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I Just Tested Positive for COVID. Should I Get on the Plane Anyway?

This is an ethical dilemma many of us are now facing: Is it OK to fly when I’ve got COVID? Outside’s travel expert weighs in.

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I’m about to go on spring break, and if I test positive for COVID before flying home, I can’t afford to isolate for five days in a place or miss extra work. It seems like everyone is coughing and sneezing on planes these days, and folks are opting to fly anyway. As much as I want to be a conscientious traveler, why should I pay another thousand bucks to stay in a hotel and quarantine for five days when nobody else appears to be doing that? —Weary of the Pandemic

You’re right. Most Americans are tired of dealing with pandemic rules and regulations—including the government. On January 30, President Biden announced that, as of May 11, the administration would officially shift away from treating COVID as a national public-health crisis and instead begin to manage it more like the flu or other seasonal respiratory disease. But does that mean we should be flying if we’re infected?

If you travel, even infrequently, and haven’t yet grappled with this question, chances are you will. I found myself in the throes of such a predicament right before the holidays. I was on assignment in Antarctica on a 100-passenger cruise ship, and although cruises were considered a hotbed for the coronavirus in the early days of the pandemic, almost two years later, any fear of catching the virus had faded from my mind. I should have known better and read the obvious signs: namely, being welcomed aboard by masked staff.

In hindsight, I probably should have taken a COVID test before flying home to New Jersey for Christmas to see my virus-phobic mom and immune-compromised aunt. But I’d been vaccinated, did not feel sick, and assumed that if anyone on the ship had gotten sick, we would have been alerted.

On the ten-hour leg of my flight from Buenos Aires to Houston, I sat next to a lovely elderly couple from the cruise, both of whom were vigilant about keeping on their N95 masks. Two days after I returned, I received an email from a passenger I’d befriended, who reported that at least a dozen people on the cruise had come down with COVID—including the couple I sat next to on the plane.

“Yes, I felt like an asshole,” a friend of mine who recently flew home when she thought she might have COVID admits. “Yes, I worried that I could’ve infected someone with a weak immune system. But people are coughing and sniffling on planes and in airports all the time.”

Thankfully, I tested negative, but the incident made me realize how easily I could have unknowingly gotten my family sick, perhaps with serious consequences. It also made me consider what the travel repercussions of testing positive might have been: missing Christmas with my family and having to quarantine alone in Ushuaia, Argentina, for at least five days (as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

When I mentioned the situation to a friend, she admitted she’d recently taken a flight to Oahu, even though she knew she had COVID. “It’s so unethical, but I honestly was adamant about this trip,” she confided. “I needed a vacation, and I felt totally fine. I wore a mask, obviously.”

With Relaxed COVID Requirements, Many Sick Travelers Have Opted to Fly

We all have our reasons for traveling while sick. For better or for worse, sidestepping COVID guidelines has become much easier for travelers. For more than a year, providing timely proof of a negative COVID test ahead of your flight was a pricey, stressful hassle. So, as a road warrior, I was relieved when the CDC dropped this mandate for domestic travel last June. (Regulations for international travel have largely followed suit, with very few nations still requiring testing or proof of vaccination for inbound passengers; a full list of country-specific entry requirements can be found here .)

Quarantining while traveling has also been a costly and inconvenient part of the pandemic, as anyone who has been required to do it can attest. Now given the choice of traveling with COVID or hunkering down and isolating, which could cost thousands of dollars in hotel fees, room-service meals, missed work, and child care, many choose to fly infected with the coronavirus. And there are no rules stopping them from boarding a plane.

Last August, Ellen (not her real name) started to feel a tickle in her throat on the final day of her weeklong trip to Kauai. “I thought, Oh shit, I cannot get COVID right now,” she recalls. Her first vacation since pandemic travel restrictions had relaxed was, it turns out, anything but relaxing: The town of Hanalei felt super crowded. Restaurants averaged two-hour waits for dinner. And everything, from her Airbnb to meals, was expensive.

In this transitional period of the pandemic, many people are already treating COVID like the flu or a cold, says Henry Wu, director of the Emory TravelWell Center in Atlanta.

“By the last day of the trip, I started feeling run-down, and I really wanted to get home,” she says. “I didn’t want to be isolated in a last-minute, overpriced hotel room for five more days on the island and deal with flight-change costs. Not to mention my partner and I were due back at work.”

Ellen decided not to test before her flight back to the mainland, rationalizing that germs were everywhere and other passengers on her flight likely had COVID, too. She took extra precautions to assuage her guilt, double-masking with N95’s and sanitizing her hands more frequently than she normally would. But by the time she got home from the red-eye flight, she had a fever and sore throat, and when she finally took a COVID test, it was positive. Her partner, who had been around her unmasked at the height of contagion, never got sick.

“Yes, I felt like an asshole,” she admits. “Yes, I worried that I could’ve infected someone with a weak immune system. But people are coughing and sniffling on planes and in airports all the time.”

Amid the height of cold and flu season, it can seem like everyone traveling has a sniffle and the majority of people aren’t letting any illness—a common cold, COVID, or RSV among the top three this year and difficult to discern, based on symptoms—cancel big plans. In mid-January, Jamie DeLancey flew from Denver to San Francisco to watch the 49ers play in the NFL’s wild-card championship game, with what he assumed was a bad cold. He’d come down with COVID before and this felt different, so he did not test, noting that he hasn’t found such tests to be reliable. While he wore a mask on his flights, he didn’t wear one at the game.

In this transitional period of the pandemic, many people are already treating it like the flu or a cold, says Henry Wu, director of the Emory TravelWell Center in Atlanta. “In a way, that’s a logical rationale if you’re vaccinated and unlikely to get sick,” he says. “But that’s not the reality for some people who are elderly or immune-compromised. In many ways, things haven’t changed. If you’re sick and in contact with them, you could put them in the hospital.”

The CDC continues to advise avoiding travel if you are sick with or have tested positive for COVID, and isolating for at least five days after your positive test if you’re either asymptomatic or your symptoms first appear; following these guidelines, you should test again on day six and then wear a high-quality mask, such as an N95, when outdoors between days six and ten if you are around others, including on a plane. Whether the masses of travelers adhere to these is another thing altogether, as we’ve all seen play out on airlines.

How to Avoid Frustration, Fees, and Questionable Choices if You Get COVID Before or During a Trip

When Ross Holbrook flew from Denver to San José del Cabo, Mexico, with his wife and two young daughters last May, he watched his seatmate chug a bottle of DayQuil cold medicine. Holbrook was vaccinated and wearing a mask, but on day three of their family vacation, he tested positive for COVID; by day eight, his wife and one of the girls were also positive. Their Airbnb had a pool, so they made the best of things, but due to the mandatory quarantine rules in effect at the time, the family estimates they spent nearly $3,000 extending their car and Airbnb rentals. “We did consider driving home,” he says, but that idea was abandoned as impractical.

Five extra days in a destination like Mexico or Hawaii can cost a small fortune, not to mention difficult to find a room at the height of spring break or summer travel. What if you can’t afford to isolate and stay extra days in a place if you get COVID? Should you put off travel completely? Not necessarily, but you should have a COVID game plan that protects others, says Richard Martinello, the medical director of infection prevention at Yale New Haven Health in Connecticut.

“We all have busy lives, but as part of society, we have responsibilities not to put others in harm’s way, like not driving drunk,” he says. “Putting yourself in prolonged close contact with fellow travelers when you are knowingly sick, whether with COVID or any other contagious virus, is irresponsible. You never know who you’re sitting next to on a plane. If they’re immune-compromised, even a cold could push them over the edge to serious illness.”

Martinello acknowledges that the average traveler can’t afford to miss five additional days from work and home, so if you must travel sick, he suggests driving rather than flying or another form of public transportation. That said, if a partner or friend will be driving with you, they should be aware that you’re sick, he says, so they are consenting and can test and isolate appropriately.

Stuck somewhere like Hawaii, where flying home is the only option? Take every precaution to limit contagion spread. Wear an N95 mask. Paper surgical masks are the next best option, and homemade cloth masks even have some value in preventing the spread of germs, he says. You can also request to be moved next to an empty seat.

Check Your Airline’s COVID Policies

Several airlines, including Delta and United, continue to waive change fees for travelers looking to rebook due to COVID. Hawaiian Airlines will allow a one-time ticket change (with the difference in fares charged) for the same circumstances. Purchasing travel insurance for a flight also covers most COVID cancellations and rebookings.

Such thoughtful policies have prompted some travelers to make the morally conscious decision when illness sets in. Carmino DeMecurio was one of those people. He was booked to fly from New York City to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for a business trip on January 19, but tested positive for COVID on January 16. He canceled the entire trip and said Delta immediately issued him an e-credit for a future flight. He was able to call in remotely for his meeting. “It wasn’t ideal to be the only person on a screen, but out of respect for others, it seemed like the right decision,” he says.

Consider Getting Travel Insurance

While airlines can be accommodating, quarantine lodging accommodations can be the real zinger for travelers. According to a spokesperson for the American Hotel and Lodging Association, it’s up to individual hotels to decide whether to offer a discounted rate if a guest must extend a stay due to quarantine. If you’ve splurged on a big trip, or you’re traveling far from home, trip insurance might be a smart investment. Allianz Travel Insurance recently added an Epidemic Coverage Endorsement to some of its plans. Under this new policy, if you have proof—a PCR test or a physician’s note—that you’ve tested positive for COVID during a trip, you can be reimbursed for unused, prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs, as well as additional accommodation and transportation costs incurred, depending on which situation applies.

Allianz’s OneTrip Basic policy, for example, offers up to $10,000 in trip cancellation and trip-interruption benefits per insured person, while the OneTrip Prime , the company’s most comprehensive policy, covers up to $100,000 in trip cancellation and up to $150,000 in trip-interruption benefits, with the option to tack on what’s called a Cancel Anytime upgrade, an option that reimburses travelers for up to 80 percent of prepaid, nonrefundable expenses for a trip that must be canceled for almost any reason not already covered by the policy.

According to an Allianz spokesperson, travelers can typically expect to pay 5 to 6 percent of the cost of their vacation for a standard travel-insurance policy. Actual prices will fluctuate based on a traveler’s age, state of residence, primary destination, length of stay, and total cost of their trip. For example, a 34-year-old from California traveling to Africa for a $9,700 three-week safari would pay $443 for a policy.

So should you travel with COVID if you come down with it on your upcoming spring-break trip? That depends on how prepared you are with a contingency plan, an adequate insurance policy, and the risk you’re willing to take when it comes to your personal health and the health of others, as you can still be hospitalized and even die from the virus. Not least is the ethical consideration of it all. Martinello advises travelers to follow the simple golden rule of “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” And if you don’t trust your fellow air passengers—which, as this article reflects, are generally as eager to get away or get home as you are—do everyone a favor and wear a mask.

