Evaluating How You Travel
To Avoid Infection

With the continuing restrictions on international travel, it seems that more and more people are travelling domestically this autumn. However, during this year of 2020 we are still immersed in the coronavirus pandemic.

It is true that people want to enjoy traveling, but also need to take proper measures to prevent infection. When it comes to infection prevention, it is necessary to always maintain a situation where the others are not too close in proximity. At this time, we would like to take up the topic of re-evaluating how you travel.

The purposeful reconfiguration of travel has become a hot topic during the corona pandemic. This way of travel is attracting attention as a way to prevent Covid-19 infection during this time of pandemic.

What is the reconfigured trip?

In the first place, in dense areas and enclosed rooms, the spread of infection is likely to occur when many people gather in one place. A reconfigured trip is a trip that tries to deviate as much as possible from the actions of other people. Rather than making a standard trip, it means shifting the time of travel, shifting the destination of travel, and shifting the timing of the visit to high traffic areas. This reconfiguration of travel plans can also be referred to as a ‘staggered trip’ by ie; staggering the times and destinations in order to avoid crowds.

 Avoid the Three C’s

What are the three C’s? The World Health Organisation released an infographic on how to avoid the places where Covid-19 spreads more easily by utilising the practices of the three C’s:

• Crowded places
• Close-contact settings
• Confined and enclosed spaces
  
  

Firstly, one can avoid the Three Cs – an action to protect oneself from the spread of infection, an action many people care about most now. In order to choose a location, place, and time when there are fewer people around, one must choose a situation that is not crowded. It may be easier to understand if one can consider the situation in the opposite. For example, when taking a standard trip, say visiting a popular winter destination during the holiday season and visiting the holiday market.  What would it be like to go to that popular tourist spot that everyone wants to visit, during the consecutive holidays, and at the high tourism time of day? It is certain to be  full of people and quite crowded. If planning a trip without considering these things, it is possible to find oneself in an uncomfortable and crowded situation. Instead, consider making a reconfigured trip plan in advance and avoid the Three C’s entirely. 

Benefits of staggered travel

A staggered trip may seem to be unique to Corona, but in fact there are many other benefits as well.

・ More vacancies and comfort

Not going to a destination, place, or time when there are many people and it tends to be crowded means that there are fewer people and it is more comfortable for social distancing. It can be difficult to take amazing photos at scenic spots due to the high tourism traffic. The lines at the shops can be uselessly tiring and the enjoyment of the trip is halved when there are too many people present.

・ It can be more affordable

Accommodation costs tend to be high, especially during high tourism season and at destinations where there is a high concentration of people. Traveling during weekdays as much as possible, or visiting countryside areas, which are not as popular as city areas, may help to save money on the stay.

・An experience unique from others

Many people have visited popular tourist destinations. It’s no wonder that many people want to go to these popular destination areas. By deliberately traveling to a place that is not yet so well known, one can experience something different from other people. These unique travel experiences are the salt of social media posts, and people enjoy hearing about much-loved off-the-beaten-path destinations.

The staggered trip is sustainable

This form of travel  has become a hot topic because of the corona pandemic, but it is actually very environmentally friendly as well. Since in a staggered trip, people are not gathered in one place at one time, the environmental load is reduced, thus making the trip more sustainable.

The term “overtourism” is the influx of people beyond the comfortable carrying capacity of tourist destinations, which create various harmful effects on the local area. A staggered trip can be considered as the opposite of overtoursim. The local economy is energised, the environment is not burdened, and the staggered trip is actually more eco-friendly. Many people can discover the goodness of traveling by taking the unique opportunity to do things differently, due to Covid-19.

Although it’s advisable to stay at home because of the pandemic, if one is travelling, it’s also good to take all possible measures to social distance,  help the local economy and to relieve the stress that has accumulated over the past year of restrictions.

While it can be difficult for many to take time off work except during consecutive holidays and weekends, if it is possible, it is generally a good idea to travel off-season! With off season travel, it is more possible to be able to find a spot that is a hidden treasure, other than the standard spots – places that everyone does not get to easily, or wake early and visit in low traffic times simply by shifting the time zone a bit.

Why not take a staggered trip and travel in an environmentally friendly way?

Would you like to know more about eco-friendly travel options?
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