What I Think Travel Will Look Like After Coronavirus
I consider myself a wildly optimistic person ā I often choose to see silver linings and a speck of blue sky in any situation but the coronavirus calls for a harsh reality check. Weāre in unprecedented times and our days are filled with uncertainty ā our lives are impacted in so many varying ways. One industry taking a major hit? The travel industry. What used to be a bubbly industry has suddenly gone sour.
Iāve been reflecting on what I believe life will look like after the coronavirus ā Iāve also been thinking about its impact on the travel industry, an industry where Iāve been an active participator for over six years. Iāve watched the industry grow year on year and 2020 was supposed to be its most profitable year in history. Here are my personal thoughts and predictions of what I think travel will look like after Coronavirus
This article is my personal opinion and prediction based on experience in the travel industry as well as research. Opinions are my own.
1.) International travel will be slow for at least a few years
Thereās no hard and fast way to know when all of this ends and the real impact of it all but if the 9/11 incident is anything to go by, it will take some time to get back to normal again. Travelers will need time to get comfortable with the idea of traveling internationally. The fear of being infected and the scars from being stuck abroad will linger for some time even after the coronavirus period is over. Travelers will need more than a nice travel quote to inspire them to actually get on a plane and experience a new place ā they will need to see real measures in place.
2.) If people do travel, they will go to countries that had less cases
Itās our innate desire to explore so I wouldnāt be surprised if people decide to still go on adventures but I do believe that they will be more attracted to the places where they had records of fewer cases or at least a good recovery rate. But the question is, will those places want to start accepting travelers? This brings me to my next point.
3.) Countries will further tighten travel restrictions
When we think about it, the worldās most powerful country (the United States) has been badly hit by the virus. Other powerful nations like China and Germany have not been spared either. We all know that the powers that be dictates what the rest of the world does. Remember how the US implemented EU restrictions and the rest of the world followed? If the US takes time to recover, so will the rest of the world. Travel restrictions will get tighter as many countries will be very hesitant to open their borders up again until things ease up drastically and that might take a while.
4.) Regional and local travel will increase
Ever heard the phase, ātourist in your city?ā ā well, this will start to be more of a reality given the current state of things. Humans are generally born to explore and not be in one spot for too long so people will find more creative ways to scratch the travel itch without going internationally. People will look to go on adventures in their own country before slowly making their way internationally.
5.) With travel restrictions come more stringent visa policies
For some of us who carry so called weak passports, our passport index will unfortunately drop even lower with tightened visa policies in place. Countries will want to do all they can to restrict the number of foreigners going in and out of their country and guess the easiest way to get this done? VISA barriers.
According to the Passport Index, countries have visa restrictions in order to check and control the flow of visitors in and out of the country and to prevent illegal immigration and other criminal activities. Forcing travellers to apply for a visa allows the authorities to vet potential visitors.
passport index
6.) Airlines will lower flight prices. AKA more flight deals
In a bid to make some money or at least pick up whatās left of the already shaken industry, airlines will try to entice travelers by offering competitive prices while finding creative ways to lower their own cost. Weāve already started to see prices drop (mostly due to the drop in demand) and this may continue well into the future.
7.) Preference for brand name hotels over vacation rentals like airbnb
Should travelers decide to travel, they will opt to go with familiar brand names in the hospitality industry like the Marriotts or the Sheratons as they have built trust over the years and in times of uncertainty or fear, people like to gravitate towards whatās familiar. The idea of lodging in a private accommodation run by individuals (Airbnb) will just not be as appealing because thereās no way to test quality control.
8.) Travel will ultimately resume but the way we travel will change
No doubt that the travel industry will bounce back and become stronger than ever. Humans are born explorers ā weāll always want to travel and if this lockdown is anything to go by, itās a reiteration that humans crave human connection, outdoor time and adventure. Travel will resume eventually ā weāll just have to slowly ease our way in and once we do, weāll be more conscious, responsible and sustainable travelers. Or at least I hope so.
Conclusion
I believe the future of travel post corona depends on the availability of a vaccine, which scientists predict will only become available in 2021 ā or at least a concrete proof by players in the travel industry that safety measures are in place. In the absence of this, many travelers, especially the conservative ones will have to settle for traveling more locally. For now, letās do what we can to #flattenthecurve.
Until next time,
Stay safe and healthy.
Three months later and you’re still spot on!!! Travel is slowly resuming but people are still quite skeptical, only few flights to less affected areas even though some other places are trying to put incentives to attract people *cough cough* lol.
I hope the world recovers fully pretty soon, I hope we can still be careful while still enjoying our adventurous and heart-pumping travels and activities. š
Yes you are right in all aspect. Travelling after this coronavirus pandemic will be very hard somehow, and people like even the United States would tighten up their process to get into the country
your predictions are very well informed indeed. Yes we will bounce back which is human nature inherently, but it will take a while. I am of the opinion that the fastest way to ensure people can move around again with ease is to make easy testing kits widely available and accessible and the issuance of an immunity certificate. to those who contracted and have survived it as well as those who are asymptomatic and are no longer infectious. However, we can only look on and see how the rest of the year unfolds.
You said personal opinion but Iād say logical. I definitely agree with all of these predictions and no lies were told. 2020 was the envisioned most profitable year for the travel industry? Wow! To think a lot of people had plans for the year too. We pray the whole thing ends soon and we can start activating the normal. Lovely post and good job! ā¤ļøā¤ļøšš¾
Loved this post ! Have been thinking of this for a while now. Had some of your points in mind as well. It’s just the whole hospitality industry that has taken a fall on this. And before it gets back on its feet it will take some time.
Me being in the hospitality (travel and restaurant) it hit me very hard. Because I had nowhere to choose or go. No working from home for me.
But keeping it positive!
Great read!
Awesome post as usual Ufuoma. Travel insurance will be valued and people will also book with airlines directly than third party agencies. It took so long for the industry to get this far but i hope it’s not back to zero post coronavirus.
Great post-Ufuoma! I definitely agree that a lot will change post coronavirus. People will be very careful when making travel plans. Hence, there will be fewer travels within the first few years. The travel and tourism industry has taken and will continue to take a big hit. Hopefully, things will get better and make a huge turnaround. We must all work together and do our part to #flattenthecurve.
Interesting read here. I always saw it from one view which was, since the tourism sector took a massive hit and governments are reaching deep into their pockets to bail companies and stimulus packages for its people. Once a vaccine was introduced Tourism would be one of the way countries will try to balance it’s books and also a way for airline companies to recoup. People have been indoors,yes and as many humans who would like to be careful after a huge amount of people also realised life is short after this scare and can’t wait to move round the planer after this is done. I really never thought of the other points you highlighted, Good read šš