Experts say Michigan residents should begin making their holiday travel plans now. Plus, if traveling abroad, there are some things you should know, as it relates to COVID.
Hard to believe its already time to start planning for holiday travel. But in hopes of avoiding high prices and even finding a seat, travelers are making a move. A new AAA Travel survey shows nearly half or 46-percent of Michigan residents book their holiday trips by the end of October.
Travel Expert and owner of Gagnon Travel, JoAnne Verboom also says, its time.
“If you plan on going away for Thanksgiving travel or Christmas it is important you look for airline tickets very quickly. Because, even though there might not be quite as many people flying this year as a couple years ago, flights are full and there are fewer flights because of the pandemic.”
Verboom says if your travels include going abroad, you need to know that come November 8th, some new rules will be in place, for the vaccinated and the unvaccinated alike.
“For U.S. travelers, if you are vaccinated, and returning to US on a flight ,you still need to show proof of vaccination and you’ll have 3 days prior to return flight to be tested for COVID. However, if you’re not vaccinated, you will need to provide a negative COVID test within one day of your return flight.”
Meantime, AAA reports traveler confidence hit a snag, but say enthusiasm could rebound through the end of the year. COVID-19 cases in the U.S. are trending lower again, which is what 41% of Michigan residents said would need to happen in order to feel more comfortable traveling.
Two in five Michigan residents say they plan to take a vacation of three days or more during the 2021 holiday season. AAA also reports that about a third of Michigan residents without holiday travel plans are staying home for fear of contracting or spreading COVID 19.