Any number of concerns are on our radar as we plan our next trip, from serious issues like how destinations are working to mitigate tourists’ environmental impact to inconveniences like months-long passport wait times. In this column, our travel expert Jen Murphy will be addressing your questions about how to navigate the world. Check out her previous  column, on how to avoid bed bugs during your next hotel stay, here . 

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WELCOME TO MYFLIGHT FORECAST™

MyFlight Forecast™ gives you, the passenger, and access to Flying Weather Forecast data that pilots will review prior to every flight. While a pilot will review much more data, data that they've spent years learning to interpret, this site breaks down the most relevant data for the passenger to determine flight conditions, potential flight and airport delays, and most importantly, flight turbulence forecast.

Reference Weather Radar to determine the location of precipitation (Snow, Rain) and where it is located relative to your flight path. Pilot Tip - Just because you see areas of precipitation, does not mean that you will necesarily be flying through it! You might be miles above it!

Reference the Satellite page to locate clouds, or areas of decreased visibility. While clouds can generally increase the likelihood of turbulence while flying through them, keep in mind, clouds are just moisture, or water. Water is generally not that scary. Not all clouds that appear on the satellite imagery can guarantee areas of turbulence, it greatly depends on the stability of the atmosphere.

Get your Flying Weather Forecast before and during your flight - receive real time turbulence reports and discover where turbulence has been reported by aircraft currently in-flight

Type in the three letter identifier (ex. JFK, LAX, ORD) of the airports that you are travelling to and from, and get real time information on any potential airport delays due to; Wind, Visibility, Weather or delays due to volume.

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CNN Commercial

Unwto and cnn partner on ‘travel tomorrow’ campaign.

Inspiring people to dream of destinations to visit and  Travel Tomorrow , when it is safe to do so, is the message behind a newly launched CNN campaign which was devised for the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

The 60 second film, which runs on CNN International, takes viewers around the world, reminding them of the wonders beyond their neighbourhoods.  Travel Tomorrow  aims to drive imagination for future trips featuring adventure, business, culture, family and friends.

Produced by Create – CNN International Commercial’s (CNNIC) in-house creative studio – the film features eight different countries and conveys optimism for prospective journeys. Recognising that travellers of the world have been grounded by Covid-19 and are missing exploring different locations and meeting new faces as they did pre-crisis, it highlights the importance of holding on to hope of travelling when the time is right, and encourages viewers to be enthusiastic about the places and people that they will soon be able to visit, in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) guidance. This also reflects the UNWTO’s messaging throughout the pandemic.

“Travel and tourism is by far one of the most affected sectors as a result of this pandemic. Our commitment to supporting this industry is based on our work over many years with the UNWTO, its members around the world and other travel and tourism destinations. It is important to share this responsible yet aspirational message with CNN’s global audience, reminding people that while many have to stay home today, to not stop dreaming about where they want to travel to tomorrow.”  Rani Raad, President, CNN Worldwide Commercial .

“In these challenging times we must all play our part – staying home today, supporting the efforts of the global healthcare community in combating COVID19 – so that we can #TravelTomorrow. But this does not mean we should stop dreaming about the places we will one day travel to. I am excited by this new initiative created by CNN, a valued partner of the UNWTO, to keep the world connected to the people and places that wait for us when we can once again enjoy the gift of travel – a sector that will  be critical to global economic recovery, unity and opportunity.” Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary General of the UNWTO .

Inspiring people to dream of destinations to visit & #TravelTomorrow , once it is deemed safe, is the message in a new @CNNCreate campaign for @UNWTO . The film encourages imagination of future trips including adventure, business, culture, family & friends https://t.co/jJk3mV8q3T pic.twitter.com/2wBajlguSW — CNN International PR (@cnnipr) May 26, 2020

Tough times for tourism, but UN travel organization predicts holiday traffic will return

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Tourism may have been brought to a near-standstill by COVID-19, but the industry – which accounts for 10 per cent of global GDP – finds itself in a unique position to help put the global economy back on its feet, once the pandemic has passed. 

Who is doing what and where to protect tourism from the worst of #COVID19?🗺️Our interactive map provides regular updates on the steps being taken to mitigate the impact of the crisis on our sector.Stay informed and help tourism prepare for recovery!🔗 https://t.co/EvuodEAUmI pic.twitter.com/qAeVgTE4Gg World Tourism Organization UNWTO

That’s the view from the World Travel Organization ( UNWTO ), which is closely monitoring the new coronavirus crisis from its Madrid headquarters and collaborating with other UN agencies on ways to mitigate its impact. 

Millions of jobs potentially lost 

“COVID-19 has impacted travel and tourism like no other event before in history”, said UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili, ahead of a meeting last Thursday of the agency’s Global Tourism Crisis Committee at its Madrid headquarters. 

That committee, which brings together participants from around the world via video-teleconference, is tackling such key questions as how borders will reopen, what mobility will look like and what tourists will be seeking when they emerge from so many weeks of self-isolation at home. 

 “With tourism suspended, the benefits that the sector brings are under threat”, he said.  “Millions of jobs could be lost and progress made in the fields of equality and sustainable economic growth could be rolled back.” 

Sector well-placed to lead recovery 

But he also emphasized that tourism – which employs one in 10 workers worldwide, and with a proven track record for resilience during the 2008-2009 financial crisis and the 2003 SARS outbreak - is also well-placed to lead future recovery. 

“Our sector will provide the jobs people need to bounce back and will drive economic growth that will help whole communities and countries to recover”, he said in a statement in mid-March. 

Political and financial commitments are key to ensuring that tourism can lead wider economic and social recovery.  The UNWTO is thus calling for financial and political support for the tourism industry, and for the sector to be included in wider recovery plans and actions. 

“For now, we must be patient and stand ready”, the UNWTO chief said.  “By staying home today, we can travel tomorrow. And travelling tomorrow will support jobs, celebrate culture and promote international friendship and understanding.” 

30 per cent drop-off 

According to UNWTO estimates, global international tourist arrivals in 2020 could fall by 20 to 30 per cent compared to last year.  That translates into a loss of $30-$50 billion in spending by international visitors. 

To put that in context, in 2009, on the back of the global financial crisis, international tourist arrivals fell by 4 per cent, while the SARS pandemic in 2003 led to a decline of just 0.4 per cent. 

The Word Travel and Tourism Council ( WTTC ), an industry group, meanwhile says that up to 75 million tourism-related jobs are at immediate risk, with the Asia-Pacific region expected to be most heavily impacted with up to 49 million jobs at risk. 

No room at the inn 

What’s more, 96 per cent of all worldwide destinations have put into place travel restrictions in response to the pandemic, the UNWTO said this week.  Some 90 destinations have completely or partially closed their borders to tourists, while another 44 are closed to certain tourists depending on their country of origin. 

Having said that, given uncertainty over how the crisis will unfold, UNWTO is stressing that estimates must be treated with caution, and that current forecasts might well need to be revised. 

Avoiding the airport 

Over at the International Civil Aviation Organization ( ICAO ), the Montreal-based UN agency said this week that, according to preliminary estimates, the new coronavirus outbreak will see airline passenger numbers drop by 503 million to 607 million in the first half of 2020, compared to initial forecasts for the year. 

The biggest impact is expected to be felt in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, followed by North America and the Middle East, ICAO said. 

On Wednesday, ICAO encouraged national governments to ensure efficient authorizations for the entry, departure, and transit access of flights intended for the repatriation of their foreign nationals and other eligible persons. 

Eighty percent of the global tourism sector is made up of small- and medium-sized enterprises, according to the UNWTO, which has long promoted the industry’s key role in fulfilling the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development . 

Big Apple no more?

Typical of these is a New York City travel agency run by Zhan Di that caters to tourists from China.  It had expected 22 tour groups during the Spring Festival (Lunar New Year) holiday season that started on 25 January.  Only two arrived. 

Coronavirus Portal & News Updates

To make ends meet, Mr. Zhan has redeployed his small fleet of minibuses to deliver Amazon parcels, hopeful that if the pandemic runs no longer than three to five months, Sino-US tourism will blossom anew. 

“The epidemic situation is not only a big test for our industry, but also for the whole world,” he recently told UN News.  “However, I believe that the economy will recover quickly … because this is not a regular economic recession, but an epidemic situation.” 

“Therefore, I think the recovery should be very fast - and I am still optimistic.” 

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• Coronavirus FAQ

Coronavirus, Illustrated

Coronavirus faq: i took a trip and caught covid. what should i do when can i go home.

Marc Silver

We regularly answer frequently asked questions about life during the coronavirus crisis. If you have a question you'd like us to consider for a future post, email us at [email protected] with the subject line: "Weekly Coronavirus Questions." See an archive of our FAQs here .

I flew away on a trip ... and I caught COVID. Now what?

So you've joined the millions of travelers who are taking off this summer, headed for vacations, weddings, family reunions, conferences. And you flew to your destination.

You arrive, you're having a great time. Then you feel a little off. Your throat is scratchy. Maybe you start coughing. Or your head feels as if it is about to float off your body like a rogue balloon.

Sigh. Time for a COVID test. The bad news: You're positive!

What do you do now? Where do you stay? Can you score some Paxlovid if you're a good candidate for this or another anti-COVID drug? And the big question: When can you fly home? True confession: It happened to me. Here's what I learned from the experience and from interviews afterward with COVID experts.

Prepare for COVID before the trip starts

Actually, the first question is: Did you prepare for a possible COVID case before taking off?

Any traveler who has yet to go on a summer trip needs to keep in mind that the pandemic is still going on. Surges are happening across the U.S. and in popular tourist destinations like France, Italy and Spain.

That means your trip planning can't just focus on what to see and where to eat. You need to think about COVID prep, too. The COVID experts we interviewed suggest these pre-trip steps:

• Pack self-tests and high quality (N95 or KN95) masks. Because you sure don't want to have to hunt them down in an unfamiliar place. Also: bring along a thermometer and pulse oximeter so you can monitor your health should you get infected.
• Make sure you have easy access to your online medical records. In the event you need to seek antiviral treatments, the prescriber needs this info to determine if you have any health issues or are taking medications that might cause problems if you start a Paxlovid regimen.
• If you're eligible for a booster, roll up your sleeve before departing. It's not ironclad protection against infection but could mean a less severe course of disease.
• If you're going out of the country, consider buying travel insurance. A policy can ensure that you can get care in a foreign country or a medical evacuation if need be.
• Check to see if your destination country has any COVID testing requirements for arrivals or departures. (The U.S. last month dropped its requirement that arrivals from other countries test for COVID.) But finding out the rules and regs in another country can be tough – websites can't always keep up with all the updates, notes Dr. Henry Wu , a professor of infectious disease medicine at Emory University and director of its TravelWell Center. A tour operator or hotel where you plan to stay might be a good pre-trip source if you strike out in your hunt for official info online.
• Brush up on local medical source. If you're in a country that doesn't have a strong health care infrastructure or is in a remote area, see if you can get the answer to this question from a local source in advance, Wu suggests: Where should I call if I become really sick?
• Be prepared financially. You'll want to put aside some extra money for your trip if COVID strikes, to spend on additional nights at a hotel and unexpected health-care and other costs.
• Finally, if you know anyone at your destination, touch base with them before departing. They could be your guardian angel if you need a COVID assist. Make sure you have their contact details in case of emergency.

