How the Coronavirus Will Change the Future of Travel

A Guest Post by Molly Crockett

Despite daydreams of exploring new cities and strolling barefoot along beaches, it’s hard to imagine jetting off on holiday whilst still in the crush of coronavirus lockdowns. When we can’t even travel down the road to see our families, the idea of jumping on a flight seems far-fetched. It will happen slowly but, there will be a time when travel becomes a safe and viable option again. In a globalised world, people will definitely be pushing to open up countries once more but what will that look like? Many aspects of future travel may be changed for good.

Domestic Travel

After so much time spent cooped up indoors, it’s understandable that most people will be craving a holiday. However, even after restrictions start to be lifted, it will be a long time before international travel is widely accepted again. This is thanks to the different recover rates of countries and how easily a new wave of infection can be caused from travelling overseas. Therefore, most people’s first travelling breaks will be domestic. People are likely to explore the treasures of their own country and fill their holidays visiting new cities and experiencing their country’s wildlife by camping or hiking in national parks. Also, people will be wanting to visit the friends and family that they’ve been deprived from for months. That will mean cross-country visits, day trips and weekends away. The set up for domestic travel is also much less risky.

“The effects of the coronavirus will last longer than the disease does. Even if corona no longer poses any threat, there will be a period of time where people would rather avoid large crowds and airport” says Ethan McSharry, a travel writer at Oxessays and Eliteassignmenthelp.

Air Travel

The jury is out on how air travel will look post corona. When people don’t want to fly, such as after 9/11, airlines typically respond by slashing prices and ramping up security. Some experts believe that the travel restrictions will have a similar effect. As airlines get more flights back in the air, they will be trying to fill the seats. Since people will be hesitant about international travel and about flying in particular, they will persuade them with cheap ticket prices. However, some disagree, airlines will have huge losses that they will have to make up for in the future. And, if airlines start to incorporate safety measures such as spread out seats and fewer passengers, individual tickets will become more expensive. Only time will tell for sure what air travel will look like in the years to come.

Protective Measures

After weeks of scrubbing hands clean and staying 2 meters apart, hygiene and safety will be at the forefront of everyone’s minds. Travel companies, airlines and airports will see hesitation in travel and particularly international travel unless they take the steps to reassure the public that they will be safe. Airports could possibly introduce permanent temperature checks to try and reduce sick people travelling. Also, airplane structure may be changed to eliminate the middle seat and spread people out.

Finances

Although people may be craving a sun-soaked holiday more than ever, the worldwide economy may block travel for a while. An unfortunate side effect to corona is the decimation of many industries and the large-scale loss of jobs. People just aren’t in the position to earn and save money during lockdown which will leave them in a poor financial position post-corona and prevent them from taking any extravagant holidays. This will be a key factor in determining the type of travelling people will do and how far they go. Many people will hold off on international travel until they are in a more secure financial position and opt instead for closer to home, cheaper breaks.

“How soon people are prepared to travel will be based primarily on its affordability. People will be craving a vacation but may have to get it in a local environment” says Imogen Taylor, a lifestyle blogger at Ukwritings and Revieweal.

Tourism industry

Other than airlines, there are huge numbers of people that depend on tourism from large scale chain hotels to individual small business owners. Some country’s economy’s will be hit hard as they rely heavily on the tourism industry. Extended periods of travel restrictions will damage these businesses world-wide and unfortunately, there will be many that don’t survive. Those that do will have to revamp their business model to make sure tourists feel safe. People may be put off activities that require shared equipment, like snorkelling, without extensive hygienic measures put in place. Job losses in the tourism industry may also negatively affect protective or conservation programmes that usually operate on tourism funding. When tourism begins to open up again, it will take a while for businesses to get back up and running and there may a reduction in the opportunities and activities available when on holiday. However, as such a big revenue opportunity, the tourism industry will definitely build up again.

Environment

Despite the travel inconvenience we are experiencing right now, it’s undeniable that a break from global travel is doing wonders for environments across the world. We have already seen nature and animals begin to take over areas that were previously overrun by human activity. Some of the most trodden tourist trails like in Thailand are benefitting from a break. Although the mass tourism has previously affected beach environments so much they had to be closed, after just a few weeks, there are already rare turtles building nests on Thai beaches. Similar scenes are playing out around the globe, showing not only how resilient the natural world is but how much damage we were doing in the first place. When travel resumes, there will hopefully be measures in place to work with the natural environment and protect it as much as possible. Eco-tourism is likely to spike in popularity and this forced break will give countries an opportunity to set up eco-friendly tourism.

Conclusion

The coronavirus will maintain a withering grip on the travel industry for a while yet. Possibly until the distribution of a vaccine which may not come for another year still. Regardless, the travel industry is too strong and integral to disappear forever and over time, will build up to reach even higher heights.

Molly Crockett shares her marketing knowledge at Big Assignments and State of Writing.  She also loves to give her audience unique lifestyle tips and personal development advice at Assignment writing service.