Your invitation to explore the world again!

Tracie Cooke on 22 June 2020
As the world begins to open up and airlines, tour operators and hoteliers open their doors to welcome us all back; I wonder what your travel plans will be and where you are most looking forward to visiting?

I know that many of your travel plans have been thwarted this year and have been postponed; decisions to close borders and implement travel embargo's are never taken lightly and are always done so with our best interests at heart. Equally, the time to lift the travel 'ban' is measured and considered. Many aspects of travelling will have changed and many new procedures are being rolled out to ensure our well-being. It's important that we allow ourselves time to adjust and that we wholeheartedly embrace these changes in order to progress; the wider world is constantly evolving and therefore changes are inevitable.

Our industry will take a while to fully recover from this global crisis and travel choices may initially be less than you expect; don't let any of this deter you. There are so many fantastic places to discover that you may not have previously considered. My first post lock-down trip is likely to be back to my favourite place on the western Algarve in Portugal; it holds many special memories for my family and we have visited almost every year for as long as I can remember. We have watched the village grow and thrive over the years; it's a place where the locals embrace the loyal holidaymakers that return year after year. I'm looking forward to catching up with friends and acquaintances; to visiting some favourite restaurants, most of all for some of the freshest fish you'll ever eat and it goes without saying, a long walk on the beach; the Algarve has some of the best beaches in all of Europe and the backdrop to many is nothing short of spectacular. I'll never tire of the sunsets on the western cape peninsula; this is a place of simple pleasures and a great place to escape to. My immediate thoughts are that I cannot wait to visit and will comply with any necessary requirements in order to get there! Once I've placed another tick in the Algarve box, I'll be heading for Dubai; a trip that was cancelled due to the global pandemic. I haven't been for many years and it has changed a lot in that time. The Middle East is constantly re-inventing itself and is a fantastic example of how to embrace change in a positive way. I once worried about its environmental footprint and this has since been addressed with sustainable tourism high on the agenda. I'm excited to get there and discover all that is new about this fabulous destination. Do you have a favourite travel destination? When do you next plan to visit?

As Summer progresses, many of us look forward to our family holiday; it breaks up the long school recess and provides an incentive for us to work hard to treat ourselves whilst we are away. The sense of excitement begins to build as soon as we change the clocks and I know from talking to many of you that the thought of not going away has brought huge disappointment. Thankfully, we are now in the midst of change and we can all dust off our passports, in preparation for some new adventures. Our travel dreams remain, they may have been altered a little but they are still intact. For many, lock-down has simply reinforced a love of travel and adventure and to have it stifled has only increased our desire to explore as soon as we are able. That we don't take our travel opportunities for granted and no longer put off those 'big ticket' trips that previously we waited many years to take. There is certainly an upturn in requests for celebratory trips. Whether your desire is to travel near or far, we are here to help and can offer the assurance that you are in very capable hands. How has being locked down and unable to travel made you feel? Are you planning your next adventure?

Many people are asking the question 'What if?' In the event that circumstances change, you can rest assured that we have your best interests at heart. Not only is your money 100% financially protected but you'll have the benefit of access to our 24hr Duty Office, wherever you are in the world. Should it be necessary to alter or cancel your travel plans, we will ensure that this is done with the least amount of stress and anxiety and we will always keep you informed. We cannot predict the future but we can be here to help and guide you through any events that may arise. In the worst case scenario, we are here to help, by your side, whatever happens.

There is no better time than right now to secure your next adventure, whatever that entails and wherever it may take you. Whether you plan to travel later this year or in 2021; get in touch and let's start talking....