is defined by its Waterpocket Fold, “a wrinkle on the earth.” Be sure to check out camping accommodations, ranger programs and hiking trails while planning your visit.

Swap Yosemite for Pinnacles National Park

California’s Pinnacles National Park showcases a unique landscape shaped by volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. With deep canyons, talus caves, oak woodlands and chaparral thickets to explore, Pinnacles has a little bit of everything. And don’t forget to look up; you wouldn’t want to miss the towering geologic spires or the park’s native, rare birds of prey.

Swap Yellowstone in Wyoming for Great Basin in Nevada

The peaks, valleys, caves and sweeping landscapes of Nevada’s Great Basin National Park are tough to beat. With unique wildlife, fantastic hiking trails and Lenham cave tours, you’ll have plenty of adventures to choose from. This park is well known for its stargazing; summer is the best season to take in the galaxy from the Great Basin.

Swap Joshua Tree for Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

The Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is California’s largest state park. It’s well known for its San Diego Desert wildflowers, which bloom across the park in explosions of color in spring and early summer. However, the park offers many spectacles of natural beauty — including waterfalls, unique cactuses, sandstone canyons and more — all year round. Anza-Borrego also offers free backcountry camping, as well as RV accommodations, a golf club and a spa (because who says your whole national park adventure has to be rough and tumble?).

Swap Mt. Rainier National Park for North Cascades National Park

Washington’s North Cascades National Park is worth the visit for its majestic mountain views, ice-blue waters and more than 300 glaciers. The park’s hiking trails accommodate all levels and guarantee breathtaking scenery. You can also plan a climb, set up at one of the park’s campgrounds or take a boat out on one of the park’s sparkling lakes.

Swap Grand Canyon in Arizona for Black Canyon of the Gunnison in Colorado

With one of the roughest national park terrains in the country, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a dream for the rugged adventurers among us. The park boasts “some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rock and craggiest spires in North America.” The park’s popular Inner Canyon offers advanced hiking, rock climbing and kayaking. But don’t worry, there are plenty of opportunities for scenic drives, fishing and easier walking trails when you need a break from all the action.

(c)2021 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Visit at travelpulse.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

El interés en las casas rodantes se ha disparado 162 por ciento durante la pandemia, según datos de LendingTree.

El interés en la compra de vehículos recreativos superó con creces las categorías recreativas. En comparación, el interés en los barcos aumentó 104 por ciento y el interés en los automóviles y los camiones cayó 26 por ciento.

En junio de 2020 se registró un aumento interanual del 303 por ciento en la cantidad de personas que completaron formularios de consulta de compra para vehículos recreativos en comparación con junio de 2019. Los estados más populares para las compras de vehículos recreativos fueron Vermont, Delaware y Maryland, cada uno de los cuales vio un aumento en el interés en las compras de vehículos recreativos de más del 270 por ciento.

La popularidad de los viajes en vehículos recreativos está impulsada por la sensación de seguridad que brinda a los viajeros estadounidenses.

Harvest Hosts descubrió en su reciente encuesta de viajes que el 76 por ciento dijeron que planean viajar más en 2021 que en 2020, y casi el 60 por ciento dijo que planean viajar más que en 2019 antes de la pandemia. Sin embargo, más del 80 por ciento no planea viajar internacionalmente este año.

Eso deja a las casas rodantes como una de las opciones más populares para moverse esta primavera y verano. Según Harvest Hosts, el 99 por ciento del total de los encuestados dijeron que se sentían seguros viajando en una casa rodante, y el 53 por ciento del total de los encuestados dijeron que planeaban viajar exclusivamente utilizando casas rodantes en 2021.

“Después del año difícil que tuvimos en 2020, la gente está ansiosa por salir a la carretera. Para muchos, viajar es una necesidad humana básica. Lo que estamos viendo es que no es necesario viajar al otro lado del mundo para eliminar esta picazón”, dijo Joel Holland, director ejecutivo de Harvest Hosts. “Los resultados de la encuesta pueden parecer extremos, pero se reduce al hecho de que muchos todavía tienen reservas sobre los viajes aéreos. Los datos muestran que las personas seguirán optando por la seguridad de los viajes por carretera, lo que provocará un auge en la exploración de patios traseros y un creciente interés en los vehículos recreativos “.

