Posts by adelldyv34622

Well, where do I start? Today I sit defeated at my computer. A few months ago I had the gall to start planning and booking for clients their dream cosmetic surgery in 2022.  Cancun Mexico? Yes please! Turkey? Don’t mind if I do! My dream travel list grew as vaccinations rolled out. But then the Delta-Omicron tire fire was lit and a fire extinguisher was nowhere to be found. Now the question isn’t where to go in 2022, it’s whether you should go anywhere at all, aside from a meditation studio or a panic room.

With all of that in mind, I temporarily scrapped the list of dream destinations for 2022 (see you in 2023, South Korea) and instead reached out to experts to ask whether travel is a good idea in 2022 — at least the first half of 2022. They (mostly) said there was no need to panic or cancel plans that you’ve already made, but they had plenty to say about how to book a trip, and how to proceed with trips that are already booked.

The advice this week is that Australians wanting to travel to Europe may need to rethink their plans, with the country declared a “Covid danger zone” due to surging Omicron case numbers.

Extra restrictions will be placed on Australian travellers, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated or not.

The directive comes after the US Centre for Disease Control warned Americans to avoid travelling Down Under, declaring Australia “high risk”. Kinda ironic coming from the US!!!!!

While it doesn’t specifically say which European countries and it states very generally that European countries have been advised to block visitors from Australia entirely, or impose tougher restrictions, including quarantine and testing requirements.

This first time since the pandemic began, Australia is on the receiving end of similar bans. We are looking forward to covid numbers going down here in Australia so we can resume our travel plans since the pandemic is unlikely to disappear and life needs to continue, it may still be worth proceeding with travel plans, while taking advantage of all available protective measures.

While the Omicron variant of Covid-19 has been spreading rapidly around the world, travel advisors last week reported that, for the most part, bookings remained intact.

Of course, as with any other Covid-related news, Omicron has caused some cancellations and some rebooking headaches (again). But the good news is, most of the people who want to travel aren’t worried about the new variant.

What is impacting travel, in some cases, are things like travel restrictions and flight cancellations as airlines have smaller crews because of omicron cases. 

But there have been some changes here at NipTuck Holidays…..

The rules for entering Thailand have changed once again!

As we were so excited to confirm our first NipTuck Holidays Group Tour for 2022, the recent Omicron surges here in Australia caused the backflip on reopening Western Australia’s international borders.

While so disappointing, but not surprising according to travel experts who said travel is a good idea in 2022 — at least the first half of 2022.

They (mostly) said there was no need to panic or cancel plans . When travelling expect changes! The key was to flexible and ready to adapt plans.

Here’s what we know about Thailand’s Test and Go so far….

It is back and will re-open for registration from the 1st Feb again.

This will apply to both Thais and foreigners wishing to enter Thailand from any country in the world.

The new rules will feature 2 PCR tests. One on day one when you arrive and one again on day 5.

You must register on ThailandPlus prior to your travel details & pay for these tests in advance.

Nip Tuck Holidays] will assist our clients in this process step-by-step process.

The tests booked as required on our SHA + hotel you are required to stay on arrival pre-surgery and on Day 5.

your surgery can be performed after the first PCR test and when results come back negative. Even if there are further changes and Sandbox back it still does not affect your surgery and we can offer after the first test results on Day 2.

With that said, again, they’re all very aware of travel restrictions because of how clearly advisors at the various brands within the travel industry. We need to  remain very flexible in making adjustments, if that’s needed.

Individual Travel for Phuket is still on as we have clients travelling to Thailand.   For cases if client’s are  testing positive during their journey, we’ve worked with them on making sure they’re in a comfortable and safe environment while they ride out their quarantine that they are fully insured for.

The other major thing that has happened in the last week related to our Group Tour to Phuket in March is WA’s backflip on reopening international borders. This is a major bummer as all flights have been cancelled including the Perth-Phuket via Singapore on Singaopre Airlines for our Group Tour.  This will be until at least the end of April or until Perth borders reopen with no restictions.

