Travellers wary, agencies not encouraging travel despite incentives

Pauline St. Jean, 62, calls it a strike out: three exciting family vacations planned for the next sixmonths, all cancelled due to COVID-19.

Fear of rising case numbers and a federal government advisoryfor non-essential travel outside of Canada compelled St. Jean and her partner to make the call earlier this month.

"The deal breaker is that the numbers were going in the wrong direction withCOVID. I am very, very disappointed," she said. "It is so important for me to be able to enjoy every single day."

Allthe upheaval,she says,has taken an emotional toll on her and increased her anxiety.

The St. Andrews, Man., retireewas diagnosed with metastaticbreast cancer last year. Sheand her partner were hoping to fly to Las Vegas in October.

After that, aromantic three-week getaway was planned to Puerto Vallarta for January and a surprise Disneyland holiday was bookedin February with her three grandchildren.

But St. Jeandoesn't feel safe getting on a plane,even if airlines are offering free COVID insurance if you get sick.

"This coverage doesn'tmake a difference. If we get sick, we get sick," she said. "No, I would rather be at home. If we are going to get COVID, I would rather be at home, not in another country."

Emilie Lemayfeels the same way.The Winnipeg artist and curator had been planning three trips she won't be taking, either: afamily reunion in Italy, a retreat through her husband's workin Arizona and an artist residency programin Yukon. The Yukon tripwas rescheduled to November but has now been postponed until further notice.

The lure of COVID-19 insurance from airlines isn't enough to convince her to board a plane.

"Flights don't make me feel safe at this point. Not a chance," Lemay said."Even if they want to fly me back, therisks are so high."

Hope of a hotgetaway this winterwith family fromQuebec is also a bust.

But the biggest heartbreakis missing out on a family reunion in Italy, she said. She was planning to travel with her mother, husband and daughter to meet some family members for the first time. Lemayhadspent the last year learning Italian.

Since Air Canada cancelled the flight, Lemay and her husband have been fighting to get thousands of dollars back. Instead, the airline is offering them a credit to be used within two years.

Agencies not encouraging travel

CBCNewscontacted three Winnipegtravel agencies to find out if people feel confident in travelling this winter, and what if any bookings they are making.

All three said while people are interested in travelling, theyaren'tbookingleisure trips. Instead, they are calling agencies to book flights to see immediate family they haven't seen for months, and to learn about COVID-19 restrictions in different countries.

Walter Rodriguesowns Bestway Travel Agency in Winnipeg. He has been busy, but it has been with travel refunds.He's alsohearing fromcustomers who need to travel home to seefamily in Europe, Africa and South America.

He has to walk them through COVID-19 regulations, quarantine restrictions and what happens if their destination becomes a hot spot and theycan't return home. The onus is all on the traveller, not the airline or the agency.

"Only those that really need to travel are travelling. Hopefully by next year we will have a vaccine," Rodrigues said. "Even though airlines are offering incentives, the consumer has to feel 100 per cent sure and safe, and they don't right now."

A spokesperson for CAA said it is not seeing any significant interest in travellers wanting to go the southern United States or abroad. In a written statement, the spokesperson said, "We are not openly encouraging snowbirds to travel down south. With a travel advisory in place, CAA continues to follow guidance from Global Affairs."

Global Affairs responds

Both St. Jean and Lemay say it seems contradictory that airlines are offering free COVID-19 insurance to entice travellers at the same time the federal government is advising against non-essential travel outside Canada.

While a spokesperson for Global Affairs says the advice is not binding, it is strongly recommended.

In a written statement, the spokesperson said travellers are being warned "they may suddenly face strictrestrictions at their destination,such as curfews, lockdowns and quarantines. Airlines could suspend flights without notice and Canada is not planning additional repatriation flights."

Lemay saidshe doesn'tknow if she will be able to use her airline credit before the two year limit runs out.

For St. Jean, it is all bittersweet.

"I wanted to make my last couple of years enjoyable," she said.