THE FUTURE OF POST-PANDEMIC TRAVEL
Travel has always been an integral part of life in terms of exploration, adventure, culture and education. It was something that provided inspiration, escapism from reality and hours of soul searching in far flung destinations as well as the yearning to give back to communities via social and sustainable projects. However, after witnessing the events of the past few months of the world in lockdown and the effects of halting travel has had on the global economy, the green light on travel has been granted but what does the future hold for tourism?
Personally, I believe travel in the future will never be the same again. For one the planet has spoken and has not had many benefits from the lack of over-consumerism on its resources. Travellers have slowly but surely taken this on board as well as becoming more savvy on where and how they wish to travel with many wishing to support the local economy. We still want to go abroad but travel is being shaped to be a lot cleaner, greener, safer and more considerate. Welcome to the ‘new normal’.
How the Face of Travel is Changing in the Foreseeable Future
Taking a flight
Technology is being introduced by airports and airlines to include temperature monitoring before boarding the flight, time slots for passengers arriving at the airport to reduce huge queues as well as social distancing in the airport itself such as restaurants, restrooms and duty-free shopping.
British Airways
It will be compulsory on future flights to wear masks onboard and throughout the customer journey. Check-in and boarding procedures will be adapted so less time is spent in contact with staff as well as the introduction of sanitising units across the airports. Passengers will be provided with ‘Protect Masks’ containing wipes and hand sanitiser. Special dietary and children’s meals will not be provided on board with overhead lockers and queuing for the restrooms to be discouraged.
Qatar Airways
The airline is sanitising headsets. Onboard linens and sanitising all major passenger touch points regularly with cabin crew wearing full PPE over their uniforms. Qatar Airways also have automated disinfectant robots in Hamad International Airport, which emit UV-C lights that can eliminate viral particles.
Etihad Airways
‘Wellness Ambassadors”, who are multi-lingual will be in place to update passengers on safety precautions and offer advice on staying safe and protected.
For more information, have a look at the International Air Transport Information (IATA’S) website at the interactive map of airports here.
Choosing a Staycation
Staying at home may be a great affordable and safer option for families especially over the summer months. Plenty of great getaways right on our doorstep in England with fun activities to do such as outdoor pursuits, and visiting the English coastline with Norfolk, Devon and Cornwall being so popular with the reputation of the English Riviera.
I have my eyes set on country staycations for the next few months to escape the four walls of home.
Day trips and excursions to properties and sites run by National Trust, English Heritage sites would be a welcomed way to support local and swot up on some history of the country.
Increased Interest in Sustainable Holidays
Over the past few years, more sustainable travel has been at the forefront of many travellers priorities, which resonates with my personal style of travel. Post lockdown, the need to support the wellness of the environment, trying to off-set the carbon footprint and choose more responsibly will be even more at the forefront of our minds.
Have a read of the below to get some ideas on how you can be a more mindful and sustainable traveller to contribute to eco-tourism
Entering the ‘New Norm’ of Hotel Stays
If you do love a hotel stay and love the popular holidaying destinations in the Middle-east such as Dubai, the famous Atlantis, The Palm implemented some interesting precautions. Expect to have the option of your luggage being sanitised before being let into your room, a welcome kit can be provided with sanitising products during a stay. The resort has even eployed a dedicated hygiene officer to ensure standards are being met including private and discreet temperature checking with digital infra-red thermometers.
The Hilton hotels will even be adding a room seal on the doors of rooms to demonstrate the room has not been entered since the sanitising process.
Trade the City Metropolis in Exchange for Island or Nature Breaks
Ever thought of swapping a city break with something a little less crowded and quieter? Maybe opting for an island escape or somewhere out in the country would offer a more authentic and stress-free style of holiday?
Remote lodges and locations is what I usually pride my travel style on so these are at the top of my list including farm stays for a unique and more ethical experience.
A Good Time to discover a Self-Driving Holiday
The freedom and flexibility of a driving holiday is immense, and the time is literally your own without having to stick to tour schedules and pick up times. Driving a route and following where the road takes you, stopping off at local guesthouses has it’s own rewards and makes for a memorable trip. We drove from North island down to South Island in New Zealand a couple of years ago and was definitely one of the most isolating but exhilarating experiences to date.
Thoughts
Although the thought of boarding a plane just yet, fills me with apprehension, I am a little more comfortable knowing measures and precautions in the travel industry are being implemented for the future. Thus giving us the opportunity to be able to enjoy a more greener or safer approach to travel. The ‘new norm’ is no bad thing, allowing travellers to enjoy a bit more out of the box, unconventional travel, which is more of an adventure and challenge.
Over to you folks, lets continue the conversation below. How do you see the new future of travel?
