In an ordinary year, Toronto travel agent Leila Lavaee would be busy around this time preparing custom itineraries for her customers in far-flung destinations like Jordan, France and the Galapagos.
But now, with growing COVID-19 restrictions and an uptick in cases worldwide limiting international travel, Lavaee says she has had to get creative. Instead of the wonders of ancient Petra, the culture of the Louvre or islands teeming with sea turtles, she is pitching more local experiences to clients this year – such as an RV trip across Canada, a spa getaway and a boating holiday on the Rideau Canal.
"I've sort of pivoted my business in terms of looking at what can be done locally," Lavaee said.