Eye on Travel — Park Hyatt Cabo Del Sol — February 21, 2026

The episode opens with Peter Greenberg warning listeners that the lingering partial U.S. government shutdown is already hurting airport operations. TSA agents have received only half‑paychecks, and the prospect of unpaid staff threatens smooth security screening. At the same time, inbound tourism to the United States has slumped between 22% and 36% year‑over‑year, prompting carriers such as Air Transat, WestJet and Air Canada to cancel routes or downsize aircraft. These trends illustrate how political instability can quickly translate into revenue loss for airlines, hotels and cruise lines.

Greenberg then shifts to geopolitical ripple effects, highlighting Cuba’s fuel crisis after Venezuela’s oil shipments were halted. Cuban authorities now require aircraft to carry enough fuel for a round‑trip, effectively grounding many Canadian flights and straining a market that traditionally relied on Canadian tourists. He also notes a wave of reciprocal travel bans: several nations have issued their own advisories warning citizens against visiting the U.S., mirroring recent State Department alerts. The discussion underscores how travel perception, safety warnings, and diplomatic tensions can reshape demand, even when actual risk levels remain low.

Despite the challenges, Greenberg points out a surprising buyer’s market. Reduced passenger loads have driven airfares down and opened up seat availability on routes that were once overbooked. He advises travelers to cross‑reference U.S. State Department advisories with British Foreign Office guidance and local news sources to form a balanced view. Intrepid Travel’s Matt Berner reinforces that many destinations, such as coastal Mexico, remain safe despite level‑four advisories, emphasizing word‑of‑mouth and on‑the‑ground experiences. The episode concludes that informed, flexible travelers can capitalize on lower prices while navigating evolving safety narratives.