À bientôt
Binny
Love this! I’m all for an increased in people travelling more responsibly and sustainability being a focus. I am personally looking forward to more UK travel but my heart does want to go home to Kenya but at the moment they have a 2 week mandatory quarantine which is in a hotel you have to fund yourself and also the flight bit is scaring me as its 8 hours.
Bejal
BinnyThanks Binny! I can totally understand why youd like to go home and its really heartbreaking for you but that quarantine is no incentive. Ahh yes getting on a flight is really something that makes me very nervous too! THink we just need to do the watch and wait for now but yes staycations once the Leicester lockdown is over too. B x
Kerry LifeandLoves
It is so weird to imagine the changes in travel that we will all face now isn’t it. I am hoping and praying that people will remember the lessons that we have been shown, and try to travel more consciously. We can only hope. Like you, I will not be getting on a plane just yet, but may look at doing so for our traditional December trip. I am also reassured by the measures airlines are putting in place, thank you for that knowledge. The trouble I have is i seem to have a bit of a fear of crowds now! I want to find those little quiet, off the track places to visit! It will be interesting to see how it all pans out won’t it Be.
Bejal
Kerry LifeandLovesCouldn’t agree with you more Kerry. This has just made me want to go to remote places even more, I mean I try and do it anyway just because I like the nature aspect, but I feel very nervous about being surrounded by people who don’t live with me. Getting on a plane though is still a pretty scary story. I’d also like to see if there is a spike once travel is active again and then maybe decide what to do. Thanks so much for reading and your interesting comment as always. B xx
Mostlyfoodandtravel
A great read Bejal and agree travel will not be the same until there is a vaccine. Staycations is the way forward but they are not cheap especially at peak times. I hope we have a good British summer so we can enjoy being outdoors more.
Bejal
MostlyfoodandtravelThankyou Neha. My only concern with a vaccine is that is won’t cover evolving strains of Covid. I think once this lockdown is over in Leicester at least, I agree a staycation would be lovely but maybe post school holidays. Oh gosh, please man upstairs, give us some sun. B x
Angie Silver (@SilverSpoonLDN)
It looks like there will be so many changes ahead. But I firmly believe many of these are for the better.
Bejal
Angie Silver (@SilverSpoonLDN)Absolutely Angie and totally agree. They seem daunting to start but really they’re only for our safety and protection B x
the Curious Pixie
The one positive to come out the pandemic is the hope that people will travel more mindfully and responsibly. It’s going to be so strange when we have to board a plane for the first time.
Bejal
the Curious PixieYes I totally agree with you Sima. I’m already feeling quite apprehensive about boarding a plane!
Monal Pancholi
It is just mind-blowing to think that these changes are on such a global scale! Travelling is my favourite thing to do so with a long summer holiday ahead and nowhere to go, it will be very unusual. Like the other comments, staycations are looking like the most sensible option. That will be when I can be within 1m with my boyfriend/people outside of my household of course! More so than leaving the country – which is usually always my desire – I am just craving newness and adventure in any form, and maybe it will uncover a new found appreciation for my home country ????
Bejal
Monal PancholiHey Monal, thanks for dropping by! It’s such a strange era for travel in the future but the one saving grace is that it is all for our safety. The summer is really going to be a long stretch for many and I would agree with you staycations are going to quite the fashion and supporting small businesses. Og now I know for a fact that there are some incredible places in the county and neighbouring counties for you to explore and enjoy this summer. B x
aeparker81
It will be very interesting in the coming weeks as people start to travel from the UK to a) see what happens to our virus rates but b) see, more interestingly, the type of travel and destinations most sought after! Perhaps our beaches will be safer and emptier…
Bejal
aeparker81Yes that will be very interesting indeed and that could be the case with the beaches!I’d like to sit back and watch for a while before makinmg any travel decisions B x
Emma Boatman
we were supposed to be going to Prague in September but just learned this has been cancelled. I’m going to look for a little Air BnB that we can rent for the same weekend. It’s the not having anything to look forward to that’s driving me potty!!
Em x
Bejal
Emma BoatmanAww no, I don’t blame you Emma. Hop you find somewhere! I get it, it’s been such a long slog and now really want to book somewhere but not in the school hols as prices seem to be sky high too B xx
Emmalene Fletcher
I’m definitely going to be staying more home than abroad this year I think – there is far too much to consider about international travel at the moment. I consider this year to be a “reset” year, one where we press pause and then hopefully we can start considering adventures again next year.
Bejal
Emmalene FletcherI agree I like the idea of the ‘reset’ year and considering adventures closer to home is a great way to explore our beautiful country more! I’d love to go abroad but just not sure how I feel about getting on a plane just yet! B x