I put my hand up and say that I am not one, but there will be plenty amongst us who are rejoicing in the lack of airplane travel and foreign tourism right now. But....
what effect will this all have on some very special places. The Mindo valley in Ecuador is an area I’m particularly worried about having visited there recently. The local conservationists have managed to persuade the local population that keeping the forests and having wildlife tourists is better for the economy, the environment and the long term viability of the area. Should we get a year, two years, who knows how many years without tourists and that argument will start to look less appealing. I imagine this is being replicated in many many parts of the world.
I am not planning on ANY international travel until post distribution of the vaccine (and personally receiving it). And presumably that will be "sometime" in 2021, but who knows when?
I'd like to visit Panama...I already paid for my visit and was intending to go to celebrate my 40th birthday (Wow, that turned out to be the worst birthday ever). Of course, it also looks like I will probably lose money on the airplane tickets bought, and have to buy them all over :(
Why, don't you have any consumer protection there like we do?
In Europe too, if the flight is still going, but you can't fly or choose not to, you will also lose your money if you haven't purchased a ticket with refund possible.
Incidentally, there are many destinations that are once again open, many requiring a negative Coronavirus test admittedly, but I personally do not see that as a massive hassle. As for needing to wear masks on flights, good, completely agree with this. Biggest obstacle for many would be the requirement to isolate on return home, but fortunately this is of little consequence for me as I've been basically isolating for the past 6 months anyhow
Incidentally, there are many destinations that are once again open, many requiring a negative Coronavirus test admittedly, but I personally do not see that as a massive hassle. As for needing to wear masks on flights, good, completely agree with this. Biggest obstacle for many would be the requirement to isolate on return home, but fortunately this is of little consequence for me as I've been basically isolating for the past 6 months anyhow
Apart from the flights, car hire, stopping for petrol and buying food on your trips to the Arctic and Italy you mean?
Why, don't you have any consumer protection there like we do?
I know of two people now who had positive tests but no symptoms. Their partners tested negative so they went for second tests and suddenly were negative too.
If tests are giving false positives or false negatives in this way, then
A) the data we are getting is useless and is potentially making the spread worse
B) more relevant to this thread, I am desperate to get travelling again but fear a positive result, real or false, prior to flying.