Travel after the Pandemic

How will we travel in the future? Our prediction: slowly, carefully, considered. We may dedicate more time towards planning, relish every moment of anticipation, engage in more mindfulness travel, and reflect and fully appreciate the memories long after the journey is complete. Without doubt, high-quality travel will be more complex, restricted and expensive. Trips will have purpose and be slower-paced. There will be inescapable hesitation and second thoughts about joining a crowded tour or cruise. Booking that cheap, last-minute getaway to check that next country off your list will probably be off the cards.

With the COVID-19 pandemic wreaking havoc on lives and livelihoods around the world, it has also led to a shutdown of overtourism. And while humans remain hidden in lockdown, restrictions are having short-term environmental benefits. Skies are clearer, the air is cleaner, animals are frolicking and nature is flourishing in the absence of human activity. Dr Laura Schuijers from the University of Melbourne says “COVID-19 is an opportunity to reset our environmental future.” The question is, can we keep it up?

As we emerge from this torpor, we’ll be craving health-enhancing experiences, restorative immersions in nature, spirit-lifting exercise in the open air and safe escapes for quality time with our nearest and dearest. We’ll need to transition to venturing back into the wider world at a new, slower pace.

Juliet Kinsman (sustainable luxury travel writer – Condé Naste).

So what will travel potentially look like post-pandemic? According to travel experts, we are likely to:

• Explore local gems: the safety and simplicity of a Staycation is reassuring. You may be pleasantly surprised by the beauty found close to home.
• Choose fully serviced private villas or luxury boutique hotel suites for the strict hygiene protocols.
• Have a heightened fear of flying, given airplane confinements and how rapidly viral particles can spread.
• Replace FOMO with deferred gratification.
• Travel with purpose.
• Keep the rewilding going – lockdown has led to a craving of vitamin N! 💚Nature🌿
• Seek mindfulness, wellness and health-boosting escapes for preventative or restorative reasons.

Like Kinsman, my perspective is of both an optimistic idealist and a solemn realist. With a staggered lift on restrictions, travel will likely resume on a regional level in the coming few months. This is, of course, reliant on responsible citizen behaviour and effective management of future COVID-19 outbreaks. International travel is likely years away as we await the release of a COVID-19 vaccine.

One thing is certain – the way we travel post-pandemic will change. And until we can start travelling, we need to stay safe, spread kindness and be considerate to the people and world around us. Where will you travel to next?

Further reading:
https://www.cntraveller.com/article/future-travel
https://www.cntraveller.com/article/positives-future-travel
https://www.insider.com/how-coronavirus-will-affect-travel-future-2020-4
https://www.responsibletravel.com/holidays/responsible-tourism/travel-guide/the-future-of-travel-and-tourism
https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/covid-19-is-an-opportunity-to-reset-our-environmental-future