Coronavirus cases are still spiking at the start of 2021 in America and beyond. People are still not allowed to travel anywhere they please. Countries have remained closed to those with a U.S. passport, although travellers are already raring to scratch their itch for wanderlust.
It’s easy to miss other countries for the variety that they offer to travellers. There is Australia with its homes featuring fixed decking you can lounge out on under the sun and the large outback; France and the City of Eternal Lights; Japan and the rush-hour of Tokyo; and the different, myriad places in Latin America, which is even just south of the border.
How long borders will remain closed remains unknown, but people are already looking to a time past that. Right now, here are some possible changes that might occur after the last reported coronavirus patient leaves the hospital, cured of the disease.
Travellers will become campaigners of sustainability
For sure, travel will face a surge of demand once restrictions are lifted, but that will be contrasted with travellers playing the role of guardians. What will they guard? Well, the environment always stands to lose a lot after an influx of irresponsible visitors. This is what travellers will be up on arms against-companies allowing travellers to just, well, travel.
Right now, you can play guardian by trying to keep your carbon footprint (trash and the like) to a minimum. If you plan to stay at the accommodation, make sure that it’s a green hotel. Websites available right now provide ratings on places based on eco-friendliness; if you want to be sure you’re staying at a green building, try that out.
Travelling will become an inclusive chore
Even during the pandemic, people have been demanding more inclusiveness. This doesn’t just mean the LGBTQ+ crowd-some people are being included in their demands. It is predicted that the landscape of travelling will change further to include everyone, regardless of race or gender.
Even travellers with disabilities and other conditions that make them feel not included will be well thought of. Indeed, if that happens-or continues to happen-it will be a very different travelling experience than the one that you may have experienced before the quarantine.
Travelling to smaller communities will grow
Many communities suffered during the pandemic, and most of them are found in the “global south” or third world or developing countries that depend on tourism. Most of these are found in South-East Asia. It is expected that travelling after the pandemic will bring more tourists here.
There will still be a huge demand for the Parises and the Hawaiis of the world, but the keyword here is mass tourism. After the pandemic, people might become warier of huge crowds that may carry mysterious illnesses. This will benefit the smaller communities more.
Travellers should remain aware of the guidelines
Before travelling anywhere, seasoned travellers will check the guidelines set by the authorities. Through this, some travellers managed not to get the virus, although others may have been unfortunate. Now, everybody is expected to check the guidelines after the pandemic regardless of whether there have been changes.
It is helpful to always consider checking it. There is different information here, and it will also tell you whether travel to a destination is already allowed or if it is still off-limits due to the pandemic or other reasons. You shouldn’t push through with your plans if it’s obvious that the place is not safe.
Travellers will be more aware of the WHO and CDC websites
This could be true after the recent pandemic. The WHO and the CDC are always on the lookout for new viruses on the scale of COVID-19, so it’s not over killing to always look at their advisories right before travelling. Who knows whether the place you’re going to is the breeding ground for a new coronavirus or some new contagious disease.
Information disseminated through these announcements will be easy to read because it is for the public. These aren’t the only advisories you have to read, of course, but they’ll become a necessity in the new normal.
Travelling under the new normal will still be like the old way of travelling, save for a few changes. People will become warier of places experiencing a small outbreak of a disease or something else. After all, their priority will still be their health, despite their desire to travel. If you’re a regular traveller, you should learn to include them in your to-do list to travel under the new normal.