Travel planning after coronavirus and how will it change? That is a question that we have had on our minds since March. During the first few months, we all were just witnesses to a world-changing around us. Of course, without a possibility to do anything about it.
Now some time passed. The first shock is over. And we all had some time to think about the ramifications of the virus on the world as we knew it. The world is slowly coming to more normal. At least in some parts of the world. It will be a very slow process, full of going back and forward.
Like it or not the world has changed. And not only that. The whole industry of travelling and tourism is going to change too. The virus affected almost everyone on this planet and showed us that we as a society have to change too.
Coronavirus affected our travel plans as much as it affected probably your plans. We had to cancel, postpone or change our plans altogether. So did you. As well as you, we tried to decide what to do next.
At first, when coronavirus hit the world, we were angry. This year was supposed to be the year we travel a lot. Easter in Scotland, May in Italy and in two weeks we were supposed to land in Kyrgyzstan. Guess what, none of it is happening any time soon. Or at least it doesn’t look like it will.
You know the saying: “Man proposes, but God disposes.”
So we tried to look at it from the bright side. Travelling can wait. Even though we love it so much, more important is to be healthy. And making sure that our family and loved ones are safe, protected and healthy too.
Travelling will come back to us when it is time, our health might not….
The one thing we didn´t want to happen to us was to start to be afraid of travelling again. Fear is the most common reason why so many people are scared to travel. The fear of uncertainty, the fear of the unknown. Now more than ever it seems like people need to encourage and reassure that travelling will not only be possible again but fun and safe too.
In the near future, a lot of people might be scared to travel again. There will be a lot of unaswered questions about safety, travel precautions and questions “What if”. But we are firm believers, that preparation is the key to success in every part of your life. Even in travelling.
That is why we tried to think about the ways how to do travel planning after coronavirus pandemic is over.
Here are our 14 tips on how to do travel planning after coronavirus:
1. Decision, decision, decision
Imagine when coronavirus is finally under control. WHO declares that there is no pandemic anymore. And you are free to travel again. Where the hell will you go?
The governments around the world implemented different precautions when it comes to the virus. Some shut down their borders altogether. Some allow visitors to come, but with limitations. Some will allow you to visit but you will have to meet certain conditions. Even after coronavirus is over, there is no guarantee that all states will open their borders without any limitations. So to avoid any confusion you will have to always check up-to-date information on your government website and your chosen destination too. Also, the WHO website is a good source of information about this topic too.
2. Define „dangerous“
What seems dangerous for some, can be a normal thing to do for others and vice versa. Everyone is different and has a different tolerance rate when it comes to danger.
For some coronavirus is just flu and the whole pandemic thing is exaggerated. For others, it is a dangerous virus that could kill you as well as your loved ones.
And the truth is – no one knows. We all can have strong opinions about the current situation. But unless you are part of some conspiracy group that knows more than us, you don´t know what we are dealing with.
After pandemic is over, we all should define our danger tolerance and act accordingly.
o Do you feel that coronavirus is not dangerous? You will probably choose to travel immediately regardless of the destination. And it is your free will to do it…
o Are you afraid to travel to a country that had higher coronavirus rates? Is it too soon? Then you will probably feel safer to travel in your own country this year. Or maybe to travel to a close-by country.
So start with defining „dangerous“ for yourself. It is your life, your time and your travel plan. You need to feel comfortable with it.
3. Do proper research
Now, as much as never, your travel planning will be about researching your target destination. Instead of searching for “best restaurants”, some people will google about “coronavirus rates”. That is a way it will be. And it is completely ok. You have to feel comfortable to travel somewhere you have never been to before.
One might have questions like:
o How many people were infected in a particular country?
o What are the governments precautions?
o What restrictions will be applied to foreigners?
It is completely normal that you will ask those questions. And it is completely normal to not want to travel to countries that used to be hot spots. You might not feel comfortable to travel to a country where you will be asked to wear face masks all the time. Or you might not feel safe in touristy destinations. Or you might not want to travel to a country to realize you will have to stay 2 weeks in quarantine. So do your research before you decide where to go.
4. Plan to explore your own country or countries in close distance
If you don’t feel safe to travel long distances or overseas, maybe plan to explore your own country or countries that are closer to your home. That way if something unexpected happens it is easier for you to come back.