El trabajo remoto es otra clave que está impulsando a los estadounidenses a viajar más este año que en 2020 y en 2019. Los viajes en vehículos recreativos tienden a ser más largos y cubren muchas millas, y las camionetas y autocaravanas ofrecen flexibilidad para los viajeros.

De las personas que planean viajar por carretera, el 61 por ciento planea viajar más de 500 millas y el 34 por ciento planea viajar moderadamente lejos, entre 100 y 500 millas.

Harvest Hosts descubrió que los viajeros también gastan dólares en turismo cuando se hospedan en destinos. Casi la mitad de los estadounidenses que viajan en caravanas, furgonetas y autocaravanas gastan un promedio de dos o tres noches y gastan dinero en comida, vino, servicios y otros artículos en las industrias del turismo que se han visto muy afectadas por la pandemia.

El 94 por ciento de las personas generalmente gastan menos de $75 cada noche cuando viajan en RV, que es mucho menos que una estadía en un hotel típico, pero puede marcar una gran diferencia para una granja o bodega independiente, según Harvest Hosts.

Los estados más populares para unas vacaciones en autocaravana son California, Florida, Arizona, Texas y Oregon.

Interest in RVs has spiked 162% during the pandemic, according to data from LendingTree.

Interest in purchasing RVs far exceeded recreational categories. By comparison, interest in boats rose 104 %, and interest in cars and lot trucks dropped 26%.

June 2020 saw a 303% year-over-year increase in the number of people completing purchase query forms for RVs compared to June 2019. The most popular states for RV purchases were Vermont, Delaware and Maryland, which each saw interest in RV purchases spike more than 270 %.

The popularity of RV travel is driven by the feeling of safety it provides U.S. travelers.

Harvest Hosts found that 76% of respondents to its recent travel survey said they plan to travel more in 2021 than they did in 2020, and nearly 60% said that they plan to travel more than they did in 2019 before the pandemic. More than 80% are not planning to travel internationally this year, however.

That leaves RVs as one of the most popular options for getting around this spring and summer. According to Harvest Hosts, 99% of total respondents said that they felt safe traveling in an RV, and 53% of total respondents said they planned to exclusively travel using RVs in 2021.

“After the rough year we had in 2020, people are itching to hit the road. For many, travel is a basic human necessity. What we’re seeing is that you don’t have to travel halfway around the world to scratch this itch,” said Joel Holland, CEO of Harvest Hosts. “The survey results may seem extreme, but it comes down to the fact that many still have reservations about air travel. The data shows that people will continue opting for the safety of road trips, leading to a boom in backyard exploration and growing interest in RVing.”

Remote working is another key that is driving Americans to travel more this year than they did in 2020 and in 2019. RV trips tend to be longer and cover a lot of miles, and vans and motor homes offer flexibility for travelers.

Of people planning to travel by road, 61% plan to travel more than 500 miles, and 34% plan to travel moderately far, within 100-500 miles.

Harvest Hosts found that travelers are also spending tourism dollars when staying in destinations. Nearly half of Americans traveling in campers, vans and motor homes spend on average two or three nights and spend money on food, wine, services and other items in tourism industries that have been hard hit by the pandemic.

Ninety-four % of people typically spend less than $75 each night when traveling via RV, which is much less than a typical hotel stay but can make a big difference for an independent farm or winery, according to Harvest Hosts.

The most popular states for an RV vacation are California, Florida, Arizona, Texas and Oregon.

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Los funcionarios de la UE confirmaron que están trabajando en un “pase verde digital” europeo y se espera que la Comisión Europea publique un borrador de la legislación antes del 17 de marzo, según Euronews.

Si bien siguen siendo controvertidos, los pasaportes de las vacunas permitirían a quienes se hayan vacunado por completo moverse más libremente entre los países dentro del bloque, con suerte, revitalizando el sector de viajes severamente deprimido en el proceso. El esquema permitiría a los viajeros completamente vacunados eludir las restricciones actuales de los estados miembros, como la cuarentena de 10 días y las medidas de prueba obligatorias.

