Travel Reflections Post COVID-19

1. How often do you travel a year for leisure? 

The respondents made between one to five leisure trips a year before the COVID-19 pandemic, with an average of two trips a year. The norm is to take one short and one long trip each year. 

2. How long is each trip duration?

It ranges from three to twenty-eight days. For short trips, the average duration is four days. For longer trips, the average  duration is ten days.

The Travel Bucket List maps out the countries the respondents last visited prior to the Covid-19 pandemic and the countries on their bucket list.

3. When and where was your last leisure trip?

Most of the respondents had their 'last hurrah' in December 2019, in view of the year end period and the usual exodus of travellers to the 'usual suspects' like Taiwan, Thailand, Japan and Korea. This is interesting as the year end period consists of the longer school holidays, thus the assumption would be to travel further to Europe, United States or Australia. The respondents shared that they preferred these nearer countries as they are cheaper compared to the further countries, especially if they are travelling with the whole family. Moreover, there are activities, sights and food suitable for the whole family.

4. What are your bucket list countries and why?

'Scandinavia', 'Greece' and 'South America' were some popular destinations when respondents were queried on their travel bucket list. 'Exotic' is the key as these are countries which have laid back vibes, colourful cultures, or a danger element which appeal to Singaporeans who are ever so open to new adventures. Other countries include Italian coasts, Alaska, Cuba, South Africa, Bhutan, Mongolia and Australia. 

5. How do you do your trip planning?

Most of the respondents would research on the countries which they intend to visit. For those who are more structured, they will start by doing some research of the countries, using multiple sources to make a rough list of the places of interest to them. Once they have a place in mind, they will start booking their air tickets and hotels. 

However, there is a minority who do not plan at all.  Alison,  42, single, shared that she used to have a map in her office. She would  throw a dart randomly at the map and wherever it lands would be her next travel destination. For travellers like her, they do not bother with research. Once they confirm their annual leave, they will book the air ticket and only the first night accommodation. They will only start researching  the day before departure, and read up about essential information. Then, it is a day by day decision on what to do and where to go. Quoting Ivy, 43, married with no children,  "I do not need to see everything."

6. What resources do you use for trip planning?

Contrary to expectations, there is a good variety of resources used for those who do trip planning. Some start off by using aggregator sites like Trip Advisor, Expedia; some read up travel blogs for ideas and reviews; the more studious ones visit the library to borrow travel guides; some refer to travel itineraries from their friends; and a last group who would visit the country's tourism board. Definitely not forgetting Google, especially for the group who do not do any prior travel research or planning.

7. What is your reflection regarding travel from the Covid-19 pandemic?

A couple of them expressed regret that they did not travel more often or when they could. They were waiting for best opportunities like best pricing, best deals, best timings etc. Their advice now is then to travel when you can and not wait.  Katrina, 59, married with grown up children, advocates that travelling increase one’s knowledge of other countries and their cultures . It is to experience first hand the communities and the environment which is not available by watching documentaries or reading brochures on them . 

The more pragmatic ones indicated that they would only travel to places which have safe Covid-19 measures or when the situation has stabilised, with Lorraine, 43, single,  echoing the importance of social responsibility. She is of the opinion that while it is suffocating not to be able to travel freely, before that happens, everyone has a responsibility to keep himself healthy and to keep the virus at bay. Only when the virus is kept under control then can we have a state of mind to enjoy the travels.

8. What would you have done differently?

Two respondents, Alison and Joy, married with no children, 43, indicated that they would not have done anything differently as they have been travelling prior to the pandemic. They were not ones to wait and defer travel. For those who have decided to defer travel until the worldwide situation has stabilised, considerations would be the COVID-19 measures in place, as well as keeping themselves healthy and clean to boost their immunity to the virus .

Lenny, 42, married with three children, would consider travelling more often and further instead of just restricting her family travel to the region, in view of costs. Katrina would like to promote "off the beaten  paths" on social media that may not be on the tourist maps to create sustainability for owners of such farms or cafes.

9. How do you think travel will change when travel opens up? 

"Vaccinations", "restrictions", "protocols" are the common words shared by the respondents. There are likely to have  more procedures to be adhered to.  People may still be wary of one another.  Countries may require vaccinations as proof of entries. Travellers may opt for countries with good COVID-19 measures in place, Masks will be a norm, as with social distancing. These are likely to jack up the air fares. The inflight meals may be prepacked and sealed prior to airplanes taking off. 

10. How has the pandemic change your perception towards travel?

Quoting Lenny, "Covid is a lost decade and we do not have many decades to spare." A number of respondents do not wish to waste time further and possess a 'just do it' type of mentality. However, there are a handful who would only be encouraged to travel to countries with rigorous COVID-19 management measures. Some are prepared not to travel in the next couple of years until the pandemic settles down.

For the rest, the pandemic has not changed their perception of travel. They acknowledged that there is nothing much  they can do but to wait for the situation to improve and stabilise. Only then, can they resume their travels.