Missing the Travel!

It is now January 2021 and it has officially been 10 months since I’ve been on an airplane. I flew home from Houston on March 7, 2020 following my last host conference. I would like to just note, that I have some really bittersweet memories from that trip, as I left my favorite travel poncho on the seat at the airport and have mourned the loss for many of those 10 months. In fact, now that I am writing this buzz, it stings as if it just happened. That is when I learned how hard it is to try to work with lost and found in an airport outside of your home city. YIKES, new respect for those that have lost more valuable items, but I digress.

Six of those 10 months I was furloughed so traveling wasn’t quite as front of mind as it is now that I am back in my BDM position. My job is to engage with travel advisors and that is probably at least 95% of how and why I travel. The New Year, the likelihood of potential of vaccine availability and well, winter in Wisconsin all have me reflecting on the things that I miss about travel. Here on my top three.

1. Mental Wellness

Most of the destinations I travel to are desired vacation spots. Often my toes don’t hit the sand or the pool, but so often I can hear the waves of a large body of water and feel the sun warm on my face. Those two things combined, but really, the sound of the waves even more fill my soul! Listening to that as I prepare for the day, maybe find a five-minute break or wind-down before bed really helps me find my balance.

2. Hotel Living

Many people don’t like the hotel life, but this girl loves the solo time, taking up the whole bed, thriving in my own cleanliness and the overall peaceful living. Most often the beds are ultra-comfortable, the bathroom expansive and I don’t have to pick up after anyone but myself. That luxury is nice to escape to occasionally. No, my husband isn’t a disaster to live with, but I do look forward to my alone time.

3. Reunions

This one has multiple meanings. Travel usually brings me together with supplier and travel advisor friends! Those reunions bring me such joy. Those friends keep growing too; the number of them, not the actual people and that makes the reunions so fulfilling. In this category though, absence does actually make the heart fonder! The reunion when coming home keeps my relationships on this side of travel fresher and more interesting, too.

Alas, for the time being I will continue to find other ways to fill those missed experiences. I will say too, that there are benefits from not traveling so often, but that is for another buzz edition. What are the things that you miss from more frequent traveling? Share in the comments below!

About the Author

Beth Kitzman is the business development manager for Trisept Solutions' Agency Channel for VAX VacationAccess. Beth focuses on nurturing business relationships and finding exciting, unique ways for VAX to support travel agencies. With over 20 years of experience in the travel industry, beginning with Walt Disney World then working for airlines and now focusing on travel technology, Beth loves using her education degree to find ways to educate and empower travel agents to grow their leisure travel business.