The summer travel season is starting with a vengeance. After a year of quarantining, we’re all anxious to get back on the road again. But where to go? And what can you expect when you get there? A recent mid-week mini-vacation to the Berkshires taught our family some important lessons.
WHERE TO GO? Like many vacationers we opted for a road
trip instead of flying. There are great
destinations within two or three-hours drive.
But in deciding where to go, remember you’re not just going to see the
sights or visit friends. You’re relying
on local services and the folks who live there and run them.
MASKS OR NO MASKS?: With vaccination levels well
over 50% here in Connecticut and mask
rules relaxed, especially for those vaccinated, you’ll want
to see how your destination compares. Do
you really want to go someplace where vaccination rates or low or mask
compliance is arbitrary?
WHAT’S OPEN? In many parts of the country
restaurants and hotels are still shuttered, so put your spontaneous wanderlust
on hold and do your research. Don’t just
rely on apps or websites. Call ahead and
be sure they’re open.
CAR RENTALS: If you are flying or enjoying Amtrak to
travel and need a car at your destination you
don’t want to be disappointed. Many car rental companies downsized
dramatically during the pandemic, selling off their fleets. Now, because of the chip shortage hitting auto
makers, they can’t get the new cars they now need. Reservations will be a must and car rental availability
may even end up determining where to go.
If you can reserve a car,
prepare for sticker shock as rates have soared, on average double the old
rates.
GASOLINE: Unless you’re driving an
all-electric car, the availability and price of gasoline may also factor into
your plans. In the Northeast
availability was unaffected by the recent Colonial Pipeline shutdown, so the
supply is there. But rising demand will
see the highest
prices in seven years. AAA suggests filling your tank before
arriving at busy resort destinations where prices will be the highest.
STAFFING SHORTAGES: The biggest surprise on our recent
trip was the number of establishments offering reducing hours because they
can’t find staff. Restaurants, coffee
shops, hotels, museums and art galleries were all operating on reduced hours
while their windows were plastered with help wanted signs.
Several owners lamented to me
that they desperately needed servers, kitchen help and sales staff but nobody
was applying. “I need four people right
now,” said one restauranteur, “But nobody wants to work. They’re all making $600 a week on
unemployment!”
This is becoming a serious
issue, not just in hospitality but in transportation.
DRIVER SHORTAGE: Supply chain issues have left some store
shelves empty because the trucking industry says they have a driver
shortage. In some
areas of the country that’s also affecting gasoline deliveries.
In New York City the MTA needs
400 bus drivers, meaning reduced frequency and longer
waits at bus stations just as they’re urging riders to come back to mass
transit. Some school districts are also
having trouble filling bus driver jobs as are tourist
destinations that run jitneys.
But don’t let all of this
frighten you. We all deserve and can
enjoy our summer travels if we just do a little planning ahead.
Posted with permission of
Hearst CT Media.
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