We have been astounded by the number of caring messages and well-wishes from past clients, conveying their thoughts and concern for us, the guides, local hosts, drivers and other members of our team that they have encountered during their travels with us over the past 17 years. We also continue to be inspired by the generous spirit, understanding and support of our future travelers during this challenging period. Most of our clients with travel dates affected by the COVID-19 restrictions are postponing their visits to Italy and Switzerland rather than cancelling. Perhaps that is because so many have traveled with us before. This commitment to travel is a welcome show of solidarity for us and for the broader travel industry, a sector of the economy particularly hard hit by the COVID-19 outbreak. We are happy to say that our team members in the United States, Italy and Switzerland are well, and look forward to delivering the outstanding authentic experiences to which our travelers have become accustomed when this crisis abates.
At the moment, we fully expect travel to Italy and Switzerland to return to normal by 2021 and are proceeding with itineraries accordingly. We are, of course, monitoring the situation very closely and will notify affected travelers of any recommended or necessary changes. We will continue to offer our clients the opportunity to reschedule any fully paid itinerary with full credit toward a future trip with no time restrictions, penalties or deductions. We are reaching out to our travelers with updates as their travel dates approach. Please understand that in the short term, our immediate attention must be devoted to those with travel dates within 60 days.
There is a lot of uncertainty now as the pandemic makes its way around the world, but as we are already seeing with news of developing vaccines and new therapies, this too shall pass. The world certainly will emerge changed. At CIU, we will be even stronger and as passionately focused as ever on fulfilling your lifelong travel dreams.
With our very best wishes for your health and happiness,
Brian and Maria Gabriella