2021: Looking Ahead
As we forge ahead into 2021, there is still a lot of unknowns when it comes to travel. The #1 question I got in 2020 (and already a few times this year) from clients was "when will it be safe to travel again?". I never know how to answer this question because what I've found is that everyone has their own definition of "safe". As we eagerly await vaccination distributions in the USA, I am certainly more hopeful now than I was weeks ago, which is more hopeful than I was months ago. This progress of hope is what keeps me optimistic as I approach 17 months of no travel which is pretty soul crushing for someone who literally opened a side gig JUST for travel! But even with that hope, it is still nearly impossible to say when it will be safe to travel again. However, I have seen the travel industry adjust and company policies morph into some of the most client friendly the travel industry has ever seen and it seems that myself, as well as my fellow travel agents, are starting to sense a light at the end of the tunnel.
SO, with that being said, I'm going to make a conscious effort to get back to "normal". You'll start seeing travel deals popping up on our social media more and more and we're going to start booking trips again for clients who feel safe to travel. Each destination, activity, flight, and hotel booking will be subject to change as covid19 data continues to fluctuate but I am going to try my best to only market packages that come with flexible cancelation or rebooking terms and hope that as the year goes on, more and more people will be able to get back to adventuring.
These are unprecedented and uncertain times, I know many clients will simply not feel safe to travel yet and that is perfectly fine! To be honest, I am holding off on booking any personal travels until summer at earliest. So for those people I will include more information, travel tips, and budgeting ideas with the goal of keeping everyone up to date with current travel conditions as well as motivated to some day be able to travel again.
In the many dark months of 2020 when all client trips were canceled or on hold and there was no use in marketing new products, I took a lot of time to reflect on this company and my goals in starting it. I spent countless hours researching travel providers and building relationships with people there and really firming up the niche that Pathfinder fits into among the many in the travel industry. And as I finish my strategic planning for 2021, I am SO excited about all the things that are in the works, even if it means that some of those things will ultimately not come to fruition until 2022. I hope that all current clients as well as future clients, will be as excited about the future of this company as I am! More details will be revealed in time, but here is a sneak peak at what is in the pipeline:
[] Small group trips (12-15 people max) exclusive to Pathfinder Travel Planning Clients!! This is something that was always a dream but has turned into a reality and I can't wait to get our first Pathfinder Trip off the ground in 2022. Stay tuned for updates on this in 2021 so you don't miss out!
[] Increased focus on G Adventure tours. This is a company that I saw rise above and beyond to not only support their agents but their customers and communities all over the world when many other companies were floundering to find footing in a covid19 world. I cannot wait to share more of the amazing options from this incredible company.
[] More digital content than ever before including some video blogs with advice as well as packing techniques and other helpful travel tips!
So as we look ahead with uncertainty, my goal is to remain optimistic and to continue to provide the best travel options I can to my clients. And, for those of us who are choosing to stay grounded a little while longer, I hope to provide content that makes you even more motivated to travel once you feel safe to do so! 2020 was a doozy and I am certain that the travel industry will look different for a long time to come, but I am also certain that eventually we WILL get back on those planes, those cruise ships, those tour buses, and maybe after all this, we wont even mind a long layover or endless TSA line!
Until then, make sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and join the mailing list to stay up to date on all things Pathfinder Travel Planning!
-Leah