It’s

It’s
Friday 13th and Melinda Stevens, Editor-in-Chief of Conde
Nast Traveller, and I are emailing about the COVID-19
pandemic.

Travel was experiencing such a high at the end of 2019 and
having made it through Brexit
and the
Australian wildfires , we were looking forward to a happier
summer.

But the travel industry – the big players and the small – has
been hit hard. The virus does not discriminate and the impact has
been felt by us all.

One positive that has struck me throughout the crisis is how the
industry has pulled together. While we can’t change the situation,
we are holding tight and supporting each other where we can.

We know you’re likely to be stuck at home, isolated, bored,
frustrated, scared. We are here for you and over the next few
months will do our best to bring the outside world to wherever you
are. We want you to continue to dream, to help you escape and
hopefully cheer you up – look out for our new Wednesday newsletter,
dedicated to doing just that.

My brilliant team is working around the clock (from home, of
course) to keep spirits high and bring you what you want – so
please do tell us what that is @suitcase.

What can you do? Stay informed via our website and your local
government’s. Don’t be afraid to book travel for later this year or
at least think about it – if you’ve got time on your hands, what
better way to fill it than planning that trip you’ve always wanted
to take? The tourism industry will thank you for it.

Extend a metaphorical hand (or elbow) to vulnerable people that
you know – send them supplies, talk to them on the phone – as well
as those you don’t. Now is a good time to contact your local food
bank, hospital or care home to see how you can help. The
hospitality industry is also struggling, so if you’re in a position
to do so, consider ordering in from a local restaurant.

We will get through this together. And as soon as it’s safe to
do so, get back out there and explore our mad, beautiful world.

We’ll be with you every step of the way, so please do stay in
touch via our social channels – we’d love to hear from you.

Serena Guen, Founder