Think people aren’t travelling during COVID-19? The travel trends might surprise you.
While people often associate travel with hopping on a flight, the onset of COVID-19 has changed the way people travel. And it may be awhile before things go back to “normal”.
It’s human nature to want to explore. There aren’t many better feelings in the world than finishing that last day at work before a holiday. The excitement about getting on a plane and waking up on the other side of the world is a feeling that many people are yearning for, in the midst of COVID-19. Unfortunately, it’s hard to say when we’ll be able to safely return to international travel.
This current global pandemic has seen people cooped up in their homes, but that doesn’t mean people aren’t still travelling.
You don’t need to go far to get a good, old-fashioned travel experience, and it’s up to the travel and tourism industry to let people know about it.
People are travelling closer to home
While we’re fortunate enough to live in Western Australia, where COVID-19 almost feels like a distant memory, people all over the world are looking to get out and explore the world around them. And we mean around them.
How often do you ask yourself, how much of my own state or city have I really seen? Many people often neglect the travel opportunities in their own backyard, but COVID-19 has changed that. Even in the US, where COVID-19 numbers remain high, people are still looking to scratch that travel itch.
COVID-19 has certainly had a devastating impact on the travel and tourism industry, but it’s actually an opportunity for great growth on a smaller scale. Think about what kinds of experiences you can offer people closer to home. Are there any hiddens close by? What new go-to destinations have gone unexplored for too long?
Looking for a great spot in WA? You can’t go past Coral Bay!
People are exploring the great outdoors
We’ll admit: we love sipping a cocktail by the hotel pool or going to town on the buffet as much as anyone. But in a COVID-19 world, most indoor or hotel-based activities are almost out of the question. So, what’s the alternative?
Get out there and explore the great outdoors. And that’s exactly what people are doing. According to Google, more and more people are searching for things like hiking trails, national parks, and outdoor activities.
If you’re in the travel and tourism industry, with much of what you have to offer being close to nature, why not take this opportunity to remind people what they have on their doorstep.
Marketing travel during COVID-19
Before you take to your computer and start putting together the greatest local travel EDM the world has ever seen, here are a few things to consider:
- What are your local travel regulations at the moment?
- Can the destinations you’re recommending handle and influx of travellers?
- How do you market travel sensitively during such a difficult time in many people’s lives?
While the idea of getting out there and exploring destinations closer to home sounds great in theory, you need to make sure you have all the information before you start telling people to pack their bags. The last thing you want to be doing right now is spreading misinformation, especially about what is and isn’t safe for people to do.
