New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Jan Louise Jones: UNH prof sees yellow light on wanderlust
“I literally love travel,” says Jan Louise Jones. “I love promoting travel, I love to encourage travel, but I’m not going anywhere now, unless I have to. And I’m from another country.”
Jones studied sociology in her native Canada and then did a study program in Cuba before choosing a Ph.D program in recreation and leisure management at UConn. Years later, she’s a professor at the University of New Haven and an expert in tourism, hospitality, event management and rec/leisure studies — areas pummeled by the coronavirus shutdown.
The toll on the hospitality industry is heavy, she agrees: “Some of them are only at 10 to 20 percent capacity, if they’re even allowed to be open,” Jones said in a phone interview.
“There’s so many limitations given the situation and safety issues ... that it’s just had a horrible impact on travel and hospitality in general,” Jones said of restrictions on such places as restaurants or theaters.
For airlines, only neccessary trips are happening in domestic travel, she said of the evolving comeback scenario, with leisure travel following that. “In terms of international travel, that is going to be hit the hardest ... people leaving the country or even being allowed in certain countries.”
The biggest challenge for travel-related companies is convincing travelers that there’s enough sanitizing going on and that it’s basically safe, she said. Cruises are particularly tough since many people have to take a plane to get to the cruise, among other issues.
Shortand longterm changes are in the works for transportation. “I think for right now temperature checks and thermal scans ... can become the norm until we do have a vaccine,” Jones said. “In the short term, people are still going to be very nervous about this . ... ” And psychological affects will linger long-term.
As far as the people crowding into bars without face masks at the first chance they get, Jones said, “That’s the challenge of it; people are getting sick of it (quarantine) and they want out.”
Jones is dealing with her own losses as a world traveler. She typically runs a month-long trip to Prado, Italy, to study new niche markets, and does a food and culture cuisine class “where we travel around; it’s really awesome. Our students get to see behind the scenes of how food is made in Italy; just the passion that they have for food there.” But that’s all been pushed to 2021.
Jones has spent 20 years doing research and serving on scientific committees on sustainable tourism in more than 14 countries. Sustainable
tourism means not overcrowding places like Venice or Rome, and responsible tourism is recognizing you’re in someone else’s culture and being respectful of that, she said.
We asked Jones about the differences between here and Canada in approach to COVID issues and travel.
“In Canada, things are generally more federally coordinated ... so most provinces step in line in terms of whatever the overarching regulations are federally,” she said. “In the United States, there are federal restrictions... but state by state really has a lot more power and individual ability to make changes.” She said she’s more comfortable with the clearer federal messaging of Canada.
Her advice to travelers in 2020 is being respectful of restrictions in place, not trying to go too far soon and to find reputable sources, such as state and province tourism bureaus online, for trip advice or prep.
“And for right now, it’s still (about) following CDC guidelines — staying a distance from people, not gathering in large groups and having personal devices to keep yourself safe, like face masks. Be prepared to sanitize your own areas is another thing I would encourage.”