Travel & Tourism lost its way last year at the height of one of the worst pandemics of the first quarter of the 21st century, the COVID-19 or the Novel Coronavirus. It was also the time when reports after reports were published citing the impact of lockdown on the mental health of the people partly due to the complete ban on travel in almost every region of the world. Travel came to a screeching halt when lockdowns and quarantine measures ensured the general public stayed indoors and maintained social distancing most part of the time.
A study conducted by Harris Polls in 2020 predicted that 47 percent of respondents reported a negative impact of the virus on their mental health, with an increase in the mental anxiety and depression levels, as rightly predicted by the experts. Not just that, the study further expounded that the respondent’s outlook was changed dramatically, with about 73 percent saying that they no longer feel safe travelling by commercial flights, and 67 percent stating that they will play the waiting game until states reopen.
Consequently, after the lockdowns were relaxed in many countries of the world, people were craving to explore travel opportunities and connect with nature to come out of the mental closet. Not long ago, a long vacation far away might have been the apt foil for this existential crisis, but given the way COVID-19 is shaping (or rather re-shaping) itself, it seems like it is in no hurry to recede in the immediate future. This said the cravings for a deeper relationship and intimacy to travel long and hard have just got bigger!
It is expected that people, especially this year, will travel–locally and regionally (frequently) to visit long-missed friends and enjoy family get-togethers. This is a powerful antidote to the mental pressures and depression due to the long drawn gap created by the pandemic. Tour operators and travel agencies must tailor their tour package so as to design this experience and foster a much deeper connect with people’s travel aspirations.