What to do when you get that positive test

Now, back to our drama: I went on vacation and all I got was a lousy case of COVID!

When you find out you've got COVID, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has this recommendation: "Do not travel until a full 10 days after your symptoms started or the date your positive test was taken if you had no symptoms ." The goal is to keep you from infecting others while you are still contagious.

So you'll have two types of concerns: rearranging your travel plans – and figuring out when you can return home.

Coronavirus FAQ: Should I still take a COVID test before flying into the U.S.?

First, let's consider the immediate logistics.

Where will you stay?

You can try to extend the course your current lodging. Hotel representatives we interviewed suggest asking the property if they're open to a guest who's isolating with COVID. A hotel that says yes will probably also tell you that there will be no housekeeping services — but you can ask for towels, room service or food dropped off from a delivery app to be left outside your door (which should have the "do not disturb" sign on the knob at all times). If the hotel isn't open to hosting a guest with COVID or your room just isn't available, look for a new lodging option.

Uh-oh. My rental car is due back!

Unless you can drop it off in a contact-free situation and walk back to your isolation lodging, you've got a dilemma. Fortunately, rental car companies understand. Really. Of course, different companies have different options. Gabriel, a very helpful customer service rep for Avis, says that depending on the circumstances, his company might send a team to pick up the car, arrange for a tow or authorize another driver to return the car. Or if you want to hold onto the car until you're recovered, they might be able to extend your rental, perhaps at a reduced rate given the circumstances.

If all else fails, you can rely on the kindness of others. When I found myself in this situation, my daughter's friend's boyfriend offered to return our car – about an hour's drive. I paid for his Uber back but he wouldn't take a penny for his good deed. As my daughter's friend put it, "being sick [is] a tricky pickle to be in right now. We would love to help."

Getting Paxlovid (or another antiviral treatment)

Even if you'd like to bring a precautionary stash of the drug on your trip, you are not allowed to do so by the terms of the Food and Drug Administration's emergency use authorization for Pfizer's Paxlovid pill , which is recommended for people at risk of severe disease, like older folks or those with certain medical conditions.

Coronavirus FAQ: I took Paxlovid. I felt better. Then symptoms rebounded. What's up?

But time is of the essence with Paxlovid. You want to start your twice-daily dose of three tablets within 5 days of testing positive. You can contact your primary care physician and give them the name of a local pharmacy. Or you can Google a telehealth portal that will take your info and put in a prescription. That could cost around $75 for the service. Or you can take advantage of the brand-new FDA ruling. Not every pharmacy is on board, but pharmacies that offer "test to treat" services are a likely option. Check out the Department of Health & Human Services' online locator tool to find participating pharmacies.

And, um, how do you get the prescription if you have COVID? The pharmacy I used told me, "You know you CANNOT COME IN to pick up the pill because you have COVID." Some pharmacies do have delivery or drive-through options. If you have a family member or friend at your destination, ask a favor. If you're out of options, you could turn to an online service like TaskRabbit, which can help you find someone to hire to run an errand for you.

If the only alternative is picking it up yourself, says Dr. Jill Weatherhead , assistant professor of adult and pediatric infectious diseases at Baylor College of Medicine, "make sure you have on a KN95 or N95 mask."

When can I come home?

That's the big question, of course. The CDC's 10-day guideline is what infectious disease doctors recommend as well. It's definitely prudent.

"We have isolation protocols for a reason – to reduce the spread for others," says Keri Althoff , an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. And there is a risk of spread "if you're sitting next to someone on a plane" – or any kind of transportation, like a bus or train, that puts you near others. What's more, the person in the next seat could have underlying conditions that puts them at severe risk if they contract COVID.

But no authorities in the U.S. enforce the 10-day rule.

And waiting 10 days to end isolation can be a challenge.

"Being far away from home is not ideal. Home is more comfortable," says Dr. Preeti Malani , an infectious disease physician at the University of Michigan. Being stuck a few hundred miles or more from home when you're down with COVID can be stressful – you may feel pressured to return to work after 5 days off, face child care issues, worry about home and garden upkeep or whether your pet sitter can keep on the job.

"Don't underestimate the mental gymnastics of trying to figure out when to head home," says Althoff. "It's emotional, it's mental, it's financial. It's hard." And you're trying to make these decisions at a time when you're not feeling well.

What's more, even CDC advice is a bit confusing because there's another piece of its guidance that recommends 5 days of isolation after an infection while you're at home and not on a trip. For folks who aren't traveling, CDC says: "People with COVID-19 should isolate for 5 days and if they are asymptomatic or their symptoms are resolving (without fever for 24 hours), follow that by 5 days of wearing a mask when around others to minimize the risk of infecting people they encounter."

The end result is that many people are making their own decisions about when to travel.

Some travelers who just tested positive for COVID might say, I'm going home right now. BAD IDEA. Not only because they're putting others at risk, but because they may find that if the flight is long, they could grow sicker and sicker as the hours pass. All the experts who we interviewed agree: Don't do it!

(As an aside, our panel of experts also stressed that an uninfected traveler should assume that if they're on a plane, bus or train, there's going to be at least one passenger with COVID, which is a good reason to continue to mask up while traveling.)

Other COVID travelers might feel up to driving after, say, a few days, so they'd cancel the flight and rent a car – contact-free, of course – and head home. But, of course, that's easier to do if it's an 8-hour drive versus a 3-day expedition that involves finding places to stay and eat without putting others at risk.

And then there are folks who figure, maybe it's OK to isolate until they're feeling better – then they'll make the journey home. And maybe that's sooner than 10 days.

Keep in mind that you are typically most contagious in the 2 days prior to a positive test and the 5 days after, says Weatherhead.

"If you're feeling better and symptoms are going away after that 5-day period [when you're most infectious], travel is still not recommended — but putting on an N95 while traveling would be best," she says.

But symptoms aren't always a reliable barometer of your condition. "It's hard to know how infectious you are," she adds. Coughing of course is a way to spread the disease, but "a lot of people have coughs for weeks and that doesn't mean you are infectious."

Are tests useful?

The infected traveler might figure that a negative COVID test is a thumbs up to fly home. But you could test positive for many days after symptoms are gone – one NPR colleague saw the positive line pop up for 20 days. And the doctors we interviewed said by that time, you're likely not carrying enough viral load to infect others. Even if you are testing positive after, say, a week, "there is a very low probability of transmission if you are feeling asymptomatic," says Althoff.

So let's say your symptoms are pretty much gone — and it's been, oh, 5 to 7 days since you first tested positive. How do you travel without putting others at a big risk?

"If you feel bad, don't travel," says Baker.

But if you're feeling OK enough to make the journey, wear a mask – preferably an N95 that fits well. "In the name of goodness, think about those who are around you," says Baker.

Should you share your diagnosis with your seat mate?

A colleague had an interesting question. If you're flying home, say, a week after your first tested positive, should you inform an unmasked passenger next to you?

"I think that would cause pandemonium on the plane," says Baker. "I would keep my mask on and lean away." And maybe have a snack and a beverage in an isolated corner of the airport before you board the plane so you don't need to drop your mask for a bite or a sip.

Also, even though we're all pandemic weary, it's important to take stock of how far we've come. Here's Malani's assessment: "If two years ago you told me we'd have tests we can put in our pocket — and if we get sick, [be able to] call up a virtual portal and five minutes later get an antiviral prescription ... no one could have imagined that!"

Your Turn: Did you get COVID on a trip? How did you handle it?

Email [email protected] with the subject line "COVID on Vacation" and share your story. Include your full name and location, and we may include your response in a story on NPR.org. We are taking submissions until Tuesday, July 12. Update: This callout is now closed. Read some of our reader submissions here .

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UN Tourism | Bringing the world closer

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#TravelTomorrow

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the world to a standstill. Tourism has been the hardest hit of all economic sectors, and in many places the most vulnerable members of society will suffer the most.

However, tourism has shown an unparalleled ability to recover from crisis. Furthermore, the sector is uniquely positioned to lead wider societal recovery, driving economic growth, creating jobs and transforming lives.

When we # TravelTomorrow , we will do so for the right reasons:

• For the solidarity we are witnessing today across the world.
• To learn from different cultures and to return home enriched.
• To support the jobs which go hand in hand with tourism as a sector that reaches every level of society.
• To advance development and promote sustainability .
• For the opportunities that come with discovering the world around us.

To ensure the core values of tourism live on, UNWTO has called on the global community to start looking to the future and has convened the Global Tourism Crisis Committee.

It comes down to fostering collaboration between nations and between the public and private sectors. We are working to ensure that the sense of cooperation and human spirit that has characterised the response to the challenge of COVID-19 will be carried forward into the recovery phase.

What To Do If Your Passport Expires Just Before You’re Supposed To Travel

Whenever you're thinking about vacationing somewhere international, the very first thing you should do, before absolutely anything else, is check out your passport , specifically the expiration date. Even if you think you have a while before it expires, even if you just used it, even if it's a pain to find it. Trust us: If your passport expires and you need to travel , you are going to deal with a whole slew of problems that no one wants to deal with.

But we all make mistakes sometimes. It can be easy to get caught up in the vacation-planning moment and book plane tickets before making sure your passport is still usable. It's happened to the best of us: you plan everything out, you're ready to go, and sometime in the near future before your trip, you look at your passport and realize it has expired already.

If this happens a few months before, you're probably OK — you can just get it renewed. Even if this happens a few weeks before, it'll be fine — sure, you're going to have spend more money for a rush renewal, but it'll work out. But, if it happens a few days before? Well, that's a whole other story.

Here's the thing when traveling with a passport: if you are flying international, it absolutely cannot be expired. In fact, it can't even be close to expiring: for travel in nearly every other country, including Canada and Mexico, you won't be able to fly if your passport is expiring in the next six months. So, not only do you need to make sure your passport isn't expired already, but you need to make sure it won't expire within six months of your travel date.

