Globe Aware news

Popular travel destinations are beginning to ease their Covid-19 lock down measures and are moving toward welcoming tourists back. If you’re one of many Globe Aware volunteers eagerly awaiting news on where you can travel to this year, here’s another updated guide to the top destinations making plans to reopen.

Which international destinations are reopening to tourists?

Tamara Hardingham-Gill, CNN • Updated 3rd July 2020

(CNN) — Although many governments are still advising against “nonessential” international travel, a host of popular destinations are beginning to ease their Covid-19 lockdown measures and border restrictions and are moving toward welcoming tourists back.

On July 1, the European Union announced it would be reopening its external border to 15 countries outside of the bloc in a bid to boost its travel industry.

Traveling during the Corona pandemic isn’t the same as it was before all of this began. Globe Aware volunteers must be prepared with the right essentials to stay safe and prevent any further spread of the virus.

Traveling this summer?

These 12 things will keep you safe and comfortable

Amanda Tarlton
Reviewed.com
June 17, 2020

As states lift their stay-at-home orders after months of quarantine, more and more people are beginning to venture out. But they aren’t just heading to the grocery store or the gym—some people are starting to travel again, as well.

Whether it be for business or pleasure, traveling during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic isn’t the same as it was before all of this began. Not only are airports, airlines, and other public transportation companies instituting new rules and cleaning procedures, but travelers themselves must also be prepared with the right essentials to stay safe and prevent any further spread of the virus.

As lock down restrictions are eased in many countries, borders are being opened up again too. Many countries rely heavily on travelers during the summer therefore it is vital for the economy to get tourists vacationing back in their country again.

Where can I travel this summer? Countries open for tourism

June 15, 2020

The coronavirus has forced several countries to close borders and airline companies to ground flights but what countries can I travel to this summer?

The coronavirus continues to spread in some areas of the world and is fluctuating in others from week to week. As lockdown restrictions are eased in many cities and countries, borders are being opened up again too. Many countries rely heavily on tourism during the summer with Spain, for example, relying on the tourism industry for €159 billion a year and 2.65 million jobs. Therefore, it is seen as pertinent to the health of the economy to get tourists back into the country.

Globe Aware volunteer recognized for community service will share in a Lions Club scholarship as she prepares to attend Duke University.

Saratoga Lions Club Awards 2020 Scholarships

THURSDAY, 11 JUNE 2020
BY SARATOGA TODAY

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs Lions Club Scholarship Committee proudly presents $32,500 in academic awards to seven Saratoga Springs High School Seniors. All seven seniors are pursuing four-years + in academic programs with diverse fields of study.

It is disappointing that the annual Lions awards luncheon was unable to be held this June, however, we are anxious to share these students and the honor they receive for their hard work and perseverance during this difficult senior year.

Racism, like in many other sectors of society, has been built into the travel industry. Globe Aware, a nonprofit that specializes in volunteer vacations, takes their responsibility to be anti-racist seriously.

How the Travel Industry Can Do Its Part in the Fight Against Racism

ALEX TEMBLADOR
JUNE 02, 2020
TravelPulse.com

One of the first features I wrote about the subject of race and racism in the travel industry, a travel executive reached out to me to ask me who or what had made me so angry to write the piece. As a brown woman of color, he was essentially inferring that I was an “angry brown woman,” a stereotype that has long been used to highlight women of color who discuss controversial topics such as racism.

To say that I wasn’t surprised by his reaction is accurate. The travel industry tends to think of itself as a space of leisure, fun, and escape where such things like racism are left behind for good times. The problem is, for black individuals and people of color, escaping racism is not something they can do by taking a vacation. Racism, like in many other sectors of society, has been built into the travel industry, both knowingly and unknowingly.

Travel is slowly starting up again and people locked down for months want to go out, whether its a road trip or international volunteer vacation. Learn how you can safely explore the world without endangering yourself or others.

Is it safe to travel now? It depends.

Here are the best practices for getting on the road without endangering your health—or anyone else’s.

BY JOHANNA READ
National Geographic

PUBLISHED MAY 28, 2020

ALTHOUGH MANY RESTRICTIONS are still in place, travel is slowly starting up again. People locked down for months want to stretch their legs, see something other than a screen, and boost the economy. Restaurants and some tourist attractions (Florida’s Universal Orlando Resort, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston) are opening for local and domestic travel. A few countries (Greece, Italy) are starting to welcome international travelers.

But how can you safely explore a world of potentially deadly encounters with friendly people who might infect you (or who you might expose to the virus)? Is the airplane really a soaring petri dish? Is visiting a national park possible while social distancing? And if you choose a seemingly safer road trip, can you stop to use a public restroom?

Once Thailand opens to international tourists, they’ll likely only be able to visit certain vacation spots. This will be beneficial for both tourists and local residents, Globe Aware will continue to track when volunteer vacations can resume in their Thailand locations as well.

THAILAND REOPENING TO TOURISTS: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

MAY 29, 2020

TREVOR KUCHERAN
TRAVEL NEWS

The Thailand Tourism Authority has said that tourists will have to wait a few more months before visiting.

The Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand said that tourism could return in the fourth quarter of this year.

Here is everything you need to know about Thailand reopening to tourists and what to expect when one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world opens their border.

With the COVID-19 pandemic’s devastation to tourist destinations such as Mexico and South America, it’s time to consider creating “travel bubbles. Volunteer vacation destinations closer to the U.S.’s proximity may be more likely to open for travel.

U.S. ‘Travel Bubbles’ Would Let Us Fly Safely and Bring Back Millions of Jobs

With the COVID-19 pandemic’s devastation to tourist destinations in Florida, the Caribbean, Mexico and South America, it’s time to consider creating “travel bubbles.

Andres Oppenheimer
Miami Herald (TNS)
May 26, 2020

With the COVID-19 pandemic’s devastation to tourist destinations in Florida, the Caribbean, Mexico and South America, it’s time to consider creating “travel bubbles” — or corridors — between countries. That’s what Australia and New Zealand have just done, and it should be done everywhere.

Granted, it may be too soon to expect a significant resumption of international travel in the Americas. But it’s time to start planning for it.

Mexico, one of the top ten countries in the world for travel and tourism plans to reopen its doors to travelers starting in June but not all at the same time. Globe Aware is closely monitoring as the country opens regions in stages.

(CNN) — Mexico, one of the top ten countries in the world for tourism according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), plans to reopen its doors to travelers starting in June — albeit not all at the same time.

Similar to other nations globally, Mexico has been on lockdown due to Covid-19, forcing hotels and restaurants to temporarily close their doors and putting pre-booked tours on hold, such as cenotes snorkeling trips, Mexico City food tours and excursions to Mayan ruins.

For most countries, staying isolated is not an option they can afford long-term, and experts predict it’s just a matter of time before other countries create travel bubbles of their own. What is the future of tourism? Countries are searching for pair-up partners, that appear to have their outbreaks under control, Globe Aware will be staying updated with this information as well.

The future of tourism in the coronavirus era: Asia may hold answers to what’s ahead

Julia Hollingsworth and Kocha Olarn
CNN
May 13, 2020

Bangkok, Thailand (CNN) — It’s a sunny day on Bangkok’s most famous tourist street, and shopkeeper Cletana Thangworachai is open for business.

Her Khao San Road shop is crowded with shiny magnets, brightly colored elephant key rings and the patterned cotton pants that have become an unofficial uniform for backpackers in Southeast Asia.

But for now, there’s no one to buy them.