Los pasaportes de vacunas potencialmente se vincularían no sólo a los certificados de vacunación oficiales, sino a los resultados recientes de las pruebas de COVID-19 o evidencia documentada de una recuperación previa de COVID-19. El próximo borrador de propuesta de la Comisión Europea establecerá los detalles de un formato común que pueda ser aceptado en toda la UE y sentará las bases para la futura interoperabilidad de la tecnología.

El cronograma para el lanzamiento real de este pasaporte de vacuna digital debería ser más claro una vez que se haya publicado la propuesta oficial, pero varios países esperan que llegue a tiempo para facilitar los viajes de verano, lo que puede ser un importante contribuyente a sus respectivas economías. Time Out informó que estos “pasaportes” probablemente no estarán disponibles hasta junio, como muy pronto.

El mes pasado, la canciller alemana, Angela Merkel, respondió a las preocupaciones de que los pasaportes de vacunas llevarían a prácticas discriminatorias contra los no vacunados: “Ciertamente será bueno tener un certificado de este tipo, pero eso no significa que sólo aquellos que tienen un pasaporte de este tipo podrán viajar”.

La presidenta de la Comisión Europea, Ursula von der Leyen, dijo ayer: “El (pase) debería facilitar la vida de los europeos. El objetivo es permitirles gradualmente moverse con seguridad en la Unión Europea o en el extranjero, por trabajo o turismo”. También ha revelado que cree que alrededor del 70 por ciento de todos los ciudadanos adultos de la UE habrán sido vacunados al final del verano, y lo calificó como un “objetivo con el que confiamos”.

Reconociendo que pueden surgir preocupaciones entre los distintos estados miembros, von der Leyen explicó: “La decisión sobre lo que puede hacer potencialmente con un certificado de vacunación de este tipo debe decidirse particularmente dentro de cada país. Pero, a nivel de la UE, creo que deberíamos utilizarlos para garantizar el funcionamiento del mercado único”.

La Comisión Europea también dijo ayer que colaboraría con la Organización Mundial de la Salud para, eventualmente, extender el sistema a países no pertenecientes a la UE. Un portavoz del primer ministro británico, Boris Johnson, dijo que el Reino Unido también discutirá su participación en el programa de pasaportes de vacunas de la UE.

Junto con esta nueva esperanza parece haber una desaceleración en los viajes. Con el aumento de la producción de vacunas, ¿los estadounidenses prefieren no arriesgarse y se quedan en casa durante la primavera con la esperanza de un verano más normal?

Una nueva investigación de la Asociación de Viajes de Estados Unidos y los analistas de destinos muestra que esto podría ser una posibilidad.

Solo alrededor de uno de cada ocho estadounidenses (12%) está planeando un viaje de vacaciones de primavera este año, según los datos de las encuestas de Destination Analysts, y eso es menos que la semana anterior, durante la cual el 16% de los estadounidenses planeaba viajar. Esto sugiere que los viajeros que desconfían de viajar durante la pandemia pueden aplazar sus planes hasta que se vacune a más gente.

Para quienes trabajan en la industria de viajes, estas cifras son un golpe más en el corto plazo para la industria del turismo, que representa el 39 por ciento de los empleos perdidos en el país. Sin embargo, podría ser una buena noticia para una recuperación sostenida a largo plazo.

“Los viajes son un pilar central de la economía de Estados Unidos, por lo que una recuperación general solo será posible si Washington se mueve rápidamente para mantener la industria en pie”, dijo el presidente y director ejecutivo de la Asociación de Viajes de Estados Unidos, Roger Dow. “Un verdadero regreso a los viajes también puede suceder una vez que la pandemia haya pasado de manera decisiva, y todos tenemos un papel importante que desempeñar: vacunarse lo antes posible y no volverse complaciente con el uso de mascarillas y otras prácticas de salud importantes”.

En una conferencia de prensa con reporteros, Dow discutió el momento y la importancia de la recuperación a la luz de la reciente investigación de los analistas de destinos en las vacaciones de primavera.

