Covid-19: Wrong Time to Start a Travel Site?

UPDATE 6/17/2020: As we officially launch Planes, Trains and Travel today (yay!), this is the first blog post I wrote while the site was in its early development. Some of what I wrote just a few months ago looks quaint by now (just 1000 deaths in the United States?). Travel is starting its recovery, but we have a long way to go. The presence of Covid-19 means it really may be the wrong time to start a travel site. But for those of us feeling severe quarantine fatigue, maybe a chance to get excited about travel again is exactly what we need. Cheers!

— Mason

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It’s the perfect spring day. The sun is shining again, and the thermometer’s about to hit 90 degrees. The beautiful white sands beaches of the Gulf Coast are nearby. Sounds like the start of a perfect vacation, right?

Um, no.

Because this is the time of COVID-19. The novel coronavirus has been sweeping the globe, with more than one thousand deaths in the United States thus far. The virus may not be especially serious for most people who get it, but that is also what makes COVID-19 so dangerous. Many people will get COVID-19 and show no symptoms whatsoever; or so few symptoms that they can’t get tested. These same people will pass it onto others, many of whom will get very sick and even die.

So despite the great weather, the Gulf beaches are closed and much of the world is self-isolating or under a stay at home order. Non-essential travel is being discouraged, and airlines across the globe have been hit hard.  Demand has cratered and schedules trimmed to the bare bones. And I’m writing my first blog entry from my kitchen table, at home. Thanks to Covid-19, this feels like the wrong time to start a travel site. Certainly, it’s not ideal.

So why now? And why do this at all?

Goodbye, Radio!

There’s an easy answer to the first question. I’ve worked in media for nearly all my adult life. I had been a local radio personality for many years, and that led to management positions in the industry and a pretty decent life – until my employer decided to lay off a big chunk of its workforce. I’ve estimated that about one sixth of iHeartMedia’s employees were dislocated during the purge, largely gutting local radio and telling me that it’s time to take my career in a new direction.

Finding Value in Travel

The second question – why do this? – is a bit more complicated. I’ve always been fortunate to do what I love. Radio was a hobby that became my career. But I’ve always had a passion for travel. I’ve been to all fifty US states and all ten Canadian provinces, along with international travel to nearly every continent. Travel is an expensive hobby, and I’ve become an expert in finding great values in travel. I’m always on the lookout for cheap airfares, along with incredible redemption opportunities for my hard-earned points and miles. If you’re open-minded about where to visit, the values get even better. There are plenty of amazing destinations that may not be on your radar, but where the cost of travel is inexpensive – allowing you to do more with less.

For years, friends and co-workers have asked me to help them with their travel plans. I love nothing more than helping people get a deal they weren’t expecting or lead them to a cool experience. I enjoy doing the research and helping others reap the benefits. I’m also a transportation geek and truly believe that getting there is half the fun. Hey, there’s a reason why it’s called Planes, Trains and Travel. I love to fly and experience the energy of the airport. I’ll never forget how much fun it was to use the water taxis on Ambergris Caye in Belize; or take an amazing train journey through Switzerland.

There are a ton of internet resources devoted to travel and destinations. There are plenty of bloggers that write about loyalty travel – how to get the most of your points and miles, and how to earn even more from the best credit card offers. I had to think long and hard before adding my voice to an already crowded space. I had to answer the question, what’s different?

Finding Unique Experiences

I found that answer in a recent Travel & Leisure article about Tijuana and the nearby Valle de Guadalupe, where 90% of Mexico’s wine is produced. Tijuana is not exactly pretty. It’s a city that’s grown rapidly as a jumping off point for people emigrating to the United States. It’s survived the nightmares of the drug trade and is now in the middle of a cultural and culinary renaissance. The city has a lot of energy, and that makes it a fun place to be. Tijuana is not for everyone, but whenever I’m in San Diego, I never miss a trip to this fascinating world just across the border. I’d recommend you do so, as well, and bring home an excellent bottle of Baja California wine.

Most sites wouldn’t tell you to visit Tijuana. But leaving the everyday behind is one of the most rewarding things about travel. It can take you out of your comfort zone and help you think differently about the world. I love a lazy beach vacation as much as anyone. I also love to explore places you might not know much about.  

What To Expect

Planes, Trains and Travel is for the adventurous, but not necessarily too adventurous. We won’t be taking any 5-day wilderness hikes. PT&T is for the traveler who loves to travel well but doesn’t want to break the bank, a traveler seeking out value. I hope to give you a different perspective on travel. You’ll get plenty of what other sites cover, and a few things they don’t.  

Here’s what you can expect:

• News and opinion about travel, loyalty programs, transport options, and destinations
• Lots of info on getting there, and how to get around once you arrive.
• Credit cards and how to use them to meet your travel goals
• Awesome places, many of which may not be on your radar
• Advice on getting the most from hotel and airline loyalty programs
• Coverage of public transportation in places where it’s most useful, and how to use it

In addition, the Planes, Trains and Travel podcast is coming soon. We’ll help you navigate the ins and outs of travel and transportation, and we’ll learn about some of the coolest destinations on the planet.

Final Thoughts

Thanks to Covid-19, it certainly feels like the wrong time to start this travel site. But here we are, and we’re excited to get started.

Please give us a follow on social media, and sign up for our email newsletter to get breaking news and the latest updates from the site. And if you like what you see, learn how you can easily support us. We’ll be here now and when travel opens up again.

I hope you enjoy!