How Will Travel Change with the Pandemic?

Last Updated on June 10, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world as we knew it, especially when it comes to travel. 

When news of coronavirus started to spread, no one knew its effects on the world or its economy. Back then, everyone thought it would last a couple of weeks, and everything would blow over. That didn’t happen. 

We’re more than a year into the pandemic now, and thankfully countries are opening up with the roll out of vaccination programs around the world. But will travel ever be the same again? Let’s discuss.

 

Post-Pandemic Travel: How Does It Look Like?

For better and worse, the pandemic has changed how people approach tourism and travel. Here’s a look at what to expect. We have also included tips on how to travel safely during the pandemic.

1. Research on COVID Restrictions

When booking a new trip in the coming months or years, be sure to do ample research and look into your destination’s current COVID-19 situation. Travel restrictions vary wildly for different destinations and change frequently — some countries may even require mandatory 14-day quarantine that cost upwards of US$2000. 

Important COVID-19 travel questions to ask:

2. Take Measures to Stay Safe

To travel safely during COVID-19, it’s important to choose destinations where you can spend time outdoors, whether that’s on the beach or national parks. Traveling during off-peak times means you’ll be safer without the crowd. If possible, avoid traveling during summer, spring break, Christmas and Thanksgiving.

Cyberattacks have increased exponentially during the pandemic, and travelers tend to become targets for hackers.  So take some precautions in advance, like using a VPN service when using Wi-Fi hotspots to make sure your connection is safe. Avoid sharing on social media your location to keep yourself safe.

3. Get COVID Travel Insurance

Traveling during COVID-19 can bring with it many risks. Flight delays and unpredictable flight cancellations are covered by most travel insurance plans. But what if you contract COVID19 while traveling?  

As many policies don’t include COVID19 as an eligible medical condition, getting a COVID19-specific travel insurance can help cover any treatment cost or medical expenses. Refer to my travel insurance guide for more details.

Safety Wing is the most popular travel insurance company for COVID19-coverage at the moment. I use their Nomad Insurance plan, which covers COVID-19 as any other illness as long as it was not contracted before your coverage start date. it also covers people from all over the world, while outside their home country.

4. Travel Slowly and More Meaningfully

The pandemic has made traveling a lot more complicated than before. Some destinations require a whole slew of documents to enter: including PCR test results, health declaration forms, and tracing apps. With all the strict requirements, it’s going to be a lot more difficult to hop from one destination to another freely.

Travelers are going to spend more time at their destination, rather than doing whirlwind trips or short weekend breaks in another country. In the long run, this is a good thing for the environment, as we cut down our carbon footprint.

5. Use Travel Agents and Advisors 

With all of the new travel restrictions, airline changes, and increased border control, it can be difficult to find accurate info about a travel destination. Add to that, local measures might vary from region to region. 

I definitely recommend booking future travel with travel agents and local tour guides, as they’re your best bet for up-to-date information. They’ll be able to provide helpful advice and get through the paperwork in addition to finding good deals.

6. Go Local

With closures of borders and strict travel restrictions, many of us have been seeking local experiences and exploring our backyard. We are all excited to explore more of our own countries.

There’s also been a massive push to support locals amidst the financial destruction left in multiple lockdowns’ wake. This has motivated many businesses to try and attract as many local travelers as possible, with attractive deals and exciting offers.

 

7. More Rural Escapes than City Breaks

Since the pandemic started, we’ve been advised that the virus spreads much more indoors than out in the open. Many of us have escaped to the countryside and national parks to catch a break, and I think this trend will continue for a while. Road trips and vacation rentals will be more popular than flying and big-chain hotels, at least for this year.

 

8. Diversify Beyond Tourism

Despite the uptick in domestic travel, not every destination is faring so well. Venice, for example, normally a bustling hub of tourist activity, has seen better days. For the first time in decades, the city isn’t being stifled by millions of tourists. 

Venice grew to rely heavily on tourism, leaving the locals now particularly exposed to the side effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. But they’re taking this precious occasion to rethink tourism. Residents and local leaders hope their city can develop an economy that doesn’t revolve entirely around tourism, one that would draw international investors, expand the footprint of the city’s two universities and turn its empty buildings into environmental research facilities.

9. Take a New Approach to Travel

I believe that not only will travel return again, but it will be better. Many businesses, and even some countries, have reassessed their approach and adapted to this new normal. 

For example, countries like Barbados and Costa Rica have started offering digital nomad visas to attract visitors who stay longer (and thus spend more). Even countries like Germany and Australia now have these available, usually with the option to stay for a year or two. It’s different for every country, but in general, people just have to have a remote job and earn above a certain amount annually to be accepted.

This long-term stay tactic might have sounded ridiculous only a few years ago. With remote working becoming the new normal, many of us now have the ability to work and live abroad without the constraints of staying in a fixed location.

10. Sustainable Travel is the Way to Go

With the onslaught of the pandemic, there is a renewed commitment to sustainable tourism. A big influence on this has been the results that we’ve seen from the decrease in air and foot traffic around the world. Wildlife started to return, and the natural world is thriving more than ever before.

Many businesses in the tourism industry are now trying to adopt more environmentally-friendly practices. Sustainable tourism initiatives are popping up, in the form of eco-hotels and booking sites that rate places based on their eco-footprint. 

Things to Keep in Mind in the New Age of Travel

First of all, be patient. Everyone has places to go and things they want to do. But recovery can be slow, and not every destination is going to be how it was before. 

Despite the virus and lockdowns raging on and off for more than a year now, we are still fighting the battle with COVID-19. Treat this like the new normal and patronize local business owners and responsible tour operators. 

Despite all of the negative effects the pandemic has had on the travel industry and otherwise, change isn’t always a bad thing. Try to see the positive side of life and keep it in mind wherever that plane lands next!