If you do notice your passport is expired or expiring soon, is it worth it to still head to the airport and try to get on an international flight? In a word, no. It's really not. Airport security will almost definitely not let you get on the plane, and you'll just end up wasting a lot of time and money. If, for some strange reason, you're able to board with that passport, don't forget that coming home from a foreign country could be a very different story. Do you really want to get stuck in another country without a passport? Probably not.

If you're flying domestic , however, an expired passport shouldn't be an issue, as long as you have another valid form of United States identification, like a driver's license. You don't need a passport to fly within the U.S., you just need a valid ID. So, if your passport is your only ID, and it's expired, then it isn't valid and won't work. But if you have other photo ID, like your license, you'll be fine.

What are you supposed to do if you're flying international and have just realized your passport is no good? You have two options: attempt to get an expedited passport in time, or cancel and reschedule the trip. If you want to get an expedited passport, it's possible - it will just cost you some time and effort.

As soon as you figure out that your passport is expired, try to make an appointment with the U.S. Passport Office (that's if you have more than 18 hours but less than two weeks before your flight). If you can't do that, get to a passport agency immediately. Get ready to wait on a long line and probably do a bit of begging. You should also come prepared: in some states, you will need proof of travel within 14 days. You'll also need to pay , which can vary, but will likely be around $170. Check out the list of agencies on the official government site, because they aren't in every state.

Expediting your passport should work out, but there are no guarantees that you'll get it in time if you are trying to right before your flight. So, it's always best to play it safe! Keep on top of your passport expiration date, and save yourself the trouble.

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I Lost My Passport and I Fly Tomorrow

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

You’re all packed for your trip when suddenly you realize, “I can’t find my passport!” Panic sets in. You’ll need your passport to board your flight, and you begin to wonder what to do as you frantically search for it.

If you can’t find your passport, stay calm, even though it feels like a disaster. Believe me, I know, as it’s happened to me. As someone who’s lost a passport before a flight, I’ve been through several scenarios on how to rectify the situation.

Unfortunately, the pandemic set in motion a delay that continues to make applying for, renewing or replacing a passport much more time-consuming than before. But, don’t lose hope.

There are ways to solve this problem, though you’ll need patience, travel flexibility and some extra money to pay for the inconvenience of replacing a lost passport the day before a flight.

Here are some helpful suggestions if you can’t find your passport, but remember each person will experience different hurdles depending on where they are, their travel timeline and the reason for travel.

What to do if you lost your passport in the U.S.

First of all, if you’re flying domestically, you don’t need a passport to travel — you’ll simply need official U.S. identification, like a driver’s license.

If flying internationally and you lost your passport before a flight, the speed at which you can get your passport replaced will come down to the purpose of your travel. If you’re traveling for vacation, the priority for the passport agency to replace it will be lower than if you’re traveling for an urgent work trip or a family emergency.

Make an appointment

Your first step to getting a last-minute replacement of your passport is to try to secure one of an extremely limited number of appointments at a passport agency. Call 877-487-2778 to see if there is availability at one of the 26 regional passport agencies across the country.

Since you will need to report to the office in person, you may have to fly or drive to one that is some distance away, which can be costly. In my experience, I had to fly to New York, and I met people from Anchorage, Honolulu, Denver and Tucson in line with me.

Appointments are for those with emergency needs, those traveling internationally within two weeks or those who need a foreign visa within the next four weeks. Since your flight leaves tomorrow, you’ll want to act fast. Keep in mind, getting an appointment is tough, but there’s always a chance that a last-minute spot has opened up.

Still, the likelihood that your application will be processed in the next 24 hours is slim — unless you live right next to a passport agency and are lucky enough to score an appointment there. It’s wise to begin thinking about delaying your trip a few days, looking for an alternative domestic destination or postponing the trip entirely.

Don’t go to one of these agencies in hopes of a walk-in appointment — you will be turned away. Also, it is important to note that if you do get an appointment, it can still take the entire day — or longer — for the replacement passport to be issued.

Once you secure an appointment, you'll want to move quickly to make the flight or travel changes you think might be necessary, keeping in mind that a replacement may not come the same day as your appointment. Mine took 36 hours despite the fact that I sat there all day waiting.

» Learn more: Do you need a passport for a Caribbean cruise?

Use a third-party expeditor

If you’re traveling for vacation, applying for a replacement passport through a passport expeditor can simplify the process, albeit for a fee. Options include companies like RushMyPassport and CIBT . Both can help you get a replacement on a faster timeline than applying on your own through the post office. Just keep in mind that post-pandemic delays have slowed the process.

You might have to pay several hundred dollars for their help, but for those in a rush, this is the best option. Contact the company directly to find out which expedited options are available to you.

If you apply on your own through the U.S. Department of State, it can take as long as 10 to 13 weeks to replace a passport, or seven to nine weeks if paying the passport agency for expedited service. Using a third-party expeditor can cut this timeframe substantially, sometimes to as short as one week or less.

If you do decide to reschedule your trip, keep in mind that if you have travel plans within nine weeks, it’s possible to make an appointment for a replacement passport.

If you’re traveling for an emergency

If you lost a passport before a trip and have a family emergency (such as a death or imminent death), you have a higher priority than leisure travelers for getting a replacement. You’ll need to have proof of the situation as well as your travel itinerary.

The National Passport Processing Center allows immediate family members in this unfortunate situation to make an urgent appointment at a passport agency if traveling within three business days. You can call 877-487-2778 during business hours or 202-647-4000 (after 8 p.m. ET on weekdays or weekends) for an appointment if you are traveling for a life-or-death emergency situation.

» Learn more: What to do if you lose your passport

What to do if you lost your passport abroad

Passport replacement is a different process if you’re already outside the U.S. You’ll need to seek out your closest U.S. consulate or embassy, which may only be open on weekdays. This means you’ll need to begin rescheduling your remaining travel plans, as replacing the passport may not be immediate, especially if it’s the weekend.

When you’re traveling by air, you need to complete Form DS-64 for lost or stolen passports, as well as the standard DS-11 form when visiting the embassy. If your passport was stolen, it’s recommended to bring a police report, too. Proof of immediate travel, a passport photo and another form of U.S. identification are also necessary.

When a replacement passport is issued outside the U.S., you may receive an “emergency passport.” These temporary documents allow you to travel right away, but you’ll need to apply for a normal passport book when you return home.

» Learn more: Can you take your own passport photo?

How to avoid extra costs from a trip delay

If you used a credit card with travel insurance to pay for your trip, you may want to contact the card issuer’s insurance carrier to see if your policy covers expenses you incur while dealing with your lost or stolen passport. With many policies, this is a covered reason for a trip delay. Some hotels may also be generous or flexible if you contact them directly and explain your situation. There are no guarantees, but it’s always worth a try.

» Learn more: How free travelers insurance through credit cards works

Do you have to report your passport lost or stolen?

As soon as you’ve exhausted every possible avenue in your search for your passport, it’s in your best interest to report a passport lost or stolen to have it invalidated. This is to help you avoid any type of identity theft by someone who comes into possession of it. Just remember that once you report your passport lost, if you find it again, it’s no longer valid and you can’t use it to travel. So search very carefully, as there’s no turning back. Believe me, I learned that the hard way.

Note that reporting it lost or stolen doesn’t start the process for a replacement. To get a new passport, you’ll have to appear in person with form DS-11 to apply for a new one.

What to do if you lost your passport the day before a flight

There are steps you can take to replace your lost passport. You’ll need to be flexible with your travel plans, take urgent action with next steps and be willing to pay the extra expenses to get a passport quickly.

Unfortunately, it’s not easy to get a passport on the same day, and it requires some luck to get a last-minute, same-day appointment. In these situations, you still may not be able to make your flight the next day, but you might be able to salvage part of your trip if you can’t postpone it entirely. Life-or-death emergencies will have priority for faster application processing.

Either way, replacing a passport at the last minute is an extremely frustrating process, and post-pandemic delays in processing haven’t helped.

That said, losing a passport isn’t the end of the world — try to put things in perspective to not be too disappointed. There are methods to get a replacement passport, but they requires patience.

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On a similar note...

Destination readiness: Preparing for the tourist flows of tomorrow

Tourism can help build a more connected, more vibrant world. But as tourism grows rapidly, the most visited destinations are experiencing more concentrated flows (Exhibit 1). Recent satellite data suggests that 80 percent of travelers visit just 10 percent of the world’s tourist destinations. The number of travelers and the frequency of their trips are only set to increase.

A large flow of tourists, if not carefully channeled, can encumber infrastructure, harm natural and cultural attractions, and frustrate locals and visitors alike. Today’s tech-enabled travel landscape can exacerbate this issue: one eye-catching photo on a social media network can make a little-known attraction go viral.

About the authors

This article is a collaborative effort by Caroline Tufft , Margaux Constantin , Matteo Pacca , and Ryan Mann , with Ivan Gladstone and Jasperina de Vries, representing views from McKinsey’s Travel, Logistics & Infrastructure Practice.

Against this backdrop, now is the time for tourism stakeholders to combine their thinking and resources to look for better ways to handle the visitor flows of today—while properly preparing themselves for the visitor flows of tomorrow. We offer a diagnostic that destinations can use to spot early-warning signs about tourism concentration, followed by suggestions for funding mechanisms and strategies to help maximize the benefits of tourism while minimizing its negative impacts.

Carrying capacity and its impact on destination readiness

Carrying capacity refers to the maximum number of visitors that a destination can accommodate without causing harm to its physical, economic, and sociocultural environment or compromising the quality of visitors’ experiences. To effectively manage carrying capacity, destinations must first understand their specific limits—then actively work to stay within them.

When a destination exceeds its carrying capacity, the negative effects of tourism may begin to outweigh the benefits (Exhibit 2). Shutting down tourism isn’t always feasible or sustainable. Instead, destinations should focus on increasing their carrying capacity to enable more growth. By adopting early-detection mechanisms and attentively managing carrying capacity, destinations can strike a balance between welcoming visitors and preserving natural and cultural assets and quality of life for residents.

In 2017, leveraging the growing availability of data about travelers, McKinsey, in collaboration with the World Travel & Tourism Council, developed a diagnostic tool  to help spot early-warning signals that a destination is under stress from tourism. 1 “ Coping with success: Managing overcrowding in tourism destinations ,” McKinsey, December 14, 2017. This year, we have updated this tool to address the evolving nature of the challenge and the accessibility of more nuanced and precise data (see sidebar “Methodology for assessing destination readiness”).

