Sherpa: The Tool You’ll Need to Travel
July 27, 2021 Marsha Mowers
So much has changed since the last time Jim Byers and I left the country to travel for work. My last trip was to Curacao in November, 2019. Back then my biggest worry was where was my passport and did I unpack from my last trip? A lot has changed. So much so that even working in the industry and as an experienced traveller, I’m confused.
Which test do I need to get and where do I get it? Do I need to quarantine on arrival? How do I show my documents – does ArriveCan work everywhere, or do I need country-specific apps?
A few months ago I spoke with Max Tremaine co-founder of Sherpa, a Canadian company and a global provider of travel identification requirements for the travel industry that is fast becoming a big asset to the industry.
Not sure what you need for where you want to go? Check Sherpa. I did for my upcoming trip to Alaska August 5. It made a complex situation very simple.
Sherpa began as a source for entry requirements to countries but with COVID, quickly pivoted. The company was founded in 2015 by two friends Max Tremaine and Ivan Sharko who worked in the tech industry and travelled a lot for work. Originally focused on visa requirements and such, they’ve quickly grown to become the go-to for COVID requirements and count Expedia, Lufthansa, American Airlines, Condor and British Airways to name just a few, among their partners.
It’s a free resource for travellers to use and one that agents can build into their booking plans.
For example, for my Alaska trip Sherpa lists the test requirements, which I was able to use and book a test at a Shoppers Drug Mart for $40. I know that I don’t have to quarantine when I get to the US as I’m fully vaccinated and I know which test I need for my return to Canada and when to get it.
Check it out for yourself here.
About the Author
Marsha Mowers made the move to editorial side of travel after many years working in destination marketing where she represented places such as NYC and Las Vegas. Her experience on “both sides” of the industry has put her in a unique position to provide valuable context to both readers and trade partners. Marsha also serves as Director of Content for TravelPulse Canada
But…now can anyone just wanting to holiday in Canada meet the requirements?.. as I understand it, one needs a quarantine plan in place… quarantine would last 14 days. That’s the length of most normal long haul holidays…if I were to be booked on a tour, I would miss that tour. Despite Canada suggesting it is opening up to international travellers, in reality, there is no way anyone could commit to the possibility of quarantine. Quite disappointing.