What Changes with
Post-Corona Travel: 5 Possibilities
COVID-19 has gradually calmed down in many countries, although it is still spreading fiercely in the world as a whole. But what is likely to happen in post-COVID-19 times?
The travel industry, one of the industries that has suffered the most damage, is eagerly awaiting the moment people are able to travel without restriction again. And those of us who are travel-lovers, are looking forward to the day when we will be able to resume travel again. In the past few months, many people have realized the merits and wonders of being able to travel without restriction.
Taking into account the various opinions of experts around the world, here is our take on the 5 possibilities of how travel can change in a post-corona world.
1. Local travel would happen firstly
As people begin to emerge from their homes and begin travelling again. It is very likely that the first step of readjusting to travel in a post-corona world would be that local area and domestic travel would be utilised as a ‘bubble’ of sorts.
“TripAdvisor”, the world’s largest travel platform, has conducted a questionnaire survey on how tourists’ awareness of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is changing. Longwoods International also conducted research into Covid-19 travel sentiment. As a general consensus, the majority of travellers seem to be focused on more localised destinations which are in closer proximity to their home areas, at the current time. Many respondents did say that within 1 ½ hour distance felt comfortable. One could easily come to the conclusion that many people are hesitant to travel overseas too soon.
Since the areas where COVID-19 is endemic have also fluctuated according to date, it is common for borders to be blocked on one or both sides. Due to travel restrictions, there has been a dramatic reduction in the amount of flights, and also a reduction in the amount of passengers allowed per flight as social distancing rules must be followed. Therefore, prices are expected to increase. Given all of this, it does seem that international travel will not be as simple and affordable as it was pre-corona.
Furthermore, as in the questionnaire above, there are many who are worried about going abroad, so it is likely that more outings and short trips will occur first. It is always a good thing, to make this an opportunity to be able to rediscover the beauty of one’s own country.
2. Travel to uncrowded destinations
For a while during the post-corona era, it seems that many people will choose a method and place where they are able to secure enough personal space, considering the possibility of infection. Finding a place where there are not many people, such as a car for transportation to a location where not so many people gather. Traveling for the purpose of seeking healing in connection with nature and seeing wildlife in nature seems to be preferred.
When going abroad, places that are not so well known and have few people are likely to become increasingly popular. For example; less populated Iceland for outdoor travel, Scandinavia with their large open spaces and the cleanest air / water in the world, remote uncrowded beaches and islands (Maldives, Mexico and Seychelles), while lodging at independent small accommodations and resorts seems to be the direction that tourism is headed. It seems that even the remote private island will be attracting attention in the sense of enjoying overseas travel while keeping a safe distance from people.
3. Travel that connects people
Many people would not now travel to see their family if their family lived in another province or if there was a possibility of infection. It is possible that more people will opt to make memories in the future, by planning family trips, to prioritise multi-generational trips and group trips with friends to spend time with close ones who have not been able to meet for a while.
Humans are social creatures. It’s no wonder that one would want to spend time with others, to have a personal connection after such a time of isolation.
In terms of personal space, more people will likely take part in smaller tour groups such as family, friends, and small groups, rather than large group tours. There is likely to be an increase in travel, at least sporadically, due to the desire to connect with people after long periods of isolation.
4. A more authentic journey
People have been in a virtual world while in isolation. Due to this, an appreciation for authentic experiences has come to light. Even if you are not the traveler who travels on a daily basis, people who like traveling may have been struck by the situation during the isolation period when they were unable to even plan their trips. Looking at the photos of past trips and watching the photos and videos of the countries one would like to visit from a home computer or mobile phone, one may be able to find the scenery of the destination in a virtual world and think to themselves “Oh, I want to go on a trip”. But, virtual experiences and real experiences are different with travel. Especially with travel, actually. From the excitement at the planning stage of the journey, the uplifting feeling when actually going on the trip, the local air … Many people now want to go to feel the atmosphere and have the authentic experience, not the virtual one.
5. A trip to a place you would like to visit
at least once in your lifetime
Bucket list travel may become more prevalent, now that people have realised the value of being able to travel freely. Until now, a trip could have been possible if one just wanted to go. During this pandemic however, the experience that when one wants to go, they sometimes cannot travel. Therefore, there is a possibility that more people will want to visit bucket list destinations of the “Places I would like to visit once in a lifetime”. More people may feel like visiting these once in a lifetime destinations when they just can. Travel that one thought would be possible in the event of saving enough travel money to take long vacations might turn into a more valuable experience, psychologically speaking. Travel is something that can be done because of peace, as it is called the ‘peace industry’. By noticing how travel was taken for granted, we may be able to enjoy the journey with gratitude and appreciation now, more than ever before.
In the future, it would be nice to make a deeper connection with travel. Not just to visit destinations and to have sightseeing tours, but to value with whom to spend time, what is felt, what kind of interactions were had and what was inspiring.
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