2022
Podcast: Claire Newell gives her 2022 Travel Best Bets as restrictions ease
When we create financial plans for our clients, it’s pretty uncommon to forego a traveling budget.
Unfortunately, for the past two years, I know a lot of you haven’t dipped into those funds.
Thankfully, that’s about to change.
As the pandemic (hopefully) moves to an endemic, a slew of families are aiming to book vacations in 2022.
That is, if they haven’t done so already.
To prep you for your next vacation, we’re joined on the Wealth Wisdom Podcast by someone who needs no introduction.
Claire Newell is the owner of Travel Best Bets, a booking agency with more than 250 representatives throughout British Columbia. She makes frequent appearances on Global TV and CKNW radio, among other platforms.
We touch on what you need to know about COVID and traveling, trending destinations, cruise ship intel, and more.
You can listen to the podcast through these avenues.
Or, you can watch the video podcast here.
Change is coming fast
The timing for us to have Claire on the podcast was good in the sense that it’s becoming easier for Canadians to travel.
However, our timing was imperfect, because changes are happening rapidly.
We recorded this podcast on February 9th. Not even a week later, the Canadian government announced that it was easing travel restrictions beginning on February 28th.
Here were the three major announcements.
- The non-essential travel advisory has been lifted.
- Unvaccinated children under 12 no longer have to quarantine for 14 days
- The expensive PCR/molecular tests are no longer required to come back to Canada. The less expensive, rapid-antigen test will now suffice.
For up-to-date details, please refer to the Government of Canada's Public Health page.
Good on Claire as she talked about why she believed travel restrictions would soon be ending.
She also provided us with a terrific online resource that gives you up-to-date information about travel restrictions around the world.
Group travels are increasing
Here’s where that old adage “separation makes the heart grow fonder” may apply.
Either that, or family and friends collectively agree: It’s time to start traveling again.
Claire notes in this clip here that her agency has seen an increase in group bookings, which she believes may be multi-generational families gathering for trips.
She also touches on the most popular group booking destinations here as well.
Three “I’s” trending for European travels
Does the European destination on your bucket list begin with an I?
If that’s the case, you’re not alone.
Claire talks about the most popular travel locations for Europe in this clip here.
While she touches on four countries in this clip, Claire goes onto mention something that’s true for many client’s we’ve talked to.
“Not just Europe, but destinations around the world that are bucket list destinations are becoming increasingly popular.”
“What we’re seeing is people have saved up. There’s been pent up demand and they want to do things that they normally wouldn’t do when it comes to traveling.”
“We’re seeing people going to Antarctica and Machu Picchu and going to see the pyramids and things that are on their bucket list.”
Two caveats worth noting as the world opens up
If you’re thinking of booking a trip, your travel budget might thank you if you book soon.
Claire talks about two main things to be aware of as the world opens up.
In case you scrolled past the clip, Claire summed up what you need to be aware of in just four words.
“Prices up, flexibility down.”
Cruising is back
Not many industries were hit harder by the pandemic than cruises. Carnival cruises in particular reported 2021 third quarter losses of $1.99 billion.
Ouch.
However, people now seem to be flocking back to cruise ships.
Carnival also mentioned in that article that their booking levels for the second half of 2022 are above pre-pandemic levels.
Clearly, there’s a desire for people to cruise again. Claire talks about why that’s justified based on the safety precautions most cruises are taking.
So, whether you’re going on a cruise, knocking something off of your bucket list, or if you’re still planning your next getaway, we’d love to hear about it.
And if you think your financial plan needs a review, perhaps to help you accomplish goals on your bucket list sooner than you expected, we’re here to help.
If you want to get in touch with Claire and her team, you can visit her website or send her a message at info@travelbestbets.com.
Until next time,
Assante Sana
John Lawson CFP®, CIM®, FEA
Senior Wealth Advisor, Assante Capital Management Ltd.
