May 9, 2022
With Judy Schwartz, Luxury Travel Advisor With Cadence Travel
Although the pandemic disrupted many travel plans when our long-awaited dream vacations were put on indefinite hold, thankfully the travel industry is once again on the move. As travel restrictions ease, popular destinations such as New York, Paris, London, and Florence are seeing large numbers of tourists. So what does post-pandemic travel look like and what can we expect for 2022? It turns out that a lot has changed in the last two years. Eager to attract new clients, the hospitality industry is offering many amenities such as in-room streaming services, smart rooms providing wireless charging pads, and touch tablets. In order to offset the labor shortage and reduce costs, hotels are relying on technology to increase the efficiency of hotel operations with things like keyless check-in and room service delivery robots. But even with technological procedures and enhanced accommodations, travel can still be complicated.
While masks and vaccine mandates have been lifted for many destinations, there are still more than 100,000 health and travel restrictions in place around the globe. Despite the previous ease of DIY online trip planning, international destinations can still be challenging with travel restrictions varying from country to country. That’s why it’s a good idea to consult a travel professional who can help navigate the various entry guidelines and visa requirements. In addition, they can also assist you with domestic travel by booking flights, travel accommodations, and excursions. My guest today, Judy Schwartz, is a luxury travel advisor and owner of Destinations by Judy; an exclusive affiliate of Cadence Travel in La Jolla, California. We talk to Judy about current travel trends and tips for planning your next trip.
What You’ll Hear on This Episode:
- What advice does Judy have for people traveling today?
- Why can a travel advisor help when you’re “stuck”?
- How difficult was it to get refunds due to the pandemic?
- Why does Judy recommend travel insurance?
- What COVID-19 safeguards are in place for cruises?
- Why is it especially helpful to use a travel advisor post-pandemic?
- What are the most popular destinations right now?
- What are some of Judy’s favorite destinations?
- How has international travel changed post-pandemic?
- What is Virtuoso?
- What are some examples of customized group trips?
Today’s Takeaway: For many people, there is a renewed desire to travel, soak up new experiences, and connect with their loved ones. In planning vacations, some of us are spending more and venturing farther from home than we might have before COVID-19. Studies are showing that instead of staying in the U.S., many travelers are now booking holidays in exotic locations like Bora Bora. Expedia is referring to 2022 as the year of the GOAT, Greatest of All Trips, as travel-starved patrons are checking once-in-a-lifetime destinations off of their bucket lists. Even those who have opted to stay in the U.S. are staying longer and renting vacation homes through sites like Airbnb instead of hotels, in a desire to make up for lost time with family friends. And, finally, instead of long-delayed honeymoons, some newlyweds are planning destination weddings so they can enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime trip with family and friends. So what are you waiting for? Why not treat yourself and make your travel dreams come true. There’s no time like the present to visit new places and enjoy making wonderful memories. And don’t forget to consult a travel professional to ensure that everything goes smoothly. Remember today is a gift… so go out and enjoy it! I’m Florine Mark and that’s “Today’s Takeaway.”
Quotes:
- “Pack your patience and have a good sense of humor.” — Judy
- “It’s not exactly the same as it was before.” — Judy
- “If you are on your own, you’re on your own. And if you have a travel advisor when you're stuck they can help you get out of there.” — Judy
- “That’s our job to advise you what you need when you go on a trip.” — Judy
- “It’s gotten so complicated with what you need when you go on a trip, it’s much easier to have somebody who’s an expert in it that knows what you need.” — Judy
- “The reason that’s it’s so important to go with a travel advisor is that we have relationships.” — Judy
- “Everybody is having the itch to travel now.” — Judy
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Mentioned in This Episode:
Contact Judy by email at judy.schwartz@cadencetravel.com