20 | JULY 8 • 2021 

T

hough it seems like the world is 
slowly starting to come out of the 
COVID-19 pandemic, traveling can 
still be a tricky (and sometimes, risky) busi-
ness.
While traveling inside the continental 
United States is still the safest 
bet, travelers may risk getting 
stuck in foreign countries 
due to sudden or unexpected 
COVID-19 restrictions, or in 
the event the traveler contracts 
the illness and isn’t able to 
return home.
Travel agent David Fishman, 61, of 
Cadillac Travel Group, says some clients are 
also facing canceled trips, particularly on 
European cruises that are now being put on 
hold for the remainder of the year. Despite 
selling tickets to customers, the cruises are 
being canceled.
Fishman says the COVID-19 pandemic is 
the biggest upheaval the travel industry has 
faced in his nearly 40 years of work, with the 
closest similar event being 9-11.
Fishman says travel planning is a “day-by-
day” experience. “Things could shut down 
or something could change by tomorrow,
” he 
advises. “It really depends on vaccines, out-
breaks and a number of other things.
”
Yet this hasn’t stopped people within the 
Jewish community from traveling. Fishman 
has seen a huge uptick in “bucket list” travel 
planning and what he calls “revenge trav-
el” — people hoping to travel extensively to 
make up for the lost year of travel in 2020.

With the travel industry back to 60% 
normal operation, in Fishman’s estimation, 
he believes the world will see a tremendous 
growth in travel once things become more 
stable and steady.
In the meantime, there are several steps 
people can take to travel smarter and more 
safely and comfortably, particularly for those 
who are taking their first trip since COVID-
19 restrictions have lifted or might be on the 
fence about planning a trip.

PICK CONSISTENT DESTINATIONS
Though countries that have just lifted travel 
restrictions may seem tempting to travel to, 
Fishman says opting for a more consistent 
choice can give you peace of mind (and ide-
ally, uninterrupted travel plans). 
 Traveling within the continental United 
States is a lower-risk choice for Americans. 
Fishman also notes that Mexico has been 
very consistent, making it a great vacation 
spot to consider. Some Caribbean islands 
and Costa Rica have also proven reliable, 
Fishman says.

DO YOUR RESEARCH
Once you settle on your location, it’s import-
ant to do as much research as you can. Look 
at everything and then some. Even within 
the continental U.S., restrictions can vary 
state by state, meaning museums and other 
attractions may be temporarily closed in the 
city you’re traveling to. Or, they may offer 
limited tickets on an advanced reservation 
basis. State-by-state restrictions can also 

impact hotel availability, amenities and even 
dining options near you.
For those traveling internationally, it’s 
important to know quarantine policies both 
in your arrival and departure cities. Travelers 
should also be wary of how international 
countries handle positive COVID-19 cases 
to avoid an unfortunate scenario of getting 
stuck somewhere.

CONSIDER TRAVEL INSURANCE
Fishman says, above all, travelers should 
consider travel insurance to cover the unex-
pected. This can be especially helpful for 
surprise medical costs, interrupted or can-
celed travel plans and more common issues 
like lost luggage. Now, with the COVID-19 
pandemic adding an extra layer of uncer-
tainty and chance to most travel plans, he 
says it’s better to be safe than sorry.

DO ONLY WHAT MAKES YOU 
COMFORTABLE
At the end of the day, it’s smart to pick a trip 
(if any) that makes you feel comfortable. If 
you’re not physically or mentally ready to 
travel yet, that’s OK. Vacations are for fun, 
enjoyment and relaxation, and you’ll want to 
be able to do all three without having wor-
ries in the back of your mind. While some 
people might want to dive right into travel-
ing, others may want to start small (such as 
a quick local trip) and slowly build their way 
up to a level of comfort that works for them.
Ultimately, Fishman says being prepared 
is your biggest defense. “Know your cover-
age,
” he advises. “
And be flexible with your 
plans.
” 

OUR COMMUNITY

Taking your fi
 rst post-pandemic trip? 
Here’s what experts want you to know.

ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Taking your fi
 rst post-pandemic trip? 
Travel Tips

Dramatic sunset in Cabo San 
Lucas with the view of Lands 
End at the horizon, Mexico.

David 
Fishman

Tourist walking on a hanging 
suspension bridge in the 
jungle of Monteverde Cloud 
Forest, Costa Rica.

