Carpe diem after vaccine news

Like many of the days that have changed history, 9 November 2020 is a day that I will never forget.

The announcement that drug manufacturers Pfizer/ BioNTech are inching tangibly closer to a confirmed, effective vaccination for Covid-19 was one so many of us have been dreaming of as we have dragged ourselves through the dark days that have defined the entirety of 2020.

Although recognising that there is a long way to go, finally, a much-needed glimmer of hope for our industry, travel, and the world at large, seems very close. This is the kind of seismic good news that we all have been waiting for since this virus upended our lives, our businesses and our freedoms.

The companies reported that the interim results of large-scale vaccine trials have proved to be 90% effective against the virus, with no serious side effects. They hope to submit a dossier to regulators for approval by the end of this month, which could mean first doses being given to healthcare professionals before the end of 2020.

According to reports, pending its approval and release, they now expect to produce enough vaccine to protect 25 million people this year, and up to 1.3 billion doses in 2021.

We can only hope and pray for its success.

While this doesn’t mean that the virus is eliminated, what it does mean is that an accessible vaccine offers us a solution, to be able to start planning our steps to rebuilding the world, our industry, and establishing a new normal.

Even though governments are exercising caution and the need for patience, the message we have to take from this news is one of confidence. Importantly uniting loved ones, rebuilding livelihoods and economies and connecting people to the joy of travel once again. So, in light of this news, to my teams and to our valued trade partners around the world I say: seize this day. That pent up demand that we have been sensing, hearing and predicting is palpable now.

My first thoughts are to pick up the phone.

If there is one thing that has been cemented this year, it is the innate need for human connection. We thrive on personal relationships, and closer to home or further afield, the opportunities to connect to the joy of travel, and to the locals who are waiting to welcome travellers again, are there for the taking.

Whether it’s an epic trip in one or more of America’s great National Parks, a safari in Africa, sampling the freshest seafood in Ireland or the tastiest olive oil in Italy, the opportunity is here to spark the interest of those who have been dreaming of where the next adventure will take them. Secondly, recognise that we need to go slow, and act with caution.

We are not ignorant to the fact that people are and will be cautious, which is only natural after the havoc and destruction that the virus caused. Now, more than ever before, travelling with someone you can trust to put your well-being first is of the utmost importance. People need to know they can feel confident and still do the things they love as we rebuild our world.

As just one example, we at Trafalgar, Costsaver and across our family of brands at The Travel Corporation have put into action a number of new and forwardthinking anticipatory initiatives to ensure that when our guests travel again, they feel comfortable, at ease and know their needs are exceeded. Our guests can then once again live the travel dreams that they have so deeply missed, just as much as we have been missing them.

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Gaving Tollman is Global CEO of Trafalgar and Costsaver .
Picture: Supplied