We’d all like to think that COVID is behind us and the economic impacts of the 2 ½ year-long pandemic are over, but there are still signs every day that’s not happening yet.
A lot of it involves staff shortages. With the unemployment rate so low now, with some people during the pandemic deciding to retire early or get into their own business, restaurants have to cut hours, airlines have to cancel flights and now cruise ships have to reduce sailings.
The news this week about Princess Cruises cancelling 11 scheduled cruises this Fall out of San Diego is just the latest example.
And these troubles for the travel industry have ripple effects in the economy. The Port of San Diego says a cruise that begins and ends here means a two million dollar shot in the arm for our local economy. For the airlines, along with higher fuel prices, it means it costs more to fly.
So while a lot of people are anxious to travel and are travelling after not being able to for more than two years, they are finding it more expensive and discovering fewer choices in many cases.
The good news is that it looks like inflation is starting to slow, but the experts say we could still see an economic recession next year.
So the effects of the pandemic look to still be around for a while as much as we all wish they weren’t.
(Photo Getty Images)
Photo: Getty Images