While some countries are slowly starting to get back to normal and are opening their borders, there are also those who are nowhere near that stage yet. The coronavirus outbreak has affected many spheres of life, from work and education to simply getting our groceries. However, it has also impacted the way we travel and the way we will continue to travel for some time. So, let’s look at how this has changed and what we should do when planning our trips once the quarantine restrictions end.
Keep preserving local nature
Every eco-conscious traveler knows that we cannot be careless during our trips. This means that we have to protect the planet as much as we can by doing everything in our power to not pollute it and preserve it for future generations. While COVID-19 might have changed a lot of aspects of traveling, this is not one of them. So, start by saying no to single-use items – bring your own tote bags for when you go shopping for groceries in the town you’re visiting; carry a reusable water bottle and coffee cup; pack your snacks in reusable containers; say no to plastic straws and cutlery. There are so many ways to reduce your carbon footprint. In addition to this, you need to respect your surroundings. You are a guest in a foreign land so make sure you value the locals, their culture, and traditions. Don’t be offensive and follow the proper dress code. If you visit a zoo or a wildlife sanctuary, read up on the rules and don’t break them. If you’re not allowed to feed the animals or take pics of them, don’t do it – simple as that.
Volunteer in the places you visit
Besides ensuring you treat the place you are visiting with respect, you can also do a bit more by choosing to volunteer abroad. Unfortunately, there will always be areas in need of help and this coronavirus situation may have made things worse. From helping fight poverty and building homes for the underprivileged to teaching kids and adults and providing them with healthcare, there are many ways how you can contribute. If you’d rather work with animals, this option is also available – just do some research. Once you’ve done your homework in terms of the best places for volunteering and you get there, be as friendly and cooperative as possible, and listen to what the locals are asking of you.
Consider promoting places that need help
Certain places depend on tourism to be able to survive. If you’ve visited a country and noticed that there are not as many tourists as before COVID-19 happened, you can do your part in helping promote it. For example, suggest your friends visit the place as well. Take nice photos of the local beauties and post them to your Facebook and Instagram. That might intrigue your followers to check out the place. Visit museums and other historic places to help conserve and preserve the country’s culture. If you’ve encountered a nice little shop, leave a good review and remind people why it’s important to support local businesses and buy from them. Every little bit matters.
Get travel insurance
Other than looking out for the places you will be visiting, you also have to look out for yourself. The best way to do that is by getting travel insurance. This situation has shown us that pandemics are not well covered when it comes to travel insurance policies and it will certainly impact the way they are created from now on. Still, a reputable policy will surely be able to protect you in case your travel agent goes out of business. Moreover, consider paying with your credit card as that can also protect your finances.
Look for the best possible deals
Before you pack your suitcase and prepare all your travel accessories, you need to ensure you are getting the best possible deal. While travel prices will potentially be a lot cheaper, you should also take your economic state into consideration. What can you afford? Should you look for something local? Can you go overseas? How long will the vacation last – a few days or two weeks? Assuming you can pay for your vacation, it’s also vital to see what the deal includes. Maybe the price is extremely cheap but they are not including meals and plane tickets. Do your homework before you accept something that looks like a bargain. Furthermore, even though many travel agencies are closing down due to the unfortunate circumstances, there are still reputable ones you can rely on to get a good deal. Something else to consider is organizing everything on your own. For example, if you book plane tickets and call the hotel to make room reservations, you are cutting out the middleman. This means that making changes and asking for refunds is much easier without a third party that also gets a cut of the money.
Hopefully, this coronavirus lockdown will pass soon and we will all be able to leave quarantine and explore the parts of the world we didn’t get a chance to visit before. The way we travel will definitely change but maybe we will get something good out of it as well.
