Media Advisory: Travel expert urges caution when planning summer vacation
Many travelers are concerned about the impact of the coronavirus, staying safe and protecting their vacation investment. Virginia Tech travel and tourism expert Nancy McGehee is available for media interviews discussing dos and don’ts when it comes to planning summer vacations
Many travelers are concerned about the impact of the coronavirus, staying safe and protecting their vacation investment. Virginia Tech travel and tourism expert Nancy McGehee is available for media interviews discussing dos and don’ts when it comes to planning summer vacations
“I cannot emphasize enough the importance of watching the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website,” said McGehee. “This includes recommendations for older folks and anyone with respiratory or immunity issues to think about minimizing potential exposure. Keep this in mind if your annual vacation includes grandparents or older relatives. Watch where there are clusters of cases being recorded.”
More: Find additional Virginia Tech expertise related to COVID-19 here.]
McGehee encourages those making vacation plans to check the websites of hotels, transportation and attractions they are considering.
“See what they are recommending. Also see what their cancellation policies are saying. Many of these are changing by the minute,” she said.
“Additionally, vacationers should have a back-up plan. Think about possible ‘staycation’ ideas or activities that involve more social distance, and interaction with fewer folks. If you do travel, take along a few items that help keep the area around you clean. Again, consult the CDC for specific recommendations.”
Nancy McGehee is a professor and department head of the Hospitality and Tourism Management program in the Pamplin College of Business at Virginia Tech. She is a Fulbright Specialist Program Awardee, received the Virginia Tech Alumni Award for Excellence in International Research in 2014, and was cited as an Outstanding Woman in Travel Research by Women in Travel and Tourism International (WITTI) in April 2017. She serves on the Editorial Boards of the Journal of Sustainable Tourism and the Journal of Travel Research and is an Associate Editor for the Annals of Tourism Research.
Schedule an interview
To secure a live or recorded interview with Nancy McGehee, contact Bill Foy by email, or by phone at 540-998-0288.
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