Real ID is popping up more and more and it is because the deadline to have one is fast approaching.
 
For those who need a short refresher on this topic, in an attempt to cut down on domestic terrorism and security threats post 9/11, Congress enacted Real ID Act in 2005. This federal law deals with the security, authentication, and issuing of standards for identity licenses and documents. Essentially, this elevated ID technology is more difficult to fake.
 
The Real ID law intensified the standards for identity cards accepted at the federal government level for boarding commercially operated airline flights, entering an official federal building and nuclear power plants.
 
In addition to other aspects of the Real ID law, the most pertinent to the travel industry is the portion regarding the Real ID-compliant form of identification for domestic air travel. What this means traveling is by October 1, 2020, you will need a Real ID to fly domestically.
 
To find out if your driver’s license is a Real ID, it must have a black or gold star on it. If you live in Hawaii, Tennessee, Ohio or Utah, you will have to check with your state government.
 
To complicate things, some states are issuing driver’s licenses that are a form of Real ID but will not pass for a Real ID for air travel.
 
It is best to check if you’re not certain if your ID is a Real ID. Otherwise, this could prevent you from boarding a flight after the deadline.
 
To learn more information see: https://www.dhs.gov/real-id and https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-frequently-asked-questions
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A recent report from the World Health Organization has linked a spike in measles cases in 2017 and connected it to “gaps in vaccination coverage.” This trend has continued into 2018 and 2019.
 
Recently, there have been an increase in reported cases in the Americas, Eastern Mediterranean, and in Europe. Most notably there have been outbreaks in Brazil and India and smaller flares in France, Italy and Israel.
 
Measles is preventable. Through two doses of the vaccine, protection is at 97%, with one dose giving 93% protection. It is very highly recommended that you are fully vaccinated two weeks before any international travel.
 
The disease causes abut 110,000 deaths every year and is very serious and contagious. It can have debilitating or life-threatening complications like encephalitis, pneumonia, permanent vision loss and more.
 
For more information on the MMR vaccine that prevents measles click here.

Turbulence, or atmospheric disturbance is when the normal airflow is being affected by one of a couple of factors.
 
The factors include: rising hot air (creates thermal turbulence), jet streams (just like currents in a bodies of water), landscapes (mountains), the Intertropical Convergence Zone near the Equator (where the winds of the northern and southern hemisphere meet), and then there is clear air turbulence.
 
Clear air turbulence is the most dangerous because it is the kind of disturbance you do not see coming. For many people it is the scariest kind of turbulence because it can cause sudden jolts of movement and that is the affects inflight anxiety.
 
But to ease your mind, turbulence very rarely ever is the reason behind plane crashes. Studies have concluded that majority of plane crashes occur during the initial take off and decent and landing. According to author Ben Sherwood, “80 percent of all plane crashes happen within the first three minutes of a flight or in the last eight minutes before landing.”
 
If anything turbulence causes bodily injuries. It is estimated that only 58 people in the US are injured from turbulence due to not wearing their seat belts.
 
Tips on how to better deal with turbulence:

• Inform the flight attendants about your fears before boarding- the crew can better support you during the flight if they are made aware.
• Pay attention to the seat belt sign and follow all instructions from the flight crew.
• Try and distract yourself in flight- movies, podcasts, calm music and books offer plenty of options for entertainment.
• Stay aware from caffeinated drinks- they can make you feel anxious, hyper and dehydrated.
• Most importantly follow the lead of the flight attendants, they are trained professionals. If they are cool, calm and collected during bouts of turbulence there is nothing to worry about.

​Americans spend nearly $2.8 billion on travel insurance each year, with the most common claim being trip cancellation or interruption.
 
Travel insurance allows for the peace of mind when you are away from home. But when not all insurance is equal or has the same coverage, things get complicated very quickly.
 
It is always important to read the fine print and ask questions to ensure the needs of your group are being met. There are plenty of stories available on the internet of less than pleasant experiences that all support investing in travel insurance.
 
Travel insurance is especially essential for groups traveling together because the world is not perfect. Bags get lost in transit, flights get delayed and occasionally people get sick. And with more people, there are more variables to account for.
 
Please let us know at Guardian how we can help your group travel plans go as smoothly as possible and what we can do to accommodate all of your needs.

With a reputation for being one of the most stunning places in the world, Greece has recently been named one of the Safest Destinations in the World for travelers in 2019.
 
The Greek Archipelago includes over 6,000 islands, of which only 227 are inhabited, each offering a different experience. People visit Mykonos for the beach resorts, Athens for the ancient history and other islands for the wonderful Mediterranean cuisine, iconic whitewashed buildings and waterfront views.
 
According to Rolf Freitag, the CEO of IPK International, a company that provides travel data and studies travel trends, “Thirty-eight percent of international travelers currently claim that political instability and terror threats will have an influence on their travel planning for 2019.”
 
As it turns out, when traveling, safety and one’s perception of safety is the most influential factor for those looking to travel internationally. A study conducted by CNN found that safety is the number one factor for 67% of travelers, followed by 60% for the price,  and 58% for the reputation of the destination.