When should you travel internationally or domestically in 2022?

 

I have more than 2 decades experience in various aspects of the travel industry, my lifestyle travel books are in libraries worldwide (WorldCat.org), and my lifestyle travel book,  No More Hotels In Paris is in the permanent collection of Library of Congress, I have read the references you will find below this post, and I believe 2022 is a year to travel wherever you want, but there are still certain perquisites to determine before you book.  

For instance, Forbes gives "current" for the moment only regulations for nations around the world, but this could change if some nations determine they have an uptick in a particular variant COVID.

 

Although the general advice is it's okay to book now for the summer, I see a hazard if you book a fare that you can't cancel, and trip insurance won't pay for what is called "an act of God" that could be applied to any COVID related problems.  However, keep in mind that booking a fare you can cancel will cost up to double more depending on the destination and other factors.   

As well, if you intend to go to one of the major European countries, remember there is a war going on in Ukraine that could flare into Poland and other unexpected problems could occur to affect some of the major Capitals in Europe.  

My advice is to book your trip to Europe now but no further than 2 weeks ahead of your European trip.  Insofar as other international destinations keep abreast of what is going on in those countries and perhaps if there are no current problems you can book for trip a month from now.    

Domestically, there are problems with food shortages and gasoline prices, don't expect a "cheap" trip, be prepared to book but you may find that a "surcharge" could be added to the price you expect to pay, do read the fine print of your booking contract, I'm sure you'll find a mention of changes due to extreme price increases. 

Sadly, in these uncertain times, there is no certainty and when it comes to travel count on Murphy's law an adage or epigram that is typically stated as: "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong." 

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/expedia-releases-2022-travel-hacks-including-the-best-time-to-book-airfare-and-hotels-301398008.html 

https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/when-to-book-flights-for-cheapest-airfare 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/geoffwhitmore/2022/03/06/many-travel-restrictions-are-being-eased-heres-the-latest-for-march-2022/?sh=4af3dc1f610c 

 

Is the improved attitude about the virus a boon for travel in February 2022?

 

According to the New York Times the "endemic" still is not a return to normal when it comes to travel both domestically or internationally.   And this means, it's still a day by day decision, and making plans in advance means insuring that your trip can be cancelled in the event travel once more becomes an impossibility when the "leader" of the nation you want to visit decides to close the borders and limit flights in and out.  This also applies to traveling within the USA, any individual "Governor" still can exercise an executive order to close the borders of that state. 

I could find nothing else online that discusses the "endemic" of this virus that has destroyed the world's most enjoyable pursuit, travel.  If I were to offer a prediction, I have none. 

In the USA the coming fall elections will determine whether the return to normalcy for all activities is effected.  In France, the upcoming French elections will determine what happens in France as well, the coming international situation as regards the nation of Russia and Ukraine can also affect international travel.  

Buying travel insurance isn't a cure all either, certain world events are often not insurable.   

Whether uncertainty affects the "endemic" or war and peace among the nations of the world, travel is certainly affected and whatever is booked must booked wit the intention of a cancellation, and it behooves every traveler to ask the all important question: is my money returnable if I cancel?  

I advise against traveling internationally unless you can book a flight on a private 24/7 charter jet and then if your plans are more than a few days in advance, you have to hope you will be able to enter the country you wish to visit and aren't mandated into quarantine regardless of your vaccination status. 

Domestic travel should be carefully considered for all the reasons as noted above, nevertheless, in the USA, the state of Florida remains a destination that can be booked without worry about determining whether the "endemic" means a return to normalcy.  

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/06/travel/travel-trends-endemic-virus.html 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is the state of travel in 2022?

 

Despite the "TRAVEL" section produced by the venerable "grey lady" New York Times which is a "worldwide" examination of "eco-friendly climate & green" destination perfections with no indication as to whether "you" or "I" nobody plain folks person can travel there, I can't answer this most basic question about the "state of travel in 2022."  

Sadly I have to cast doubt on whether the global world's established news media want to let go of the "headline" grabbing COVID 19 latest variants, insofar as reporting on the spread of the latest version of this virus, and of course the "deaths" that many in the major news media don't mention.  As most of the persons who examine beyond "headlines" know, currently, COVID 19  with its many replications dogs large BMI individuals and those who have been kept alive due to the drugs they need to stay alive, which puts them at undue risk for catching this virus.

It doesn't  matter when you are okay re BMI with no morbidity, because "status" is what you lack. 

However, in some major Western European nations there is an acknowledgment that masks, restrictions of social distancing & even the vaccines don't help—the UK has just tossed away the "mask" mandate, but other nations are only hardening their demands for the so far 2 shots vaccine to travel into their country plus need for a vaccination card to prove immune status to eat and do all the things tourists love to do, despite that the current variant has afflicted the "double" vaxxed and the "booster" vaxxed. 

The question of travel into the nations of the world, even into some states in the US depends on the "status" of the individual who wants to get into that nation or state—the politicians and diplomats along with their staffs, the major news media staff and journalists are "immune" from any restrictions or investigation into their "vaccine status."  Those "out of the ordinary" wealthy persons can evade any "authority" and they travel where and when they please. 

I can say the ordinary traveler will remain uncertain about the "status of travel in 2022."   

Your travel depends upon whether you can go anywhere domestically or to another nation if you cannot prove your vaccine status which currently requires 2 shots, but this may change depending on far too many "powerful" elected authorities, who seem to be able to use their "rules"  for their benefit, but not for the plain folks, like you and I.

 

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/where-to-travel-best-destinations-2022/index.html 

https://www.foxnews.com/travel/tripadvisor-2022-travel-predictions 

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/best-in-travel