Marc Zboch says that the tourism industry needs to reevaluate its priorities and shift the focus from promoting destinations as a whole. Instead, it should be about catering to our wants so that every traveler has an enjoyable experience.
It’s been a while since the question "where should I travel to next?" has felt within reach. COVID-19 continues to affect travel by forcing governments and airlines across the world to impose country-specific bans, restrictions, or guidelines for when it is safe to fly again. We may get out of our homes soon, with many countries getting closer to vaccinating people against this virus and gaining herd immunity.
With so much uncertainty about if there will ever be an end to these pandemics and variants, what factors do you plan on considering as your guidebook for where would best suit your needs? Marc Zboch, a well-traveled missionary, philanthropist, and entrepreneur shares the following tips on how to take advantage of post-covid travel opportunities.
Post-pandemic tourism
In the face of tight travel restrictions, people have sought refuge in their homes. But now that government officials are making efforts to ease those constraints, travelers should soon be able to take advantage of an improved environment for tourism.
Travel ads are springing up again
Although significant restrictions on international trips remain in place, agents from global tour and leisure companies have begun advertising again with increased frequency. According to reports, this may be a hopeful sign amid a struggling industry.
New travel conditions
COVID-19 related travel conditions will complicate holidays for the foreseeable future – including potential measures like requiring people to be vaccinated or show proof of prior recovery. The fear is that this could limit foreign travel options It might even affect domestic travelers if air traffic at airports slows down due to COVID-19 concerns or other issues with economic security globally made worse by pandemic panic.
New challenges
The new challenges coming from the pandemic will cause many people's usual holiday choice routines to go out the window! Not only does it seem like destinations may no longer work because of lack of tourism, but attractions themselves might also become irrelevant due to fear associated with them.
Higher expectations
Faced with their desire to travel and the practical obstacles against it, people are expected to make more considered choices about where they go. Tourists in the post-COVID era will be less willing to compromise on their next trip. They'll have much higher expectations of hospitality service providers and become much more demanding than before for accommodation that caters specifically towards wellness, health, or overall wellbeing – prioritizing high hygiene standards which tourists expect (and should) covet as a result.
For tourism industry workers to keep up and provide what is demanded by this new audience, these establishments must focus on providing services catering exclusively towards those desires: offering facilities/services focused primarily on spas & other means of relaxation while still focusing heavily upon safety precautions such.
New tourism options
With many people now living in fear of the pandemic, we are seeing an increase in tourism trends that can take care of these needs. Whether it is important health concerns or luxury treatments for physical and intellectual wellness after a year with restricted access to resources, tourists need more than ever before to explore their mental state and what they want out of life thanks to this disease.
People-oriented tourism
Post-COVID tourism is expected to pivot towards prioritizing human development, dialogue, and peace. Popular types of post-Covid travel are likely to include: traveling for visiting friends and relatives; volunteer work; or even exploring the unknown with a tour company like Warthogs Adventures who specializes in taking travelers off the beaten path into regions such as Africa – which have been destabilized by COVID activity.
Volunteer-tourism
With the economic fallout from COVID-19, effective voluntourism is not only desired but necessary for developing countries. Volunteer tourism – or "voluntourism" as it's also called – plays a key role in alleviating these pressing issues because of its ability to offer people both an opportunity to volunteer and travel at no cost during tough times. The impact that volunteers have on communities they visit often extends far beyond clearing rubble after disasters. Their presence has been shown repeatedly to provide comfort and support by providing medical care, teaching English, building homes—whatever local needs are most urgent that day.
Peace tourism
Peace tourism has become a popular way for people to explore the potential of where peace may lie in their lives. Visitors come from worldwide, often visiting conflict zones hoping that they can help prevent future wars by learning more about past mistakes and working hand-in-hand with locals trying to reconcile differences while developing sustainable ways of life.
One interesting way to engage in peace tourism is by visiting famous peace artworks and exhibitions. Visiting these sites provides an opportunity to understand the history of achieving or searching for a state of peaceful coexistence, which can be elusive at times but important.
Reflecting on the future of travel
Marc Zboch says that the tourism industry needs to reevaluate its priorities and shift the focus from promoting destinations as a whole. Instead, it should be about catering to our wants so that every traveler has an enjoyable experience. This is especially true in light of restrictive travel corridors following recent pandemics like Covid-19. When tourists finally resume traveling, they will be less interested in seeing iconic landmarks now that their significance may not make sense anymore. Providing quality experiences for customers first will allow them to still enjoy what's left of this post-pandemic world while also providing jobs for those who lost theirs because of these health crises too!
