SUMMER TRAVEL: IS IT IN JEOPARDY?
Some tourism spots hitting the brakes; others taking guests with caution
The rise in U.S. and California coronavirus infections is sending a new wave of worry through the economically battered tourism industry — just as popular destinations around the world are starting to greet summer travelers.
Yosemite National Park has postponed opening more campgrounds until at least August because of COVID-19 concerns. Disneyland’s plans for a celebratory reopening July 17 — its 65th anniversary — have been canceled while the theme park awaits guidance from the state. Internationally, the European Union will decide soon whether to ban U.S. travelers when member countries open their borders July 1.
“The situation has changed in the last 48 hours. People who were having second thoughts are now having third thoughts” about traveling, said expert Christopher Elliott, who writes the syndicated Travel Troubleshooter column.
With the United States registering its highest level of infections, “a lot of responsible hotels and restaurants are wondering, ‘Should we even be open if people are going to come and get infected?’ They’re weighing that against, ‘Can we afford not to be open?’ It’s a damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don’t situation,” he said.
AAA forecasts that Americans will take 700 million trips — that’s 15% fewer — from July 1 through Sept. 30 compared to the same period last year. It’s the biggest hit to summer travel since the post-recession year of 2009, the report issued Thursday said.
“The pandemic wiped out 150 million road trips this summer,” Aldo Vazquez, spokesman for AAA Arizona, said, adding that Americans still want to travel but are taking a more cautious waitand-see approach. “They’re staying informed, not just about their state but across the country. Their plans might change. They’re waiting for the last minute.”
According to the report, road trips may decline by only about 3%. But air travel is expected to drop 74% and the cruise, rail and bus travel category 86%.
Many fly/rail destinations may be challenging choices anyway. The states of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut are requiring visitors from states with high rates of infection to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. That applies so far to Texas and Florida — where the governors shut down the bars on Friday — along with Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, North Carolina, South Carolina and Utah. East Coast officials are keeping an eye on California.
The state of Hawaii, whose economy hinges on tourism, has for months required a two-week quarantine for those arriving in the islands.
Europe may not be an option for Americans — at least not yet. As it prepares to reopen borders, the European Union is considering prohibiting travelers from the United States and other countries with high rates of infection. That ban could come just as Paris has reopened the Eiffel Tower this week and gets ready to unlock the Louvre; museums in some other countries, including Italy, Austria, Switzerland and Germany, have been allowing socially distanced attendance for weeks.
Western U.S. destinations are welcoming visitors, but some have instituted new, stricter protocols as the number of local cases has risen.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration is allowing many counties to invite travelers to their beaches, mountains, wineries and bed-and-breakfast inns — even though the state is still officially suggesting residents stick close to home. A week ago Newsom made the wearing of face masks mandatory.
Yosemite, which draws travelers from around the nation, opened two campgrounds on June 11 but decided to hit the pause button on others because of coronavirus concerns.
In Arizona, Gov. Doug Ducey last week left the issue of requiring masks up to local governments. So far, several, including Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe, have announced such rules.
And in Nevada, with its lure of Las Vegas, Gov. Steve Sisolak has ordered that facial coverings be worn in all public places — including casinos — starting today. An increase in virus cases prompted the edict. If gamblers and other customers don’t comply, the casinos could face discipline by the Nevada Gaming Commission.
MGM Resorts’ acting CEO, Bill Hornbuckle, told the USA Today Network that the mask rule may not deter tourists. “The reaction and response we’ve had after reopening has been beyond our expectations. We still think there’s opportunity to come.”
All of those “open for business” signs may make the U.S. road trip the summer vacation of choice for Californians concerned about the course the coronavirus may take — and the early bookings for hotels and rental cars bolster that prediction, the AAA’s Vazquez said.
“You’re safer in your own vehicle,” he said. “You’re in control of the environment.”
Besides, “Gas prices are the lowest they have been in four years.”