To all my wonderful travelers,

2020 was supposed to be our year. A year for travel and expanding our horizons.



After 2019 officially came to an end, so many of us moved forward into a new decade with heightened optimism. A clean slate awaited us, welcoming the opportunity to start over in whatever way we wanted. Hope was starting to rekindle during terrible times. And the sky was beginning to feel like the limit again.



What was really going to stop us?



Had we known the answer would be a once-in-a-century global epidemic, New Year’s Eve 2019 would have taken on an entirely different vibe.



There’s no denying the COVID-19 outbreak has left the world pulverized. Markets have crashed. Global unemployment has skyrocketed. And as of March 30, coronavirus has infected over 700,000 individuals and taken more than 35,000 lives. Of all things, a flu-like sickness has brought a fast-paced world to a screeching halt and bluntly questioned our purposes on this planet.



It’s even made me question my own.



In times like this, I am reminded of the love I share with the most important people in my life. My girlfriend, my family (shoutout to Brooklyn and all the Boricuas!), and my close friends are all at the core of who I am and what I want to be. These people make it possible for me to live an incredibly happy life, and because of that, I am grateful.



While my close ones are all okay, I know there is someone else that’s left a positive impact on my life: You. The explorers of the world. The curious, thought-provoking, and wander-lusters. People that need to travel, not just for business or pleasure — but to feel like a part of them is actually whole.



Because if not for us, how many others would dare to open their eyes and experience something new? Something different? Something with a million stories waiting to be told? Something to solve the world’s most pressing problems?



Something that, at the very least, brings us together?



Right now, we’re not just missing hugging our loved ones: Our love for travel has also become compromised. We’re missing out on moments that give us goosebumps, make our heart skip a beat, and leave us speechless. We can’t drop our jaws in awe of Puerto Rico’s natural wonders or the architectural magnificence of Rome anymore. Kanpai to the times when we ordered restaurant menu items in entirely different languages and laughed after we got them right or wrong. And prost to new friends we make along these unforgettable journeys.



We know the strong sense of euphoric discovery we feel when traveling is being snatched from us as we speak. So where do we go from here?



How do we navigate a world that doesn’t even want us to navigate anymore?



Of course, social distancing and quarantining are great ways to avoid the coronavirus’ inevitable spread. For once, staying home can save lives — so PLEASE do your part by doing nothing!



But like many of you, I’m eager to return to one of my favorite spots: a plane seat. While that’s hard for some to believe, it’s also why I’m going to be providing continuous updates on the travel industry’s expected resurgence throughout 2020.



In the coming weeks, I’m going to be answering your questions about COVID-19’s impact on travel around the world. A lot of us have questions about best practices, and we need answers if we’re going to ensure the health and safety of others.



Just because much of travel has stopped doesn’t mean our passion has. I will also reflect on some of the best trips I’ve taken, give you sneak previews of my future travel plans, and provide you updates on how I’m handling this at-home.



Sometimes, the greatest of travelers need to come home to remember who they are and where they started. In times like this, our loved ones can support us as we navigate the most daunting of challenges ahead.



Eclectic Emissary’s community are travel bad-asses, and I know it can help us get through tough times.

Keep thinking differently, and never stop leveling up!

Sincerely,



Ramon Morales, The Eclectic Emissary