6 things you should know about summer travel, regardless of where you're going

Everyone from airlines to hotels is looking forward to the long-awaited comeback in foreign travel this summer

Even as visitors and the tourism industry prepare for a fantastic summer vacation, global events such as the global pandemic and the war in Ukraine continue to have an influence on staffing, gasoline costs, and supply chains around the world.

If you're considering a road trip this summer, there are six things to bear in mind that will affect your travels, regardless of your passport or destination.

Arrive for your flight early:

Security and customs organizations around the world are experiencing a staffing shortage. Many employees left during the peak of the pandemic when travel was almost halted, and now they're scrambling to rehire to keep up with the demand.

Rehiring and subsequent training are not something that happens overnight. We've witnessed long security and customs lines everywhere from Manchester Airport in the United Kingdom to Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Canada.

Plan for greater food and airfare costs:

The conflict in Ukraine has had an influence on the global food supply, particularly in Europe. Just this week, the governor of the Bank of England warned MPs that "apocalyptic global food-price spikes precipitated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine" were on the way.

In addition to affecting food availability, increased gasoline prices will also affect food delivery.

Expect restaurants to pass such cost hikes on to customers regardless of where they travel in the world:

Keep this in mind when planning your trip. The growing cost of jet fuel, combined with greater demand, will affect the price of your plane ticket. In April, airfares in the United States increased by 18 percent month over month.

Examine your transportation options:

There is a taxi driver shortage in Ireland, yet Uber isn't really a thing there. In the United States, a shortage of drivers can result in long wait times for ridesharing services like Uber or Lyft, and rental cars are still scarce in some areas.

Don't wing it whether you're traveling by rail, automobile, or boat. Make sure you look into connected transportation. You may want to make a reservation ahead of time in some circumstances. Also, check to see if your destination on public transportation requires a mask (or just keep one in your pocket or travel bag just in case).

COVID-19 has the potential to disrupt your journey:

While the number of cases has decreased, allowing governments to relax travel restrictions, keep in mind that the pandemic is still ongoing and there is still a great deal of uncertainty.

Make certain you understand the entry requirements (which may be different than your own). Masks are recommended. Consider bringing a COVID-19 quick test with you. Have a plan in place in case you need to quarantine someone.

What should I do if I contract COVID-19 while on the road? Here's everything you need to know about it.

Consider purchasing travel insurance that does not exclude COVID-19 from coverage for further piece of mind. Additionally, look for policies that allow you to "cancel for any reason."

Be adaptable:

Go has recovered, so expect to see a throng of other people doing the same thing when you travel this summer.

Because it's been a while since we've all been on the road, a reminder to be flexible and tolerant with others when traveling. Travelers may experience stress as a result of crowds, increased pricing, reduced staffing, as well as weather delays, and canceled flights.

Take a deep breath and strive to de-escalate the situation if you find yourself in this circumstance.