Methodology for assessing destination readiness

Utilizing information from vendors, publicly available databases, and press searches, we measured airline traffic, accommodation booking activity, and traveler sentiment. 1 Diio Mi; International Air Transport Association; Mabrian Technologies; Oxford Economics; Tripadvisor; UN World Tourism Organization; World Travel & Tourism Council. We also incorporated analysis of data sets obtained from travel-focused groups such as the UN World Tourism Organization and the World Travel & Tourism Council.

Our intent was to identify metrics that indicate the potential effects of concentrated tourism. We examined metrics affecting the following six categories:

• Local economy: measuring the potential risk of dependence on tourism based on the speed of tourism growth over the past five years and tourism’s contribution to direct employment and GDP.
• Local community: measuring the concentration of tourism in city centers based on inbound arrivals, nights stayed, and tourism accommodations per square kilometer.
• Tourist experience: measuring overall tourist sentiment based on reviews of top 20 attractions and guest satisfaction regarding accommodations.
• Infrastructure: measuring potential overloading risks caused by tourism based on the seasonal intensity and geographic concentration of visitor arrivals.
• Nature and the environment: measuring risks to nature based on carbon emissions generated by travel and sustainability commitments pledged by local hotels.
• Culture and heritage: measuring potential threats to cultural sites based on the concentration of visitors at these sites.

Starting with a list of 65 major, representative cities, we’ve separated locations into quintiles indicating levels of potential risk and negative impact stemming from tourism flows (Exhibit 3). While this data is focused on metropolitan areas, the approach can be replicated for all sorts of popular destinations—from beach towns to mountain villages to religious sites.

Destinations can be grouped into the four following archetypes, based on whether they are struggling with visitor flow and whether they have developed tools to manage it:

• Seasonally overloaded destinations pair high visitor concentrations with limited tourist-flow-management capabilities. These cities may have room to expand their visitor management tool kits to enhance the experiences of both locals and tourists. Representative examples include Cancún, Dubrovnik, and Marrakech.
• Increasingly stressed destinations currently receive limited numbers of visitors but exhibit signs of stressed infrastructure resulting from limited tourism flow management. These cities could both boost their visitor numbers and improve their visitor infrastructure. Representative examples include Los Angeles, Manila, and Mumbai.
• Actively managed destinations receive high concentrations of visitors and have developed robust visitor management flows in response. Continuous monitoring and innovation could help these cities continue to adequately manage carrying capacity. Representative examples include Amsterdam, Bangkok, and Dubai.
• Balanced-capacity destinations receive relatively fewer visitors but have already implemented sophisticated tourism-flow-management systems. These cities can focus on boosting their visitor numbers while actively monitoring the impact of this growth. Representative examples include Abu Dhabi, Lima, and Singapore.

Seasonally overloaded: Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is an intensely seasonal destination, with roughly 20 times more inbound airline seats made available for sale during its peak season (July and August) than during low season (January and February). The density of vacation rentals can reach about 90 postings per square kilometer in summer. The city is a popular stop for Mediterranean cruises, and its small, history-laden center can experience concentrated tourist footfalls when a ship is in port.

Dubrovnik falls in the top quintile of risk in four of our six categories, although it has begun taking significant steps to combat overcrowding. The city recently banned new private-rental permits in its historic Old Town neighborhood to counter rising rent costs for locals, 1 Sanjana Shenoy, “Croatia: Historic city Dubrovnik bans new rental permits to curb overtourism & help locals,” Curly Tales, March 15, 2024. and it’s also reorganizing cruise schedules to better stagger visitor flows.

Increasingly stressed: Mumbai

Mumbai is well positioned to capitalize on booming Indian tourism, but the city could benefit from building out its visitor-management-flow systems. Mumbai has the lowest tourism density relative to its population of all cities in our data set, yet visitors report some of the same concerns seen in more popular tourism hot spots, including long waits for entrance to attractions and a plethora of guides and vendors competing for attention. Road traffic is a major detriment to the visitor experience, with tourists in 2023 experiencing an average travel time of 20 minutes to cover ten kilometers.

The city has ambitious plans to reduce congestion with new metro and highway systems that could benefit both locals and tourists. It might have additional room to increase carrying capacity by addressing current visitor pain points—for example, by installing modernized metal detectors to smooth entry into major attractions or by creating centralized guide booths at attractions to help visitors find licensed guides.

Actively managed: Amsterdam

Given Amsterdam’s small geographic footprint, its extreme concentration of visitors puts significant pressure on local infrastructure—affecting the daily experiences of both tourists and residents. It has tried to actively manage tourism through measures such as its recently announced moratorium on hotel development 1 Charlotte Van Campenhout, “Amsterdam bans new hotels in fight against mass tourism,” Reuters, April 17, 2024. and a ban on public smoking of cannabis in its red-light district. 2 “Amsterdam to ban cannabis outdoors in red-light district,” Reuters, February 10, 2023. It has also used marketing to promote less-well-known areas in an effort to channel some visitors away from the most crowded neighborhoods. Amsterdam uses data gleaned from social media and behavior tracked on its tourist-friendly city card to analyze tourist flows and spot areas under stress.

Balanced capacity: Singapore

Renowned for an automated metro train line, futuristic downtown core, and cutting-edge innovation, Singapore has the infrastructure, resources, and practices in place to grow and support larger tourism flows. It currently ranks 56th out of the 65 cities we analyzed in terms of inbound visits per square kilometer.

Singapore’s limited land mass does tend to concentrate visitor flows at top attractions, which could create threats to cultural sites and negatively affect the experiences of both visitors and locals. Recent development projects have expanded the depth and breadth of tourist offerings, creating new attractions that could help increase the city’s carrying capacity and keep it primed for future growth.

Funding destination readiness

Once the need for destination readiness has been identified, questions turn to funding. Destinations should carefully consider which sources and mechanisms to use to generate the revenue needed to address the impacts of tourism—and ensure that the burdens don’t fall disproportionately.

Devise permit systems for individual attractions

Requiring visitors to obtain a paid permit before viewing an attraction can generate revenue while simultaneously helping to manage capacity. Permitting systems are most effective in places where demand frequently exceeds capacity and, if left unchecked, could risk causing harm to ecologically or culturally sensitive locales. Galapagos National Park in Ecuador, for instance, uses a strict permitting system with entrance fees that are applied directly toward preservation efforts.

A potential downside of permit requirements is the financial barrier for tourists who have less ability to pay. Many destinations have instituted lotteries that govern the opportunity to purchase an affordable permit, though this also reduces the funding generated by this strategy. It’s worth noting that there can be limits to the effectiveness of permitting systems: Mount Everest’s sky-high fees haven’t reduced demand from climbers.

Capitalize on major, one-off events

The city of Vancouver was able to use the planning process for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games as a catalyst to unlock government funding for long-desired infrastructure development—including road and train projects that had been stalled for more than a decade. While there’s risk that any given future mega-event won’t lead to sustained tourism demand, it can lead to lasting infrastructure improvements that benefit locals 2 Nelson Bennett, “Path to 2010 Olympics built from asphalt, steel,” Vancouver Is Awesome , February 11, 2020. for years to come.

Explore public–private partnerships

Destinations can pursue public–private partnerships to accelerate development and spread out risk. Common examples of this approach include cofunded or cobuilt event centers or museums. Exclusive concessions established and granted by destinations can provide revenue-generating opportunities to operators or leaseholders in exchange for financial returns and other commitments, such as pledges to sustainably develop and maintain a location or to support local education, infrastructure, and healthcare.

Ensure proceeds from tourism are invested where they are needed

Cities shouldn’t underestimate the strain on waste, water, and road infrastructure that tourism can create. In places where visitors significantly exceed local populations, tourism tax revenue can be budgeted into core municipal expenses, such as road maintenance and waste management, so that repairing wear and tear caused by visitors doesn’t fall entirely on locals. Tourism taxes and entry fees can be redistributed to local communities or used for preservation or restoration projects.

Managing capacity and mitigating negative impacts from growing tourist flows

After risks and funding sources have been identified, there are several promising strategies that the tourism ecosystem can employ to prepare for growing tourist volumes. They are most effective when coordinated across a broad set of stakeholders, including city governments, destination management organizations, hospitality companies, experience providers, transportation authorities, and airlines:

• Build and equip a tourism-ready workforce.
• Use data to manage and forecast visitor flows.
• Be deliberate about which tourist segments to attract.
• Distribute visitor footfall over space.
• Distribute visitor footfall over time.
• Be prepared for sudden, unexpected fluctuations.
• Preserve cultural and natural heritage.

Build and equip a tourism-ready workforce

Preparing a tourism workforce goes well beyond making sure that staff at a reception desk are polite. Tourism stakeholders should strive to ensure sufficient labor supply by fostering interest in the tourism sector, training entry-level workers in soft skills, and providing ample opportunities for career advancement. Training can be a collaborative effort by the public and private sectors.

Africa’s not-for-profit Female Guide program partners with leading safari providers to sponsor, train, and employ African women who are interested in conducting safari tours. 3 Sandra MacGregor, “I went on a safari in Botswana with a female guide—here’s why it made all the difference,” Travel + Leisure , December 23, 2023. The alcoholic-beverage company Diageo hosts training for hospitality students near Da Nang, a tourism hot spot in Vietnam, covering bar knowledge, teamwork, and customer service skills.

Regulating and credentialing locals who are part of informal tourism economies can help raise service standards and create more positive tourist experiences. For example, Singapore’s efforts to legalize and license street vending resulted in UNESCO recognition of its street hawker culture. 4 “Hawker culture in Singapore,” National Heritage Board, accessed May 2024.

Use data to manage visitor flows

Destinations can build and continuously improve holistic data monitoring and forecasting systems. Data can be gathered from governments (visa tracking), businesses (accommodation bookings and event ticket purchases), social media platforms (user behavior), and other sources. Crowd monitoring tools can provide real-time data about the location of mobile phones to help forecast and manage visitor flows.

Some destinations provide value in exchange for data. For instance, the I amsterdam City Card offers tourists access and discounts to attractions while tracking where the card is used (see sidebar “How Amsterdam handles its tourist flows”).

How Amsterdam handles its tourist flows

Geerte Udo was CEO of Amsterdam & Partners until earlier this year, when she stepped down after 17 years. Amsterdam & Partners is a public–private foundation that focuses, in part, on managing tourism in the Amsterdam metropolitan area. McKinsey spoke with Udo about Amsterdam’s efforts to handle its large tourist flows. The following is an edited version of the conversation.

McKinsey: How does Amsterdam balance the positive aspects of tourism with some of the challenges that hosting large numbers of visitors can create?

Geerte Udo: We’re very lucky in that we have a beautiful city that sells itself. People want to come here. And the visitor economy has a lot of benefits. It creates jobs, it pays taxes, and 30 percent of our public transport is financed by visitors. Our residents love the cultural infrastructure we have here, and we couldn’t support it by ourselves. We love the diversity and quality of our restaurants and bars, which are also supported by visitors. We need our visitors because they raise the quality of life for our residents.

