Testing, Testing, Testing

With over 100 bookings set to depart over the next month, Caitlin Lajeunesse felt a jolt of panic and fear when the news of testing requirements for all arriving air passengers outside of the US came out.

“I was worried this news would bring a wave of cancellations, again,” the owner of Vacations by Caitlin with Independent by Flight Centre told Travel Courier. “As the days have passed, and after a meeting with my MP to get some further details and clarification, I feel confident that travel will remain as planned.”

Lajeunesse says the measures are not meant to deter travel, but are meant to add an extra layer of protection.

“I truly believe our clients look to us for our reactions and, of course, guidance. I am choosing to see this as a positive step — I think testing should be done on home ground anyway — and I know all of my clients still want to go,” she says. “Working with a travel advisor has never been more important. I can’t even begin to imagine clients trying to navigate this on their own let alone trying to make changes or ask questions. I admire each and every one of my fellow travel advisors for making it this far, we can get through this too.”

Post vacation, Lajeunesse says she already stays home for a day or two to catch up on laundry and get back into the swing of things after a week of vacation life, so having to isolate for a day or two while waiting for test results wouldn’t really impact her life and prevent her from travelling.

For the full story, don’t miss this week’s issue of TRAVEL COURIER.