It’ll be years before the victims of this disaster recover, if at all. But, as we can’t unring that bell (or in this case, put the oil back in the pipe), we have to focus on what we can do to facilitate recovery for the lovely coastal towns whose beaches and reputations were stained by this disaster.

If you’ve got marketing dollars, now is the time to spend them.

Your tourism, visitor’s bureau, local or regional website needs to be addressing all the wonderful features of your town and reminding vacationers that you’re still open for business.  If you’ve got local photographers, invite them to submit new photos and then get those photos out through Flickr, Facebook and Twitter.

Build a social media campaign, like this one run by the Jamestown Foundation that encourages past visitors to talk about their vacations and events. If you’ve got a YouTube channel, so much the better. Link to vacation videos that show your sparkling beaches, your lovely shops, your friendly locals and fantastic restaurants. Need some inspiration? Check out Currituck County, North Carolina. Now is an excellent time to invest in a pay-per-click campaign that helps users reconnect with your town or find you for the first time.

Family vacations, reunions, honeymoons and holidays are all still happening. Make sure these people know that good things are still happening at your place, too.

Melissa Baumann is a Search Marketing and Tourism Specialist as well as a seasoned world traveler.

Transportation by air
Most airlines will allow small animals to be carried on board the airline. Specific kennel requirements must be met, and there will more than likely be a fee to reserve a spot on board for the animal. Keep in mind that your pet must stay in its carrier at all times, and there may be restrictions on your animal based on size, weight and age. Some airlines will not allow animals to board unless the temperature is between a certain range at each destination. Check with your airline to get a list of all of the specifications and restrictions when traveling with animals.

Transportation by car
If your animal is used to riding in a car, long destinations may not be a problem. However, small animals may need to stop often at rest stops. If you are worried about car sickness, certain pills are available at your vet to make sure your pet can travel comfortably. Be sure to pack bottled water, food and bowls for your pet to make sure they stay comfortable throughout the car ride. When stopping at restaurants, do not leave your pet in the car for long periods of time. Make sure the windows are cracked and the temperatures are not extreme. If possible opt for drive-thru food options instead.

Lodging
Before you begin your trip, make sure every hotel along the way allows pets. Familiarize yourself with the pet policies and make sure your pet has little comforts of home to enjoy in the room. Toys, food and water bowls and sleeping mats are all items your pet can enjoy away from home. Take time to walk a dog to help him or her get familiar with new, temporary surroundings. Also, Pets Welcome is a great resource to check before you head out on your destination to make sure your hotel is pet-friendly.

Planning ahead when traveling with pets will not only make the trip go more smoothly, but your dog or cat can forgo boarding at the vet and have a great vacation too.

Jessica Swink is a freelance writer specializing in articles about Social Media Optimization and SEO for travel Web sites.

Traveling with a Toddler

Sometimes it cannot be avoided, taking a child under two on a plane for an emergency trip. Perhaps you have heard (or even experienced) horror stories of being trapped on a plane for two hours while a baby screeched the entire time. Maybe, too, you were the person who sat next to the harried mother as she tried to soothe her squirming infant. To be the harbinger of such misery is not a welcome prospect.

However, a plane trip with a toddler or infant need not be a harrowing experience, for the mother or other passengers. By taking precaution and taking care of your child, you can arrange for an easy ride.

Have the child’s birth certificate ready: Though you don’t need to purchase a ticket for a child under two (the child can sit on your lap for the flight), you will need to show proof of your child’s age and custody. Be sure to have your child’s birth certificate handy when you show your ID at check-in.

Consolidate personal effects and baby’s things: Most airports will allow you to take a stroller to your gate, though you will have to put the stroller through the X-ray. Therefore, be prepared to watch over your child in this time. A younger baby in a car seat will be fine, but remember to keep a firm hand on a toddler of walking age so he doesn’t stray. To this end, it is best to check in as much luggage as possible and carry only the essentials – ID, money, wallet, diapers and baby items. Rather than carry a purse and diaper bag aboard, it is helpful to consolidate everything into one bag. Less to carry, less worry.

Feed and change baby before boarding: Keep your baby clean and happy before boarding, and transfer that good feeling as you enter the plane. Try to coincide your baby’s mealtime as close to your flight as possible, and always keep snacks ready for the flight to calm any fits (graham crackers for a solid eater, an extra bottle for an infant). If you breastfeed, consult with the airline before your flight to determine if there are any privacy options, like the possibility of an extra seat in the back of the plane to use. If your flight is full, keep a baby blanket on hand should the need to nurse arise.

Sometimes, a trip will not always go as planned, and your baby may need changing during flight. Anyone who has had the arduous task of changing a baby on board a plane will tell you it is not easy! Consult with the airline before you leave with regards to your options. You may find, too, you are flying with some very understand passengers who may be willing to help.

Bring a diversion: A favorite toy or blanket, a book, or a set of keys may provide entertainment for a child unwilling to nap during flight. By keeping the child’s focus in one place during the flight, you can prevent fits and distraction of other passengers.

Have a bottle or pacifier for the descent: A child’s ears can be very sensitive to the drop in air pressure as a plane makes it descent. Just as your own ears “pop” so will the child’s, and it is a pain they cannot understand or bear. While adults will chew gum to relieve the discomfort, a child cannot do the same, so it is important to have a pacifier or bottle handy during descent. The sucking motion will help ease the pain of pressure for the child.

Planning ahead and proper diversion will help make a child’s plane trip easier, for the child, the mother, and fellow passengers.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on Outer Banks vacations and travel SEO writing.