The COVID-19 pandemic has taken all the travel plans to a standstill. This time we are even eating food after washing it thrice in soda water, is it something that we ever think of? In every Summer holidays we have always been making plans for international or domestic tours but now we do not know about our next trip, and if we do, when? And how? We have asked India’s top travel experts to share their opinion about this matter.

COVID-19 has badly influenced almost every country on the planet, and each one is fighting and recovering at a different rate. In this environment of insecurity, people are also more likely to prefer places close to home, so that they can easily come back home if necessary. This means people will plan for weekend destinations nearby their cities or within the city. All the travel experts agree that for the next few months, we are more likely to pick Indian destinations after corona outbreak, that means domestic tours only.

While things are continuously changing, it is for sure that Goa had reported only seven confirmed cases, all of whom are fully recovered. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, both tourist hubs, have reported under 50 cases, while Andaman & Nicobar, Ladakh, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Puducherry have far fewer than that. Sikkim, amazingly, has not had a single case yet. It concludes that all above along with Northeast tour would be the best option to go with for future travel planning.

“Travel will definitely shift from no travel to necessary travel and then to all travel.” – Priya Paul; Chairperson; Apeejay Surendra Park Hotels
 

There is no denying fact that everyone is waiting to get back to normal—whatever that is going to look like. But we need to face the truth that things have changed now. And you will have to change, too. Experts predict that travelers going to pick accommodation differently. First, everyone will start booking with those whom they can trust to have hygiene systems in place to keep you safe and secure. You will also go for smaller properties or private villas to avoid crowd and Key cards might also become a thing of the past. As for crowded buffet breakfasts? No chance, it can be ala-carte or arranging buffets at 2-3 halls to limit the crowd. Now people will prefer to pay digitally, no more cash, thanks to our PM Modi ji for already encouraging digitalization. Road trips will be preferred over flights and trains, that is the best option for corona safe travel.

In Goa, it has been a topic of discussion that foreign tourists requiring a health certificate to visit. Even Yuval Noah Harari, author of Sapiens, raised his voice for a global agreement on pre-screening of tourists in their home countries before they board their international flights. “If you are aware that only fully screened travelers were allowed on a plane, you would be keener to welcome them into your country,” he wrote recently in the Financial Times. Airlines like Etihad and Emirates are already taking measures on investigating with new procedures like mandatory blood tests for all travelers and staff.

Before moving out on any road trip, all we need to take care is taking all safety measures against corona-virus, even if the risk will be lower. you need to make list of things to carry to fight against corona:

Ø  Sanitizer; most important one

Ø  Mask, do not forget to wash it after one use

Ø  Disposable gloves

Ø  Tissues, Toilet roll

Ø  Pee safe spray

Ø  Disposable plates, spoons

Ø  Electric kettle, to cook or wash fruits with boiled water

Ø  Dry food like snacks, biscuits, Maggie, dry fruits

Experts also forecast that we will start preferring road trips to weekend destinations to which we can drive in our own private vehicles. Just imagine, an open road, your favorite song playing, blue sky above, greenery all around. Many car-rental companies will likely come forward to offer good rates post-lockdown, with promises of each vehicle having been well sanitized after each use. In the short-term, there might still be some limitations on crossing state borders specially for leisure travel, so plan for weekend gateways within your own state. Major cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata have a host of magnificent options. Other options that you can think of is camping under the sky in nearby forests or fields with some fire-sticks, own tent, dry food, music system else your car can also serve the purpose of accommodation and music isn’t? 😊