But there are elements of the visitor economy that can harm the quality of life in the city. We’re seeing more and more visitors because the general income of people across the world is rising, and everybody wants to travel. Like other European cities that are old harbor cities with narrow streets, we have moments where we deal with overcrowding. This is mostly in the old city center, on a few narrow streets, at certain days and times. But the public space there isn’t well organized and can’t handle the number of people who want to go there.

Another issue we have is nuisance. Our city has a reputation: if you want to have a party, come to Amsterdam. It can be very annoying for residents in certain neighborhoods when visitors come to party from Thursday through Sunday evening. It makes it hard for people to live there.

There’s also an issue with managing the amount of waste in the city. Because we have more guests, there’s more waste in the street. And there’s a separate issue with private, short-term rental properties, which can sometimes crowd out housing that’s built for residents.

McKinsey: Are you able to gather data and use it to get insights that can help you handle tourist flows?

Geerte Udo: We have a lot of sources of data. At a European level, we share data with 110 European cities to see what the latest traveler trends are. We can learn from one another and understand, for instance, if a trend is only happening in the northern part of Europe or also in the southern part. More locally, we have a national data center that can tell us how many people visit the city, how long they stay, which countries they come from, their ages, and other factual information.

Our organization also does its own research on visitor behavior. For instance, we sell an I amsterdam City Card. It gives visitors free access to public transport, museums, and various attractions. We sell about 150,000 to 200,000 cards a year, and because people need to check in with our card at the locations, we can see their movement patterns. Over time, we’re able to anticipate when and where people will go. For instance, many people visit museums in the morning and then go on a canal boat ride in the afternoon. We can advise first-time visitors to reverse that order because they’re likely to have better, less crowded experiences that way.

But nudging people only works if you can connect to their needs. We wouldn’t tell a first-time visitor to venture out to a neighborhood that’s not well-known—we understand that if they’re here for the first time, they really want to see the highlights. Whereas if you’re here for the third time, and we know what you’ve been doing and a little bit about your preferences, we can guide you to other neighborhoods and areas we think you’ll enjoy.

We know from data that there’s a trend in behavior where, after 2.4 days, people are often ready to explore beyond the city. This number is similar in other cities, as well. After 2.4 days, people start to ask, “Can you show me where I can get some fresh air for a half day?” And we can then offer them guidance on visiting beaches, windmills, and so forth.

McKinsey: What are some mitigation strategies that you’ve tried or considered?

Geerte Udo: One thing we’ve put effort into is branding and marketing concepts. If people come to our city thinking that everything is in the canal district, it’s hard to guide them to other areas. So we’ve tried to build our image into much more than the canal district, expanding interest into other areas that all have different identities and different flavors.

There have been years of discussions about gating certain areas and charging fees to enter them. That might help generate revenue that the city can spend on cleaning streets and improving the subways, which would be beneficial for the tourism industry. But in my opinion, charging fees or raising tourist taxes won’t reduce visitor numbers at all.

We’ve spent a lot of time with city hall looking into the best ways to organize public spaces. For a long time, urban planning didn’t even take visitors into account when thinking about how to arrange public space. To truly manage visitor flows, there needs to be a bigger-picture, integrated approach to how a city is organized.

None of this will reduce the number of travelers because travel is growing so fast. But we can guide visitors to disperse them across time and space, minimize overcrowding, and put less pressure on the old city center. I think guiding and spreading tourism really can work if we manage to match supply and demand.

Comments and opinions expressed by interviewees are their own and do not represent or reflect the opinions, policies, or positions of McKinsey & Company or have its endorsement.

Be deliberate about which tourist segments to attract

Different tourists arrive with different kinds of baggage—literally and metaphorically. Destinations can be strategic in identifying the types of tourism they want to encourage. Some destinations might welcome (and be able to handle) party crowds, while others might be more interested in attracting families or older travelers. Destinations should work to understand the demographics, preferences, and behaviors of their target customers before tailoring offerings and communications that will appeal to them.

Bhutan requires a sustainable development fee of $100 per day from visitors. This requirement serves to limit the number of visitors and their impact on the small nation while simultaneously creating a sense of exclusivity that spurs increased interest from international travelers.

Distribute visitor footfall over space

Nudging tourists to visit less trafficked areas can help ease congestion at the most famous and popular attractions. This can work at a neighborhood level: pop-up experiences and off-the-beaten-path tours hosted by local guides can entice tourists to explore farther afield. It can also work on a wider geographic scale: TikTok’s “destination dupe” trend surfaces less expensive, less crowded locales that offer many of the same experiences as more crowded destinations (for instance, Taipei instead of Seoul).

Marketing campaigns can frame a destination as a place where visitors chart their own paths. The “I amsterdam” campaign, for example, encourages tourists to create their own personalized versions of the city. AI-powered tools can help craft bespoke itineraries based on visitors’ preferences and interests, matching travelers with unexpected neighborhoods, accommodations, and restaurants that will appeal to their individual tastes.

Developing accommodations and attractions in less dense areas by repurposing assets can also help distribute footfall. Istanbul helped facilitate the restoration of a 1930s tobacco factory and warehouse that became a hotel. The Maboneng Precinct in Johannesburg was a run-down cluster of warehouses before being repurposed to create art galleries, restaurants, and retail spaces.

Distribute visitor footfall over time

Seasonal concentration of tourist activities can cause inefficient use of infrastructure and overload destinations’ ecological, social, and cultural systems. Forty-three percent of travelers already choose to travel off-season to avoid overcrowding. 5 “How to travel: a look at sustainable travel habits,” Booking.com, October 3, 2023. Stakeholders can take steps to encourage even more shifting of visits to off-peak periods. Iceland, for instance, has heavily promoted winter visits to see the Northern Lights, drawing on collaboration across the entire tourism ecosystem—from tour operators developing ice cave excursions to airlines promoting reduced winter airfares.

Distributing visitors across hours is another powerful strategy. The Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve in Hawaii has timed reservations, which smooth visitor numbers across the day and enable a better experience for all. The Petra archaeological site in Jordan has taken a different approach: by creating an evening light and sound show, this popular attraction has expanded the breadth of attractive visitation times.

Because domestic travel represents the bulk of trips, governments might be able to help distribute visitors by carefully managing holiday schedules. For example, the French government has split school holidays so that different regions are on break at different times, which helps mitigate overcrowding during ski season.

Be prepared for sudden, unexpected fluctuations

A viral social media post can send travelers flocking to a destination that might not be prepared for the influx. One beautiful block in Brooklyn’s Dumbo neighborhood earned the nickname “selfie street” when visitors—having seen other tourists’ picturesque selfies on social media—flooded it with phones in hand. Footfall data shows that Dumbo saw an 86 percent increase in visits from 2022 to 2023.

In some instances, this type of behavior can cause significant harm. Access to the secluded Burney Falls waterfall in Northern California was shut down this year in part because of trail damage caused by heavy visitor flows. Data shows that interest in this photogenic spot took off on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic, with peak season in 2023 seeing three to four times as many weekly visitors as in 2019.

Destinations should keep tabs on social media activity and cultural trends that pertain to them. They might consider developing playbooks in advance with planned procedures for handling viral surges. Local tourism stakeholders can attempt to anticipate this type of sudden interest and actively channel it in ways that will mitigate negative impacts. It’s important to be mindful that virality can have different levels of staying power—ranging from a brief phenomenon to an enduring trend.

Preserve cultural and natural heritage

Destinations need to weigh considerations of both accessibility and preservation as they manage tourists’ engagement with natural and cultural attractions. One option is to designate culturally or ecologically significant land and then engage locals in finding ways to strike this balance. Legally protecting lands is a long-standing conservation practice, and governments have increasingly turned to Indigenous populations to better understand cultural sensitivities around specific sites. For example, Indigenous Tourism Alberta partners with Indigenous groups to offer tourists authentic experiences—such as fishing, jewelry making, and hiking—while minimizing negative impacts on nature and culture.

Although tourists often prefer to roam freely around natural sites, limiting access—either geographically or temporally—can be critical to preservation. Creating specific pathways (with showcases for educational material along the way) can allow guests to safely and efficiently walk through a site without causing damage or disturbing wildlife habitats. Sometimes a digital substitute can be an effective solution: Digital Giza lets tourists experience a re-creation of the Egyptian tombs without needing to actually enter them.

Sensitive areas can be closed for predetermined time periods to allow for rejuvenation and sustainable development. And naturally seasonal sites can take advantage of off-peak downtime to fully close and refresh attractions. For example, the Inca Trail in Peru shuts for one month every year during the rainy season to allow nature to recuperate from heavy footfall on the trail. Ideally, these downtimes should be established preventatively and communicated to tourists well in advance, but in some instances, they may need to be prescribed on short notice to prevent imminent damage or rectify harm already done.

As global travel continues to grow, it’s crucial for stakeholders in the tourism ecosystem to be ready for the challenges that could arrive alongside increased visitor flows. By understanding the risks and opportunities, implementing funding strategies, and collaborating across sectors, popular destinations can take steps to preserve their cultural, economic, and environmental assets.

Caroline Tufft is a senior partner in McKinsey’s London office, Margaux Constantin is a partner in the Dubai office, Matteo Pacca is a senior partner in the Paris office, Ryan Mann is a partner in the Chicago office, Ivan Gladstone is an associate partner in the Riyadh office, and Jasperina de Vries is an associate partner in the Amsterdam office.

The authors wish to thank Abdulhadi Alghamdi, Alessandra Powell, Alex Dichter, Cedric Tsai, Diane Vu, Elisa Wallwitz, Lily Miller, Maggie Coffey, Nadya Snezhkova, Nick Meronyk, Paulina Baum, Peimin Suo, Rebecca Stone, Sarah Fellay, Sarah Sahel, Sophia Wang, Steffen Fuchs, Steffen Köpke, Steve Saxon, and Urs Binggeli for their contributions to this article. The authors also wish to thank Mabrian for providing data.

This article was edited by Seth Stevenson, a senior editor in the New York office.

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AAA forecasts nearly 44M travelers for Memorial Day weekend: See best times to travel

Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, which means people will be flooding highways and airports this weekend looking to get away for some rest and relaxation.

The American Automobile Association is projecting nearly 44 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Memorial Day holiday travel period, which is defined by the organization as the five-day period from Thursday, May 23 to Monday, May 27.

"We haven't seen Memorial Day weekend travel numbers like these in almost 20 years," said Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel, in a news release. "We're projecting an additional one million travelers this holiday weekend compared to 2019, which not only means we're exceeding pre-pandemic levels but also signals a very busy summer travel season ahead."

