Travelling doesn’t seem like it will return to normalcy anytime soon due to COVID-19. The rapidly fast outbreak around the world has impacted the travel industry tremendously. In fact, most countries have imposed their own set of travel restrictions and regulations.
Hotels are being used to serve quarantines, while almost-travellers are scrambling to cancel trips and get refunds. Once a vaccine becomes available and can be distributed to the masses, how different will travelling be like? To answer your question, read on!
Travellers will adopt a disinfecting regimen
During our air or road travels, we often take cleanliness for granted. Just because we can’t see germs and bacteria lying on the surface, it’s easy to assume that they don’t exist. In the new normal, seeing people disinfecting their seats and spraying the area with antibacterial spray won’t be seen as odd. Especially with reports claiming that aeroplane seatback trays are the dirtiest place on the plane – along with seatbelts, headrest, washroom handles and more.
However, this won’t just apply to just travellers, but to airline industries and airports as well. Technology will play a crucial role in the revival of travel, such as touchless travelling, medical screening and robot cleaners being put into place to sanitise the area.
The importance of travel insurance
Not just any travel insurance, but dependable travel insurance that provides extensive coverage to support you in any cases. Before, travel insurance used to be regarded as an afterthought. But now, people are more aware of how travel insurance helps. Having secured reliable travel insurance would help ease your mind during your journey, ensuring a stress-free trip. In case you face any cancellation in hotel bookings and such, know that your insurance has your back.
However, travel insurance isn’t the only thing you have to keep in mind when travelling in the future. Covering basic medical care may not be sufficient in the event of an emergency. A medical transfer, for example, an air ambulance may be necessary for patients requiring immediate medical attention and a transfer to a specific location.
Staying close to home
The world has seen the most significant economic crisis since the COVID-19 pandemic. Some people will likely have lesser money to travel to a faraway land or make a non-essential trip. Although travelling domestically would be a less scary prospect as it’s cheaper than a trip across the country.
It’s also possible that COVID-19 testing or vaccination would be made mandatory before embarking on any global adventures. Seeing how contagious the virus is, it’s not worth for countries to take the risk. Adding on, government-mandated quarantine might be the norm. Even now, travelling to our neighbouring country, Malaysia, would require us Singaporeans to pay an additional fee for a two weeks quarantine there.
The rise of recovery programs
Most destinations would most probably issue a recovery strategy, including discounts, to encourage people to travel and revive tourism. The idea of cherry blossom trees and hot springs aren’t as enticing enough now.
According to the chief of Japan’s Tourism Agency, Japan is offering to pay for a fraction of your travel expenses when you visit the country once the pandemic is under control. At the moment, authorities are still working out the kinks in the plan and details have yet to be announced. And it’s also unclear if the subsidies would apply for domestic travellers or if it’ll be extended to international travels.
Conclusion
With the world on a pause, it’s important to remain hopeful that travel will eventually resume! Even though the experience might seem different once the world reopens, you can count on the positive impacts of travelling for an enjoyable trip!
Perhaps, a more mindful approach to travelling might occur, with fewer or more meaningful trips made, especially after emerging from months of safe distancing. But even with a different global situation – the same still applies when it comes to precautionary measures. Know when you require medical assistance such as medical evacuation, particularly when there’s an emergency. With the appropriate help and care from experience staffs and the proper types of equipment, your safety and health and is well-assured.
