NAVIGATING THE WAY FORWARD

The New Normal in travel hardly seems normal at all – but the journey is still worth the effort

- RAMSEY QUBEIN

As the global pandemic – or at least the global panic that’s accompanied it – begins to ebb, and the world starts to chart its course back, we travelers are entering some murky and unfamiliar territory.

We can’t go back, though, so the only choice is the way forward.

Now the “way forward” for the travel industry will appear mystifying at first, and there is no timeline yet for how long these new measures will endure. There are masks and plastic barriers, disinfectants and UV robots, and truckloads of hand sanitizer. There is also more apprehension and often some confusion.

But, the way forward is also hopeful and bright. There is opportunity for improvement and energy for making the world a better and healthier place. There is also the desire for a robust economy, in which travel plays a fundamental role.

There is a cautious way to approach travel as businesses and organizations churn back to work. Perhaps the most important thing to remember, however, is that we must see things differently. We need to take a “half glass full” approach and be aware of the potential we do have rather than ticking off the things that are different or missing from the travel experience.

Let’s be mindful of the freedom and joy that travel can bring. Making a list of all the things we dislike about the “new normal” is certainly a recipe for disappointment. There will be many things that are not like they once were, but travel can still deliver fruitful results for commerce, for relationships, and for the curious among us.

With that in mind, there are sure to be some changes on your next trip.