Photos That Capture What Travel Was Like in 2020

Truly this was an unprecedented year, and travel was not immune to this horrible virus. From complete shutdowns to new rules and regulations, this year really put the whole travel industry to the test.

Winter vacations kicked off the 2020 travel season like normal with people hitting the slopes or opting for warmer weather, as seen pictured here with the typical long wait at the Cancun Airport. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) would announce on January 9 that there is a new virus spreading through Wuhan, China with 59 cases thus far.

On January 20, JFK International, San Francisco International and LAX begin screening passengers - these airports were chosen because of how many passengers travel from Wuhan to the US through them. By the summer, thermal screening had emerged at many airports around the world.

On January 31 WHO issues a Global Health Emergency as cases begin spreading more rapidly through Germany, Japan, U.S., Taiwan and Vietnam. The U.S. follows suit and declares a Public Health Emergency three days later. On February 2, the U.S. imposes an at-home quarantine for anyone who arrives from the Hubei province in China; Australia, Germany, Italy and New Zealand also enforce similar rules.

On March 6, the first cruise ship, the Grand Princess, is stranded off California's coast after 21 passengers test positive for COVID-19. As the cruise industry came to a standstill, many companies had to sell off their cruise ships to scrap yards.

Early March saw the spread of COVID-19 upgraded to pandemic status by WHO, and President Trump declared the virus a National Emergency. Simultaneously a travel ban is imposed for non-U.S. citizens traveling from Europe. This travel ban excluded people traveling from the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Many U.S. states, beginning with California on March 19, start issuing statewide stay-at-home orders. Theme parks, including Walt Disney World, Disneyland and Universal Orlando close their doors. Abroad, popular tourist destinations are completely empty.

Travelers were stranded on cruise ships, in airports and in other countries. But travel agents really went above and beyond to help their customers, and there is no shortage of stories where travel advisors are hailed as superstars.

As travel begins to start back up, travel advisors are trusted to know all the new health and safety measures of places. Additionally, advisors stay on top of which states and countries have re-opened, and they begin traveling themselves to showcase to their clients how to safely travel, as seen in the picture above from Paul and Sally Smith of the Travel Smiths.

Virtual travel takes off. As people are beginning to get cabin fever at home, they turn to the internet to take a virtual trip to a favorite destination or a place they've always dreamed of going.

Georgia becomes the first U.S. state to reopen in April. The use of masks and social distancing is strongly encouraged. Disney World reopens in the summer with new guidelines, and cast members look a bit different, as seen in the picture above.

As states begin to reopen, many U.S. travelers opt for vacations closer to home. Renting an RV, taking an off-the-beaten-path road trip and just getting out in nature helped to provide fun vacations that also allowed for natural social distancing.

With fewer people traveling, fewer flights are occurring and causing massive layoffs. Stores within airports remain closed even as passengers begin to increase. For those who did travel during this time, they had never seen the airport so empty.

Extra health and safety guidelines were implemented by the TSA in order to help prevent the spread of the virus while at the airport.

Fewer people traveled this summer, but even still, TSA kept busy. At times the airport security lines were a breeze to get through, particularly if you were flying internationally to the recently re-opened destinations. But because of the new protocols in place, security lines for domestic flights were sometimes even longer.

Stickers and signs are placed throughout airports helping to provide more space between travelers. Middle seats are even blocked on airplanes. And while most airlines have now returned to booking all seats, Delta will continue to practice blocking the middle seat into 2021.

As hotels reopen and more travelers begin going through airports, plexiglass is installed in many areas to keep workers safe.

Hand sanitizer stations are erected everywhere throughout airports, by elevators and in hotels. TSA even relaxes their rules about having sanitizer in carry-on luggage.

To increase social distancing, many restaurants take away tables or place signs on tables that prevent customers from sitting too close to one another. Hotels take away pool deck chairs for the same reason. Markers are added to sidewalks to show how far patrons should stand apart at popular destinations like in Disney Springs. Hotels begin operating at a lower capacity to ensure guests' safety.

Airlines decide to block middle seats, which leads to views like this of several empty seats on airplanes.

Those who did travel on planes were required to wear face masks, which led to lots of face mask selfies.

Of course, not everyone followed the face mask rules. Naughty passengers were seen throughout the year breaking this rule.

Early June saw Universal Orlando reopening with crowds at a minimum and new health and safety regulations enforced. Walt Disney World followed suit in July.

The travel experience was also different for kids.

Remotes and other items around hotels were covered in plastic, ensuring the room was extra clean.

Islands around the world are heavily dependent on tourism for their economy. They had to adjust and set new health and safety protocols. Pictured here is breakfast being delivered by canoe at St. Regis Bora Bora.

Airlines and cruise ships begin adding HEPA filters onboard as well as a host of new cleaning routines to help with customer and staff safety.

All-inclusive resorts were only allowed a certain capacity, which led to very few crowds at the pools and restaurants within the resorts.

Hotels, like Playa Hotels and Resorts, begin to have 'Work from Paradise' packages where guests can score great deals on an extended stay.

Many countries are still requiring a negative COVID-19 test before entering. And airlines have even begun offering passengers COVID-19 testing.

Most globe trotters wish they could wake up on January 1, 2021, to no travel restrictions. The truth is, however, the early months of 2021 won't look too different from those in 2020. Slowly but surely, though, travel will make its full comeback.