As the Philippines slowly walks its way towards the new normal, I know many were curious about the new terms of traveling. In this blog on my Travel Series, let me share my thoughts on what tourism could possibly become after the Covid-19 pandemic? Will we be able to see the world again or not?
Image Source Above: Jan Vašek from Pixabay.Com
International travel restrictions will remain close to foreigners.
Particularly this will happen to countries with zero cases of Covid-19. It's impossible for a cautious country to instantly welcome everyone that wants to enter their territory immediately. That's a terrible idea! If these countries happen to lift their travel ban they could consider accepting foreigners that have an essential reason to travel. Meaning to say, people with urgent travels needs only such as:
Medical reasons
A person with a serious medical condition, or a person that will visit an immediate family member that's in a serious health condition.Death
A person that will attend a funeral arrangement for its immediate family member.Business travel
A person that has a serious business issue to resolve and that can only be fixed in person.Study or Work
A student and an employee with overseas contracts and existing enrollment in the country of destination.
Covid-19 Immunization Record and Covid-19 Test Certificate
Once the vaccine is available, I foresee that this will become a new requirement for traveling. The certificate will be seen as an additional travel document for travelers. Especially if they will come to and from countries with Covid-19 cases. A traveler and crew member must truthfully prove that he/she is fit to travel. The traveler is required to show a testing certificate that says he/she has been recently tested for Covid-19 and in very good health condition.New safety measures for all forms of travel. By land, sea, and air.
No cash policy. Either they'll accept payments by credit card or only allow cash via kiosk/machines. Online Check-In, will become mandatory this time to avoid close contact with other passengers. I'm also looking forward to a new list of objects that airlines will require the passengers to bring in their carry on bag. Like a face mask, alcohol, hand sanitizer, and own tissue. Strict sanitization of the vehicle will have a great value for travelers. Whether it's an airplane, van/car rental, or ship. They should strictly do this before and after every trip.
Promotion of local tourism after lockdowns
While international trip restrictions continue, the governments will advocate local trips as an acting revenue source for the tourism industry. This is the master plan of the Department Of Tourism in the Philippines. Based on their recent statements. DOT encourages Filipinos to support local tourism after lockdown.
DOT has estimated 35% of tourist arrivals was gone during the first 3 months of the year.
The approach to bounce from the said loss is to market local tourism to Filipinos once the travel restrictions across the country were lifted. During the live press briefing last Friday, May 1 of Tourism Usec. Benito Bengzon Jr. He said...
“We believe that for the rest of the year, what will really trigger the activities would be the domestic tourism.”
“We need to appeal to the public that once we are given that green light … Let’s put domestic tourism first so we can help those … let’s say restaurants and resorts that have closed and don’t have revenue for the last [few] months.”
Bayanihan
A traditional system of mutual assistance in which the members of a community work together to accomplish a difficult task. In later use also: a spirit of civic unity and cooperation among Filipinos.
Lexico.com
In the meantime, Bayanihan is the hope in the tourism industry. Helping one another is our only way out of the tunnel! Nobody in the industry can survive this alone. Just how we could flatten the curve, we can't succeed this without contributing our individual freedom. Contribute in our own remarkable way. This Covid-19 pandemic has a domino effect. One infected can harm many in just a single mistake. Every type of business is recklessly affected. As a travel agent, I can say that I feel optimistic about the DOT's plan because Filipino's were fully aware of how beautiful this country is. Local tour packages are not a new product. Although, questions may be popped in our minds like...
Can Filipinos afford to travel after being unemployed in 2 months?
Traveling may not be a top priority to the majority of people when this global crisis end. But my hopes are in the hands of wanderlust. These people don't travel because they can afford. They travel because it simply fuels their soul. As Jay Sorensen, president of IdeaWorks and travel analyst said for his April report...
“People love to travel, and business people need to travel.”
“Travel will return again.”
Perhaps, some of us can only see the imperfection of DOT's plan. But I believe they're doing their best to create more constructive solutions for the future of the tourism industry. My faith is on the governments, and tourism companies from all over the world. We are all trying. We're all in this together travel and tour community!
Hindi isusuko para sa turismo. Lalaban tayo
I want to read your opinion below. Where do you think tourism will go for the next month?
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