Europe, and Spain
specifically, are churning out interesting travel rules everyday
as they try to figure out how to restart the tourism industry. Tourism accounts
for 10 - 30 percent of some countries' GDP. According to The Guardian, it accounts
for 12.3% of Spain's GDP.
Some of the more
interesting Spanish travel rules include:
- Popular beaches in Spain will be mapped into 6-foot-square grid pattern which visitors will have to reserve ahead of time using QR codes
- 14-day quarantines for international travelers
- Buffets banned
- Temperature controls at hotel entrances
- The Canary Islands requiring tourists to carry a digital health passport
Wow. Everyday brings
out new travel news.
The outlook for my
July trip to Spain continues to dim.
A month ago
recreational travel between the US and Mexico was banned until May 20. Then two
weeks ago, Mexico closed all non-essential businesses in Baja California until
May 31st.
Two days ago, Delta
airlines cancelled my June 4 trip to Cabo, although they have not cancelled my
return flight.
When I called Delta,
the recording said the wait time to speak to a representative was
four-and-a-half hours. I decided not to wait. It's not like I was in a hurry to
book the voucher or credit as there was nowhere I could fly. I wanted to ask
where I could find the credit or voucher online for my cancelled flight as it
had yet to appear in my SkyMiles account.
I see photos of
people on full flights, but I wonder where these people are going?
Hotels, museums, campgrounds, and national parks are closed.
My buddy is hoping
to reschedule the Cabo trip for the end of August or September. Will travel
restrictions be removed by then?
Los Angeles just
announced that the ban on all non-essential workers has been extended to the
end of July, but beaches and hiking trails have opened.
Is this a sign
campgrounds will open this summer or remain closed.
Currently, you can
run, walk and swim at a Southern California beach, you just can't sit on one.
Perhaps we will go
the QR code route.
Crazy travel times
indeed.
How have your travel plans changed because of the coronavirus?
Take care and be
safe.
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