5. What about a road trip?
What a great way to plan your next holidays as a road trip. Especially when no one knows how and if to book flights now. Plus if you do not want to deal with rebookings, vouchers and possible cancellations, a road trip might be a great opportunity. It is fun and gives you more flexibility in case something happens.
6. We prefer Airbnb over hotels
Even before coronavirus, we prefered a shared economy living to hotels. But after this virus is over, Airbnb and other similar platforms will be on a rise. There are several reasons for that. One, it is a more controlled environment for you. You can cook your meals, you can easily clean it by yourself. Two, with all the social distancing, booking own flat means less crowded place. Compare it to a hotel lobby, elevators full of tourists and hotel buffets. Especially if you choose Airbnb flat further from the city centre. You will feel more in control in a place like this.
7. Flexibility will be the key
We will probably be keener to pay a little bit more for flexibility. Possibility to change travel plans, travel dates, cancel for any reasons, those will probably be our future options. Or at least in some cases. If we were about to book a super cheap flight, we would probably not worry about it. But when booking an expensive flight it might be worthy of spending a few dollars on top to gain flexibility.
8. Time to search for hidden gems
We feel it is time to explore more hidden gems. It is time to discover undiscovered. What about instead of visiting Rome full of visitors to choose a less known country? Less known mean fewer people. Talk about social distancing.
9. Time to spend time in the countryside, in nature in the general
What a great way to spend your next holidays don´t you think? And even more, what if you combine a road trip and nature. Camping will be the next best thing with all this social distancing in place. You combine the fun of a road trip, social distancing while camping and peace of nature. Isn’t it better than crowded cities?
10. It is time to appreciate how lucky we are
We live in a time when we are allowed to travel and explore the world freely. Lately, I read about a lot of travellers that felt anxious because of their inability to travel. Coronavirus showed us how much we get used to living in a world as we know it.
Maybe it is time to appreciate, that a few decades ago some people fought for us, so we are able today live lives as we live.
So the first thing we should all do is to appreciate how lucky we are that we live in the world, where we can travel almost anywhere, any time we want to. Because a few decades ago that was not an option…Travelling became such a part of our lives, it become our human right.
And even though now it feels as our human right was taken away, we know that soon enough it will be brought back…maybe slowly, but it will be….
11. Time to support small businesses, locals and small owners
What a great way to contribute to the world after you are allowed to travel again, don´t you think? A small business usually takes the hardest hit because they don´t have a huge multi-million dollars corporations covering their backs. So next time you travel, visit local market, buy a small gift from a local gift shop and contribute to the place you are visiting. You can eat McDonald in your daily life…
12. Have an emergency fund
From now on you should always plan to have a backup plan when you travel. Coronavirus showed us, that travel insurance does not cover everything. Plus I don´t know many people that read travel insurance terms and conditions.
So, if you should change one thing – start with that. Be aware of what your insurance covers you for, what is included and what is not.
Pandemia will never be included in travel insurances, it never was and it never will be. But it shouldn´t discourage you from travelling. Instead, be a responsible traveller and adult and plan to have some emergency fund. That way if something happens, you still have some money to survive or buy a ticket back home.
13. Travel insurance more important than ever
Travel insurance always belongs to the travelling essentials. Call us old or boring but we would never travel without it. We always read terms and conditions and we are never afraid to ask additional questions. If I don´t understand something, it is better to ask directly, then to be surprised later. You should do it too.
Do you need more proof to never skip insurance? Lately, there was a study published, that estimates that the average cost to treat hospitalized patient with coronavirus is around $30 000. You do not want to end up in the hospital with bill for thousands of dollars you don´t have.
14. Don´t stress and feel pressured
We survived the time of great uncertainty, stress and fear. A lot of people were affected by the virus. Some of us more than others. Some of you maybe even lost a loved one or a friend because of the virus.
Coronavirus, as horrific as it was, or still is, showed us what is important in life. Not only your family and loved ones but your health too. And stress can be a huge destroyer of your health.
So, keep that in mind, when you plan your next holidays. It is better to plan simpler holidays and have tons of fun with people that you love, than chasing a dream, that can wait.
At the end of the day, you travel because you want your life to be better and you want to enjoy yourself. So don´t stress about it or you will end up in the situation you do not want to be in.
