traveling Archives - Unique Journeys LLC

CHANGES COMING FOR FUTURE TRAVEL-BE READY

Jul 7, 2023

Changes are coming for future travel-be ready and be aware of what these changes mean to you and your travel experience.

THE END OF AIRPORT LINES

There are now various systems coming that will usher in a shorter airport line experience.

Biometrics– This is the process of identification (automatically verifying one’s identity via fingerprints, facial recognition or iris scans). While somewhat controversial, it is quickly becoming the technology of choice at airports worldwide.

The European Union plans to roll out an automated entry-exit system in 2024. They uses fingerprints and facial images to identify foreign travelers and streamline border control checks.

Emirates has created a “biometric pathway” at Dubai International Airport that enables passengers to pass through immigration and boarding without presenting their documents.

Airlines are also adopting biometric identification.

While it is becoming more common in airports, American airlines are also adopting their own systems. American Airlines, United and Delta have been experimenting with biometric check-in. Also, bag drops and boarding gates at select airports for the last couple of years.

The End of Lost Luggage?

Has this happened to you? You arrive in a foreign country only to spend the first day of vacation stocking up on underwear, toiletries and essential clothing while your luggage takes an unexpected detour.

Travellers are turning to devices like SmartTags, Tile Pros and AirTags to keep track of their belongings. Others opt for sophisticated suitcases like the Samsara’s Tag Smart, which includes an integrated AirTag that syncs with Apple’s Find My app and uses Bluetooth to track the bag’s location.

In the not too distant future, we’ll likely see digital bag tags containing RFID transmitters. These will replace paper tags– an evolution that would save time at check-in while simultaneously making tracking and identifying luggage easier for airlines.

Alaska Airlines, Lufthansa and Qatar Airways, and some other airlines, have partnered with Dutch digital bag tag pioneer BAGTAG. Such products enable travelers to register and activate their luggage tag at home, then drop luggage at a self-service kiosk and track it via an app.

This is surely a growing field and other providers will be entering the marketplace. This is also an area where AI make make it’s presence known.

CHANGES COMING TO TRAVEL-ACCOMMODATIONS

Eco Friendly Hotels

Not all of the new travel developments are on the technical side. Hotels are now becoming more eco friendly without sacrificing the design and comfort of their properties.

The Hilton Hotel chain opened the Hotel Marcel New Haven, (View Here) as part of their Tapestry collection in May of 2022. 1,000 PV panels on the roof power the day-to-day operations of the hotel.

Changes coming to travel - solar panels at hotels

Power from the sun

Even in the Arctic Circle, changes are coming that will reduce the impact on the environment. When it opens in 2024, the Six Senses Svart Hotel (view here) will not only be solar- powered, but will have a zero-waste restaurant and efficient waste and water management systems. This hotel aims to help eco-minded travelers responsibly explore the polar region.

Language will no longer be a barrier-This is not something coming in the future, but is here now.

Google’s Pixel BudsP can either translate what’s being said directly into your ear or share a transcription so you can follow along.

The company has also been working on wearable augmented-reality glasses that display translated text on the lenses in real-time.

Another company, Mymanu, also offers auto voice translation via its CLIK S earbuds.

All of these new ideas should bring us closer to loving travel again and giving us a greater understanding of the people we share this world with and help make travel as enjoyable as it was in “the good old days”.

As a traveller myself, I can’t wait to see these changes and be able to help my clients realize the joy of travelling again. Contact me at https://www.unique-journeys.com and let’s get started on exploring our world.

Staying Healthy While Traveling

Jan 14, 2023

Tips for Staying Healthy While Traveling

After years of staying home in isolation, we are seeing an increase in the number of individuals ready to travel. If there is one thing that the last 2 years have taught us, that is the importance of staying healthy while traveling. Regardless of if you are planning a short road trip or flying internationally, there are several important elements to keep in mind before heading on your dream vacation to ensure a healthy and smooth travel experience. Keep reading to learn our 5 top tips on staying healthy while traveling!

Stay Hydrated

The amount of water that you drink is one of the main ways to stay healthy while traveling. It is suggested that when you are on the road, you should consume 8 ounces of water per hour! If you are flying or planning on enjoying some alcoholic beverages, the intake should increase by another 1 – 2 ounces. Make sure to bring your own water bottle everywhere you go – yes, even when going to the beach! If you have trouble keeping track, a good idea is to also add a reminder notification on your phone to drink water every hour! You would be surprised how well it works!

Get Enough Sleep

The second reason why our immune system tends to weaken when traveling is the lack of enough sleep. Many of us get anxious and nervous a few days before leaving for a trip worrying if we have planned it all. Once you have reached your dream destination, on the other hand, it is highly likely for individuals to get hyperactive and overly excited to do as much as possible. All of this results in skimping on sleep and slowly starting to feel rundown. Do not forget to take rest and breaks and plan to sleep at least 7 hours per night. If you are crossing multiple time zones, try to adjust your body a few days before leaving too!

Bring Your Own Medications

Many travelers tend to create packing lists with all the essential clothes and shoes they will need. Oftentimes, however, medications are forgotten and left behind! Do not make the same mistake, though! From a first-aid kit to some basic multivitamins, having your own medications is a crucial element for staying healthy while traveling. Make sure to add Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen as fever and pain relievers. Herbal supplements rich in minerals and vitamins will also help keep your immune system intact.

Wash Your Hands

We bet that you have heard this too many enough times already! The pandemic from the past 2 years, however, has proven the importance of practicing good hygiene. Traveling exposes our bodies to thousands of bacteria and germs per hour. The best way to fight these is to wash our hands regularly. Do not forget to pack hand sanitizer and some wet wipes as well. Make sure to use these before eating and avoid touching your face as much as possible. Wearing a mask might be a thing of the past now; however, if you want to ensure staying healthy while traveling, we strongly suggest having a mask on, especially at highly crowded places such as airports, buses, trains, etc.

Check Your Immunization Record

Last but definitely not least, we would like to stress the importance of your immunization record. Often, individuals do not consider either the vaccines required for their travels or how up-to-date their immunization passport is. Start by researching the requirements of your destination. Especially if you are traveling to a tropical region – check for any potential diseases. Countries are still dynamically changing their entry conditions – so make sure also to check if you need to be vaccinated for COVID-19 or not. Do not hesitate to contact your doctor and check your immunization record with them. There is no better way to stay healthy while traveling than through prevention!

You should no longer be wondering how to stay healthy while traveling. As long as you follow this relatively simple but extremely vital sequence of steps to prepare for your trip, you should have a healthy and smooth holiday. If you still have concerns, though, you should definitely consult with your primary care provider.

You may be considering taking a cruise; here is a must-read article on avoiding river cruise booking mistakes. For the best river cruise experience, you will want to contact Nancy at Unique Journeys. She will assist you in finding the perfect cruise experience where you will create memories for a lifetime. You are welcome to find additional information at AMA Waterways regarding the luxury river cruise experience.