Tammy Levent Speaks about TRAVEL TREPIDATION AND THE CORONAVIRUS
National TV Travel correspondent, Tammy Levent is the CEO of Elite Travel, an award-winning national travel agency named the fastest-growing and most trusted in the nation and she is also the founder of TASK (The Travel Agent’s Success Kit™) a business that helps struggling travel agencies successfully adapt to this new age of travel.
Here are a few of her important touchpoints!!
- To Cancel or Not To Cancel:
- Unfortunately, there is no “one-size-fits-all” answer. The decision depends on when and where you are traveling and what your current health condition is. Monitor news updates and travel alerts regularly but be pragmatic and avoid making rash decisions. If your vacation is more than a month away, waiting to cancel may be a strategic move. The epidemic is fluid and changing every day and things may be different in 30 days. You can always change the date for a later time. Although there may be small cancellation penalties, talking to a travel agent can help.
- Need to know health tips for travelers
- I ALWAYS.. ALWAYS, TAKE CLOROX WIPES WITH ME AND WIPE DOWN THE SEAT IN FRONT OF ME HEADREST. THINK OF ALL THOSE WHO PUT THEIR FOREHEADS, HANDS, ETC., I WIPE DOWN THE TRAY, ARMREST, AND SEAT BUCKLE AND BACK HEADREST. BEEN/ SHUT MY VENTILATION OVER MY HEAD. BEEN DOING THIS FOR YEARS. NEVER GET SICK
- Never put your suitcase or purse on your pillow. – Think of all of the places your purse and luggage have been! They touch the bathroom floor, the airport floor, the street, the pavement – yuck.
- No matter when or where you are traveling, one thing is clear: basic hygiene is the best means of prevention. Wash your hands with soap and water several times a day, especially before eating. Avoid touching your face or putting your hands in your mouth.
- Where not to travel
- IF THE CDC OR WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION HAS PUT OUT A DO NOT TRAVEL ELEVATED WARNING THEN DO NOT TRAVEL THERE. IF THEY SAY DO NOT GO TO CHINA OBVIOUSLY YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GO TO CHINA EVEN IF IT MEANS YOUR BUSINESS IS AT RISK IF YOU ARE GOING FOR BUSINESS. YOUR HEALTH IS MORE IMPORTANT. TRAVEL SMART THAN NOT TRAVELING AT ALL
- Insider tips to avoid fees and penalties.
- FIRST BEFORE YOU EVEN BOOK A TRIP EITHER ONLINE OR WITH A TRAVEL PROFESSIONAL MAKE SURE TO ASK ABOUT CANCELLATION POLICIES. WE NEVER BOOK CLIENTS IN NON-REFUNDABLE HOTELS. MOST ONLINE BOOKINGS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE, NEXT GET CANCEL FOR ANY REASON INSURANCE, THIS WILL NOT COVER YOU MEDICALLY IF YOU CANCEL YOUR TRIP 100 PERCENT. BUT YOU CAN CANCEL YOUR TRIP FOR ANY REASON AND GET A FULL REFUND. IF YOU DO ADD THE MEDICAL COVERAGE YOU WILL BE COVERED MEDICALLY AT 100 PERCENT AND CANCEL FOR ANY REASON ADDED AND GET 75 PERCENT BACK OF YOUR MONEY IF YOU CANCEL FOR ANY REASON AND NOT A MEDICAL REASON. WHEN I TRAVEL, I GET CANCEL FOR ANY REASON AND MEDICAL INSURANCE TO COVER ME IF SOMETHING HAPPENS OVERSEAS. ON AVERAGE CANCEL FOR ANY REASON COSTS ABOUT 130 TO 150 PER PERSON.
- NEXT, YOU CANNOT GET ANY FEES WAIVED OR CANCEL FEES UNLESS THE CDC OR WORLD HEALTH SAIS NO TRAVEL THERE, THEN THE AIRLINES, HOTELS ETC. ARE FORCED TO CANCEL AND REFUND YOUR TRIP.
- YOU HAVE PLANNED THIS TRIP BECAUSE YOU WANT TO GO, SO GO. MAYBE YOU WILL HAVE TO CHANGE YOUR TRAVEL PLANS AND GO A LITTLE LATER, IM SURE THAT IT WILL BE ALOT EASIER TO MOVE YOUR TRIP PLANS AND GET WAIVERS FOR MOVING THE DATE OVER THAN WAIVERS FOR A COMPLETE CANCELLATION.
United Kingdom, Italy, Sicily and Dubai Travel I also asked specifically about the destinations I am heading to! Here are some of her thoughts on those regions.
- The UK is very congested, just like NYC so take extra precautions (basic hygiene: carry wet wipes or hand sanitizer, wash your hands, don’t touch your mouth, etc.) and, if possible, avoid big crowds.
- The coronavirus was in Venice…not Rome, Florence, or Sicily. Still, it’s best to avoid big crowds
- TIP: If you do the Vatican, the best time to do it is before or after hours. (They have an early tour/admission around 7:30 am as well as a late one after closing. You have to sign up ahead of time and it costs about 20 dollars more, but it is a good option because it is 100 people or less.)
You can check out more about Tammy at tammylevent.com
She is the founder of Elite Travel and her non-profit, It’s My Bag, is an organization that donates suitcases to children in foster care.
Safe Travels Everyone – Please be Aware, Be Prepared and Be Safe!