The organization projects over 38 million people will travel by car over Memorial Day weekend, over 3.5 million will travel by air and nearly 2 million will travel by other modes of transportation, including buses, cruises and trains.

The 38 million drivers is the highest number for Memorial Day since AAA began tracking data in 2000 and is up 4% compared to last year. The 3.5 million air travelers is an increase of nearly 5% over last year and, according to AAA, this will be the most crowded Memorial Day weekend at airports since 2005.

Learn more: Best travel insurance

When is Memorial Day?: Here's when the holiday falls and what to know about its history.

Best, worst times to travel for Memorial Day weekend

Drivers leaving Thursday or Friday should hit the road early to avoid mixing with commuters, AAA said, citing data from transportation data and insights provider INRIX. Drivers going back home Sunday or Monday should avoid the afternoon hours when return trips will peak.

“Travel times are expected to be up to 90% longer than normal. Travelers should stay up to date on traffic apps, 511 services, and local news stations to avoid sitting in traffic longer than necessary,” said Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX, in the news release.

Here's a breakdown of the best and worst times to travel by car depending on which day you are traveling:

Thursday, May 23

• Best travel time: Before 11 a.m. and after 7 p.m.
• Worst travel time: Between noon and 6 p.m.

Friday, May 24

• Best travel time: Before 11 a.m. and after 8 p.m.
• Worst travel time: Between noon and 7 p.m.

Saturday, May 25

• Best travel time: Before 1 p.m. and after 6 p.m.
• Worst travel time: Between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Sunday, May 26

• Best travel time: Before 1 p.m.
• Worst travel time: Between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Monday, May 27

• Best travel time: After 7 p.m.

Gas prices continue to decrease heading into Memorial Day weekend

According to AAA, the national average for a gallon of gasoline has fallen four cents since last week, to $3.60. The primary reasons are weak domestic demand and oil costs below $80 a barrel, according to the organization.

“Barring some unforeseen event, this pokey drop in pump prices is not likely to change anytime soon,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson, in a news release. “There are seven states with county gas averages at less than $3 a gallon. This trend will likely accelerate as more gas outlets east of the Rockies drop their prices.”

This Memorial Day weekend, drivers can expect similar gas prices as last year when the national average was about $3.57.

"Pump prices rose this spring but have held somewhat steady in recent weeks," AAA said in the news release, while also noting that prices may creep higher as the summer driving season gets underway.

The wildcard remains the cost of oil, according to the organization, and unlike last year, there are now two wars – in the Middle East and Ukraine – that could roil the oil market.

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X  @GabeHauari  or email him at [email protected].

All products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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How to Avoid Traffic and Crowds While Traveling This Memorial Day Weekend

By Jessica Puckett

Memorial Day officially kicks off the summer travel season here in the US, and millions of travelers plan relaxing long weekends around it. But in order to get to a sunny beach or serene national park to unwind, you'll likely have to contend with stressful crowds and traffic—unless you time your great escape exactly right.

No matter what type of transportation you choose, Memorial Day traffic will be inevitable this year. According to AAA data, nearly 44 million Americans will be traveling over the holiday stretch from Thursday, May 23 to Monday, May 27. That’s the second highest number AAA has seen since it began tracking Memorial Day data in 2000.

“We’re projecting an additional one million travelers this holiday weekend compared to 2019, which not only means we’re exceeding pre-pandemic levels but also signals a very busy summer travel season ahead,” Paula Twidale, senior vice president of AAA Travel, said in a statement.

Fortunately, there are a few simple steps travelers can take to avoid the worst of the hubbub, whether on the interstate, at the airport, or a train station. Being smart about when to depart and return can make a huge difference in terms of traffic—and smoothing out other logistics.

Here’s a guide to the best and worst times to travel over Memorial Day Weekend , broken down by mode of transport.

According to AAA’s projections, the majority of travelers will be hitting the open road this Memorial Day : More than 87% of travelers—a whopping 38.4 million people—are planning to take a road trip over the weekend. That’s the highest number of Memorial Day drivers AAA has ever seen, meaning planning ahead will be more important than ever.

In general, it’s a good idea to get an early start when driving on Thursday and Friday. On those days, the best car travel times will be before 11 a.m., according to AAA’s report, which used traffic data from Inrix. After 7 p.m. on Thursday or 8 p.m. on Friday will also see lower traffic numbers. The worst times to be on the road on Thursday and Friday will be from about noon to 7 p.m. (all local time).

When returning home on Sunday or Monday, you’ll want to avoid driving between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., as those times are projected to be the most congested on the road. Instead, aim to depart before 1 p.m. on Sunday or after 7 p.m. on Monday when the number of cars on the road will be significantly lower.

AAA and Inrix also mapped out the peak Memorial Day traffic periods throughout the weekend for 16 major cities across the US. If you’re driving to or from a major metropolis, it’s worth checking out the table for the worst traffic time for your destination. For example, if you plan to drive to Tampa, Florida, at 9 a.m. on Sunday (forecasted to be the city's peak congestion time) on Interstate 75 south, you can expect your journey to be 88% longer than normal. “Travel times are expected to be up to 90% longer than normal,” Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at Inrix, said in the AAA release. “Travelers should stay up to date on traffic apps, 511 services, and local news stations to avoid sitting in traffic longer than necessary.”

If you’re renting a car , prepare for long wait times at the rental lots, especially in popular vacation destinations like Orlando, Denver, Atlanta, Boston, and Las Vegas, which are showing the highest rental demand, according to car rental company Hertz. The busiest pickup days will be Thursday May 23 and Friday May 24. Before setting out on your trip, check with your car rental company to see if they offer an expedited pickup option. Companies usually offer express checkout or fast lane options for members of their loyalty programs, which are usually free to join. You could also consider alternative car rental companies like Turo and Kyte, which offer up private drivers’ personal cars through an app. These options can be cheaper and will help you sidestep hectic rental lots altogether.

Train journeys

AAA predicts that an additional 1.9 million travelers will take other modes of transport this Memorial Day, including buses , cruises , and trains .

Summer is one of the most popular times of year for travelers to book trips on Amtrak , with the holiday weekends being especially busy. Although data from Amtrak on which routes and departure times would be busiest wasn’t immediately available, it’s safe to assume that the busiest travel times will be close to the general guidelines for road travel. With that said, prepare for packed trains on Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to about 8 p.m., and for crowds on board to peak on Sunday and Monday later in the day, from about 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

If your train offers business class, you might consider upgrading your seat. Not only does the premium car allow more leg room and complimentary drinks, but you also get a seat assignment in advance, allowing you to bypass the scramble for a spot after boarding.

If you're traveling by Amtrak train over the long weekend, consider upgrading to business class so you can nab a favorable seat assignment.

AAA says that more than 3.5 million air travelers will take to the skies this holiday weekend, an increase of 4.8% over last year.

By Matt Ortile

By Olivia Morelli

By Alex Van Buren

Friday, May 24 will be the peak travel day at US airports with 26,265 flights scheduled to take off across the country, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium. TSA forecasts show Friday will also be the busiest day at airport security checkpoints, with the agency anticipating to screen nearly 3 million passengers that day alone.

All this means you’ll want to follow the standard advice of arriving at the airport at least two hours before a domestic flight (and three hours for international ones), especially if you’re returning a rental car, checking bags, and/or don’t have a membership to and expedited security service like TSA PreCheck or Clear.

If possible, it's always smart to try and get on the first flight of the day, says Hopper’s Memorial Day report . “In general, flights departing after 9 a.m. are two times more likely to be delayed than departures scheduled between 5-8 a.m.,” the report says. “To avoid travel disruption, fly as early in the morning as possible.”

Here’s a look at the 10 US airports that will be the busiest over the long weekend, and the busiest travel times at each one, according to Hopper’s predictions.

• Atlanta ATL: Busiest time to depart: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Dallas DFW: Busiest time to depart: 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
• Denver DEN: Busiest time to depart: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Chicago O'Hare ORD: Busiest time to depart: 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
• Los Angeles LAX: Busiest time to depart: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• New York City JFK: Busiest time to depart: 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
• Charlotte CLT: Busiest time to depart: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Las Vegas LAS: Busiest time to depart: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Orlando MCO: Busiest time to depart: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Seattle SEA: Busiest time to depart: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

There are a few things you can do to make sure the airport security screening goes as smoothly as possible. If you’re enrolled in a trusted traveler program like TSA PreCheck, make sure your known traveler number (KTN)—a unique ID sequence of letters and numbers—is on your boarding pass. Without it, you won’t be granted access to the PreCheck lane. You can add your KTN to your reservation during the booking process, or after you purchase your tickets by calling the airline. You can also ask an airline agent to do this at the ticketing desk in the airport, but expect long lines.

Currently, 20 domestic airports allow travelers to schedule a free fast-track through the regular security line by reserving a time slot online. The shortcut, called Reserve by Clear, is completely free of charge and essentially allots fliers a set appointment time so they can breeze through security.

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TSA at SEA and nationally prepared for busy Memorial Day weekend of air travel

SEATTLE - The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is prepared for high passenger volumes leading up to the Memorial Day weekend. TSA projects it will screen more than 365,000 departing travelers at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) from Thursday, May 23 through Tuesday, May 28. This is a 9.6% increase over 2023 volumes.

The two busiest days at SEA are projected to be Thursday, May 23 when more than 69,000 travelers are expected to be screened through the security checkpoints and Friday, May 24 when TSA expects to screen more than 70,000 people.

The busiest times at the checkpoint daily will be 4 a.m. to 8 a.m.; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. All travelers will need to arrive early and prepared for every step of the air travel experience.

“We want to assure those traveling out of SEA during the Memorial Day weekend that TSA has plans in place to make the security screening process as streamlined as possible. With the temporary closure of security checkpoint 3, TSA will have all other security checkpoints and lanes in the airport staffed and open,” said TSA Federal Security Director for Washington Greg Hawko. “However, with reduced screening capacity, it is crucial that all travelers listen to directions given by airport customer service staff as well as TSA officers to make the airport experience go smoothly.”