Therefore , unfortunately we have to re-schedule our March Group to Phuket.

With that said, again, they’re all very aware of travel restrictions because of how clearly advisors at the various brands within the travel industry. We need to  remain very flexible in making adjustments, if that’s needed.

Individual Travel for Phuket is still on as we have clients travelling to Thailand.   For cases if client’s are  testing positive during their journey, we’ve worked with them on making sure they’re in a comfortable and safe environment while they ride out their quarantine that they are fully insured for. The other major thing that has happened in the last week related to our Group Tour to Phuket in March is WA’s backflip on reopening international borders. This is a major bummer as all flights have been cancelled.

With that said, again, they’re all very aware of travel restrictions because of how clearly advisors at the various brands within the travel industry. We need to  remain very flexible in making adjustments, if that’s needed.

Individual Travel for Phuket is still on as we have clients travelling to Thailand.   For cases if client’s are  testing positive during their journey, we’ve worked with them on making sure they’re in a comfortable and safe environment while they ride out their quarantine that they are fully insured for. The other major thing that has happened in the last week related to our Group Tour to Phuket in March is WA’s backflip on reopening international borders. This is a major bummer as all flights have been cancelled.

What to do? Be flexible and ready to adapt plans

The advice is book something you can cancel or delay Then you can reassess when your trip is closer. It wouldn’t be fun quarantining for a substantial portion of your stay.

Airlines have grown particularly flexible as the pandemic continues. Last week I canceled a trip to see family in Miami less than 24 hours before my departure because of worries about Omicron, and we received a full refund from JetBlue. Most airlines are following the same guidelines. Basic economy fares are usually nonrefundable, so read carefully before you purchase the cheapest ticket.

Likewise, if you reserve a hotel room from a third-party booking site (such as Expedia or Hotels.com), or from the hotel itself, don’t jump on the lowest rate. Those are usually the rooms that are nonrefundable. If you have any worries that you might need to cancel, make sure you can do it without penalty.

In addition to staying flexible, stay on top of travel restrictions and lockdowns. As Omicron surges, many European countries are bringing back restrictions

Buy travel insurance

Travel insurance that includes covid is necessary as an entry requirement into some countries and a must for travelling now.  It’s important to make sure you have travel insurance that covers COVID as well as make sure your bookings are refundable should the situation change. That way, if you do have to cancel, you won’t lose money.

Most standard travel insurance plans do not cover COVID-related closures and cancellations, so when you purchase a policy, make sure it’s a “cancel for any reason” or “change for any reason” policy. These policies are more expensive (prices for travel insurance are based on the protections you choose), but spending more at the onset can save you from battling later to get your money back.

At Cambridge-based Hopper, a company that analyzes flight searches, they’ve noticed an increase in people booking flexible options and also the number of people buying “cancel for any reason” policies. Pre-Omicron, that number was one in every eight international bookings, now it’s one in every six.

Don’t travel unless you’re vaccinated and boosted

This is just common sense. No one (and I mean no one) in the travel industry or the medical world wants you traveling if you haven’t been vaccinated. If you won’t do it for yourself or those you care about, then do it because unvaccinated travel options are shrinking. Most countries require citizens of the United States to be vaccinated in order to enter. Testing alone is not an option. An increasing number of cities (New York, San Francisco, Boston) require proof of vaccination to enter restaurants, bars, and clubs.

The correct answer to whether or not you should travel is that there is no correct answer

The smart advice is conflicting advice! Be bold, but also be cautious. Book your trip with us as we are not cancelling anything anytime!!!!! But be ready to delay and re-schedule it if we have to.

The advice from the travel industry professionals is not to cancel your travel plans but to also get your travel insurance, because the possibility of testing positive remains high move forward, but be prepared to shift gears.

In other words, travel for 2022, at least the beginning of 2022, is starting to look like travel in 2020 and 2021. Hope for the best, but be prepared for all scenarios, good and bad.

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