“No está claro cuándo los viajes se recuperarán por completo, pero ciertamente tomará más tiempo si no tenemos la capacidad de abrir viajes de negocios, lo que básicamente aumentará los puestos de trabajo”, dijo. “Algunos dicen que (recuperarse) del COVID podría llevar cinco años a menos que tengamos acciones federales decisivas para ayudar a nuestra industria. Es importante ayudar a nuestra industria a recuperarse y tener las políticas adecuadas para estimular los viajes porque cuando la gente viaja, más gente trabaja y más gente paga impuestos, y nuestra economía y nuestros empleos despegan “.

Dow se siente alentado por las propuestas que se están abriendo camino en el Capitolio en la forma del nuevo proyecto de ley de estímulo de $1.9 billones que acaba de aprobarse en Senado y la Ley bipartidista de Recuperación de Empleo en Hospitalidad y Comercio.

La Asociación de Viajes de Estados Unidos también está presionando para extender la fecha límite del 31 de marzo para el Programa de Protección de Cheques de Pago y proporcionar un tercer préstamo.

Para aquellos que viajan durante la primavera, la asociación ha actualizado la guía de salud y seguridad en “Viajar en la nueva normalidad”. Las recomendaciones incluyen adaptaciones comerciales para crear entornos saludables, abogan por transacciones sin contacto, promueven el uso de máscaras y fomentan las vacunas para la máxima seguridad en los viajes.

“Ahora tenemos un entendimiento colectivo de las mejores prácticas”, dijo Dow. “La evidencia es muy clara, sin eliminar esta pandemia, viajar va a ser muy difícil, así que hasta que lleguemos al punto de inflexión de la inmunidad colectiva, las máscaras siguen siendo muy importantes, lavarse las manos y el distanciamiento social. Si está enfermo, no viaje, quédese en casa “.

Dow señaló que a pesar de que han sido 12 meses desastrosos para viajar, los estadounidenses están pasando de no viajar en absoluto a planificar viajes y ver hacia el futuro.

“Si hacemos lo correcto desde el punto de vista de la salud”, dijo Dow, “habrá una luz al final de este túnel muy oscuro de un año”.

EU officials confirmed that they’re working on a European “digital green pass” and the European Commission is expected to publish a draft of the legislation by March 17, according to Euronews.

While still controversial, vaccine passports would enable those who’ve been fully vaccinated to move more freely between countries within the bloc, hopefully reenergizing the severely depressed travel sector in the process. The scheme would allow fully vaccinated travelers to bypass member states’ current restrictions, such as 10-day quarantine and mandatory testing measures.

Vaccine passports would potentially link to not only official vaccination certificates, but recent COVID-19 test results and/or documented evidence of previous recovery from COVID-19. The European Commission’s forthcoming draft proposal will set out the details for a common format that can be accepted across the EU and lay the groundwork for the technology’s future interoperability.

The timeline for actually launching this digital vaccine passport should become clearer once the official proposal has been released, but several countries are hoping that it will arrive in time to facilitate summer travel, which can be a major contributor to their respective economies. Time Out reported that these “passports” likely won’t go live until June, at the earliest.

Last month, German chancellor Angela Merkel responded to concerns that vaccine passports would lead to discriminatory practices against the unvaccinated: “It will certainly be good to have such a certificate, but that will not mean that only those who have such a passport will be able to travel.”

The European Commission’s President Ursula von der Leyen, said yesterday, “The (pass) should facilitate Europeans’ lives. The aim is to gradually enable them to move safely in the European Union or abroad—for work or tourism.” She has also disclosed that she believes around 70 percent of all adult citizens of the EU will have been inoculated by summer’s end, calling this a “goal that we’re confident with.”

Acknowledging that concerns may arise among the various member states, von der Leyen explained, “The decision on what you are able to do potentially with such a vaccination certificate is to be decided particularly within each country. But, at the EU level, I believe we should use them to ensure the functioning of the Single Market.”

The European Commission also said yesterday that it would collaborate with the World Health Organization to potentially, eventually extend the system to non-EU nations. A spokesperson for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the U.K. will discuss involving itself in the EU vaccine passport program, as well.

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