Travel tips Here are some tips to help all travelers have a smooth trip through the security checkpoint at any airport:

• Arrive at the airport early so you can complete every step of the airport process. Allow ample time to park, navigate to the terminal, check luggage and proceed through the TSA security screening checkpoint and get to the gate. Keep in mind, most flights board 30-45 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time.
• Be prepared for any scenario. Have your photo identification and boarding pass ready prior to entering the security checkpoint. This will keep you from slowing down the screening process for you and everyone behind you.
• Listen to directions provided by TSA officers. The advisements are specific to the type of screening you will experience. The information given will make your screening experience quicker and smoother.
• Pack smart. Always start with an empty bag to ensure you don’t inadvertently bring prohibited items to the security checkpoint. Place electronics larger than a cell phone and travel size liquids at the top of your carry-on so they can be easily access if you are required to remove them. Also, be sure that all liquids are 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less if transporting them through the security checkpoint.
• Get assistance prior to traveling. Ensure that carry-ons do not contain prohibited items since they slow down the security screening process. To determine whether an item is allowed or prohibited in carry-on luggage, download the MyTSA app and use the “What Can I Bring?” feature. Another option is to snap a picture of an item and send it to @AskTSA on Twitter or Facebook Messenger for real-time assistance. Travelers can also send a question by texting “Travel” to AskTSA (275-872).
• Double-check your luggage. Many bags look alike. Prior to traveling, passengers should tag every piece of luggage with their name and address and include additional addresses inside each bag in the event the outside tag falls off. When retrieving luggage at baggage claim, it’s important for passengers to check these tags to ensure they’ve picked up the correct bag. 

How to Travel Stress-Free This Memorial Day Weekend

T his Memorial Day weekend, 43.8 million travelers are expected to hit the road to kick off the summer season.

Whether you’re staying local or spending the weekend out of town, be prepared for crowds. “It's going to be busy, no matter what you do,” says Christina Jelski, a senior editor with Northstar Travel Group’s Travel Weekly. “Leave early, give yourself plenty of wiggle room, and go in with the expectation that it's going to be crowded and delays [might] happen.”

Ahead of the busy weekend, TIME spoke to experts who shared their tips on how to make the most of the holiday no matter where you are.  

Think ahead

A little planning can go a long way when it comes to buying supplies for a weekend barbeque or booking passes for national parks— taking the time to get what you need ahead of the long weekend can save you a headache down the line. 

“Everyone talks about the mad rush at the airport and on the roads, but there's also a mad rush at the grocery stores,” says Erika Richter, VP of Communications & Marketing at the American Society of Travel Advisors. 

The same goes for your travel itinerary. Experts recommend creating a backup plan in case there are delays or cancellations. “If your flight’s delayed or canceled because during the holidays, you can't easily grab another flight,” says Karen Schaler, the founder of Travel Therapy. She recommends looking into alternative travel routes or backup flights in advance. “Do not count on the airlines to find you something over the holidays. If your flight is canceled, often [automatic booking] will rebook you for after the holidays,” she says.

Be creative with your travel plans

To beat the traffic, keep an eye out for destinations you can visit by train , especially if you live in the Northeast. “You could easily plan a quick weekend getaway by relying primarily on train service if you live somewhere that is well connected by train lines,” says Jelski, who notes that some hotels and resorts even provide shuttle or car service to pick you up from the station. 

It also helps to be open minded about where you plan to go—especially if you’re planning a last minute trip. “If you're looking to go last minute somewhere for the holidays, you're not going to pick the top 20 places that come to mind,” says Schaler. “If it came to your mind, it's going to come to somebody else's.”

Find ways to keep yourself entertained

Despite the excitement travel brings, a delayed flight or traffic jam can easily dampen the mood. To stave off boredom, Richter recommends packing games— like a pair of dice or a deck of cards—to pass the time while traveling. You can also create a shared playlist with your family or friends to listen to during your trip.“There’s something for everybody—and no one’s fighting over the music,” she says. 

Don’t forget to pack a portable charger. “If you're delayed or if you're just trying to recharge and you can't find one, you’re going to want to have your own,” says Schaler. 

Look around your neighborhood

You don’t have to travel far to have a good time, experts say. Many towns host free holiday parades, festivals, and concerts that help support the community. If you have kids, something as simple as making s’mores or bringing out glow sticks after dark can contribute to a fun weekend. “Even if you're not going anywhere, I would still think about what kind of memories you want to create,” says Richter.

It helps to ground a staycation in a specific theme, says Schaler, whether that be an outdoor day hiking local trails or a global food crawl through different cuisines. If you do decide to take a staycation, create boundaries—and stick to them. “Make sure you go all in,” Schaler says. “You can't be answering phone calls and doing a little work and then say, ‘This is my spa day.’”

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Write to Simmone Shah at [email protected]

Tuesday, 4 June, 2024

How tourism can be part of the solution to climate change

Ghent launches campaign for visually and hearing impaired tourists

France to invest 2 billion in cycling infrastructure by 2027

Dana is a Travel Tomorrow reporter. She graduated in Political Science and International Relations. She moved to Brussels from Romania for her studies and Mont des Arts made her fall in love with the city and remain here. She loves animals, especially dogs, and everything food related, but dessert most of all.

Amidst the European Tourism Day, the Network of European Regions for Sustainable and Competitive Tourism ( NECSTouR ) organised a thematic workshop in Brussels on scaling-out regenerative tourism governance and learning effective approaches to decarbonizing tourism activity.

In the framework of our BoD meeting and the #European Tourism Day, we organised Thematic Workshops on 'Empowering Destination Leaders to Deliver Sustainability' at our house in @toerisme_vla . More to come in our #AGM in Paris in June! @EU_Commission , @EU_Growth , @EUClimateAction pic.twitter.com/jzuSoG4mUg — NECSTouR (@NECSTouR) May 5, 2023

Members of the network in the 2018 Barcelona Declaration “Better Places to Live Better Places to Visit” promoted the idea of regenerative tourism using the language of the 2002  Cape Town Declaration on Responsible Tourism in Destinations . The declaration called on “countries, multilateral agencies, destinations and enterprises to develop similar practical guidelines and to encourage planning authorities, tourism businesses, tourists and local communities – to take responsibility for achieving sustainable tourism, and to create better places for people to live in and for people to visit.”

Tourism can be a solution, not a problem. Marie-Hélène Pradines, Head of Tourism and Textiles Unit at DG GROW

1. Unravelling regenerative tourism

“Tourism is a means, not an end, and it can be a positive contributor to climate instead of a problem”, Vincent Nijs, Chief Strategist at Visit Flanders, opened the workshop. But for that to happen, there needs to be a paradigm shift in tourism, moving away from the low ambition of just doing less harm and into the regenerative mindset of contributing through actions and solutions.

Regenerative tourism creates the opportunity for stakeholders to join a shared journey that not only generates profitable businesses, but also tackles climate action, benefits host communities, champions local places, such as nature, culture and heritage, and empowers visitors to be responsible, explained Mary Rose Stafford, Head of School – Business, Computing & Humanities, Munster Technological University, Cork.

One of the first steps of achieving that is measuring the success of tourism in something other than numbers, Stafford pointed out. What should matter instead are: community perceptions of tourism; community strength; environmental protection, including the recovery of areas degraded by over tourism, through reduced erosion, revegetation and reduced disturbance of vulnerable species; enriched visitor experience, such as tourism activity that recognises local identity and culture; and the distribution of economic benefits by reducing seasonality and using local businesses and services.

2. Collective effort

Continuing to do business as usual is not an option. As shown in the Travel Foundation’s “ Envisioning Tourism in 2030 & Beyond ” report, presented by Dr Paul Peeters, from Breda University of Applied Sciences, all sectors across the tourism industry need to fundamentally change to meet the global decarbonisation pathway milestones, i.e. reducing emissions by 50% by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2050.

The report looked at 40 types of actions, like limiting the global number of long-haul flights, switching to electric cars or having accommodations powered by renewable energy, and showed that there is only one scenario, requiring a  united global effort , in which the tourism industry can reach these milestones.

The most challenging sector is aviation, as it takes up the bulk of the tourism industry’s emissions. E-fuels, hydrogen-electric aircraft and technology advancements all provide improvements but are either not enough or not fast enough, so the only short term solution is to temporarily stop the growth of aviation until the others, combined, can sustain a zero-emission aviation industry.

3. Concrete action

It’s not by big statements we’re going to change things, but through these small significant actions. Cristina Nuñez, Managing Director NECSTouR

The hardest step is the first one. “One of the most difficult decisions was the simplest which is to actually do this, but ultimately we wanted tourism to be a force for good, we knew tourism had to be part of the solution”, explained Lee McRonald, International Partnership Manager at Visit Scotland. “We were fortunate enough in Scotland to have an ambitious government which has allowed us to get some momentum.”

For the tourism sector to decarbonise, destination management organisations (DMOs) need support from authorities and policymakers who have to be bold enough to make the hard, but necessary, decisions. However, since these decisions do not have an immediate effect, “politicians do not have the time to wait for 2-3 years for things to change”, Anya Niewierra, Director of Visit South-Limburg said, referring to how South Limburg is turning the Parkstad region from an over-tourism overnight attraction place to a museum like experience.

As a former coal mining region of the South Limburg province, Parkstad started developing its tourism industry in 1998 by building attractions on the sites of the old coal mines. By 2020, the region was turning over €400 million from tourism, but they soon realised their model was not sustainable. In 2019, Parkstad decided to switch its marketing strategy, highlighting instead its heritage, such as housing the oldest Roman constructions in the Netherlands. “We are the most interesting part of the Netherlands”, Niewierra proudly concluded.

Another success story is that of Ljubljana, where the mayor of the city 16 years ago had a vision and, despite backlash, he decided to completely close the city centre to traffic . People were afraid that the centre would die out, but the exact opposite happened, Petra Stušek, CEO at Ljubljana Tourism, revealed. Once traffic closed, new spaces, mindsets and opportunities opened and “the shared space now teaches people to also take care of each other, not just themselves”. Residents’ lives improved and Stušek highlighted that “A happy local means really happy tourists”.

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Travel chaos for thousands of people after train derails on major UK route

‘Do not travel’ – this is what people are being told after a train derailed on a major route.

Chaos has engulfed multiple services between  England  and Scotland today after cargo wagons came off the rails in  Cumbria .

The incident happened yesterday on the West Coast Main Line, between Carlisle and Oxenholme Lake District.

Nobody was injured during the derailment, but more than 15 hours later, there are still major delays for people.

Some lines are blocked and a very limited train service is running on the line that remains open.

Multiple trains have since been cancelled and delayed, and rail companies have waned of knock-on effects for the rest of the day.

A statement from Avanti West Coast said: ‘Do not travel north of Preston. Services between between Oxenholme Lake District and Penrith have been cancelled due to a freight train derailment blocking the line.

‘Please do not attempt to travel with us between Preston and Scotland today.’

Replying to frantic messaged from stranded passengers, the company added: ‘We are advising customers not to travel today due to the severe disruption.

‘We have no estimated time as to when this will end.’

Meanwhile, TransPennine Express said disruption was expected until at least 2pm.

Ticket holders can delay journeys until tomorrow or travel with other operators.

It remains unclear what caused the freight train to derail.

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