The New Normal Travel:
Travelling During COVID Times
What to Expect When Travelling During COVID Times, and Ensuring a COVID Safe Vacation
When the COVID-19 pandemic broke out and the virus spread to every corner of the globe, the world was turned upside down. Travel restrictions and border closures ensued as each country and area tried to control the spread. As a result, travel, and tourism came to a halt. As the world gradually opens up and constraints are reduced, the thought of a vacation is becoming more appealing. The question now is, what will the experience of traveling during COVID moments be like?
In general, travel during COVID outbreaks will be restricted and will gradually become more accessible, depending on each country’s ability to contain the pandemic within its boundaries. Furthermore, higher demands for regulations, increased documentation, and other factors will certainly make the trip more tiresome for both destinations and travelers.
However, it is not all terrible news. Things are starting to come together, and where there is a will, there is a way! So, it appears that travel in 2021 is definitely on the table.
Travel 2021: The Slow Awakening
The travel and tourist business has suffered greatly. Being ‘dormant’ for an extended period of time has prompted many sectors and tourist places to rethink how they have previously operated, and new traveller expectations (as well as worries) are likely to necessitate a new format.
To begin, travel during COVID in 2021 will witness a very modest expansion of available destinations. This is expected to begin locally, within countries, as domestic travel will help evaluate areas’ ability to remain safe as the sector returns.
Following that, we will witness the opening of travel corridors between nations that have reached an official agreement on policy, safety requirements, and so on. These are now available primarily for business and diplomatic travelers, but not for leisure travelers.
On top of that, there will undoubtedly be greater metrics and protocols that travelers and travel firms must adhere to. This will imply fewer touchpoints, queues, proper checkpoints and testing facilities, as well as social separation. The passenger must also obey the requirements at each ‘point’ along the trip, from airports to hotels, according to expectations on wearing a mask, hygiene, and so on.
The traveler might expect a little more red tape than usual. Because travel during COVID periods is still limited, each journey will necessitate more promises and more hoops to jump through. This includes knowing what documents are required for travel, double-checking changing visa requirements and rules, and being aware of the various quarantine regulations that each country will have upon arrival. This indicates that the traveller should do more research before going on vacation and be as prepared as possible.
People will continue to seek COVID-safe vacation spots even as travel 2021 begins to open up with the rollout of covid-19 vaccinations. As a result, limiting case numbers is a must for each travel destination. Both the location and the traveller will almost definitely have high expectations for solid health rules and protocols. When Bali reopens for travel, Viceroy Bali will undoubtedly be an option, as the resort has been certified by Clean, Health, Security, and Environment (CHSE) and all workers have been “completely vaccinated.”
How Will Our Travel Habits Change?
To begin with, expect a shift in transportation as travel begins more locally. Domestic travel has continued in Indonesia, however people traveling during COVID have chosen for personal vehicles rather than flying in order to regulate their environment and avoid interactions with others.
In that vein, the new normal will find people preferring to travel in smaller groups. People continue to be cautious about traveling in large groups, which is expected to hurt large, packaged group excursions. People will prefer to travel with a small group of friends or family rather than a large group of strangers.
People will be eager to see wide-open locations once they are permitted to travel again after being confined in their houses for more than a year. Outdoor and adventure tourism will most likely experience an upsurge in interest by 2021.
Nature’s fresh air will entice visitors, who will seek out pristine beaches, majestic mountains, and national parks. Again, this has been observed in Indonesia, where many city inhabitants visit during COVID to take advantage of Bali’s wide spaces and natural experiences. Outdoor experiences, rather than congested cities, help visitors feel safer.
Travelers will likely opt for longer vacations to make any trip more worthwhile because journeys are likely to be more tedious, not to mention the likelihood of quarantines at both ends. Quick three-day getaways won’t be as practical or as worthwhile. Longer trips, possibly from two weeks to a month, will be seen as travelers make the most of their journey.
Longer travels have a significant advantage since travelers will grow to embrace the benefits of slow travel.’ Prior to the epidemic, travel was simple and quick, and quantity was frequently preferred over quality. Go to as many areas as possible, take shots, then move on as quickly as possible.
Longer travels will allow folks to fully immerse themselves in their chosen destination and experience more of it. In Bali, for example, quick Instagram-focused day visits were popular, but slow travel allows visitors to explore, study, and enjoy the island more deeply with more time on their hands.
Slow and conscious travel are significant because they emphasize connection to local people, culture, history, culinary, arts, and food, among other things. It is based on the premise that the objective of a journey is to educate and leave an emotional impression, both now and in the future, while being sustainable for local communities and the environment.
Adopting Slow and Conscious Travel
Along with slow travel, we are likely to see an increase in conscientious travel. Conscious travel entails being conscious of the effect and opportunities in travel, both as hosts and as guests, and taking steps to ensure the best possible outcomes for all. It is about traveling with one’s conscience and connecting with others in a given location. It occurs when empathy and exploration work in tandem. Conscious travel promotes better knowledge of people and places, particularly while traveling away from home. It occurs when visitors are conscious of their actions.
As a result of the pandemic’s introspection and personal growth, travelers are likely to be more selective about where and why they visit. During COVID times, this could mean traveling to be a part of something, give something back (offer value), or even learn something. With longer trip lengths, travelers might go beyond pure leisure experiences and immerse themselves in a cause, whether for themselves, a community, or the environment.
This also goes hand in hand with sustainable travel, which is expected to become a driving factor in the industry’s future. Travelers will be more careful about lowering their carbon impact as they become more aware of sustainable travel. The pandemic’s one bright lining is that consumers are doubling down on sustainability.
Where to Travel During COVID Times: Is Bali an Option?
With all of the above in mind, traveling during COVID is dependent on (a) where you’re coming from (b) where you’re going (c) how much time you have to travel.
Some countries’ borders will stay closed, while others will have rigorous quarantine procedures in place, both to enter and return to your home country. As a result, the WHERE is entirely dependent on what is available from the traveler’s current position.
For recreational travelers, international borders into Indonesia remain blocked (at the time of writing), with the exception of the B211b Visa, or Business Visa, which enables access into the country for particular purposes. However, the current goal is to open the borders in the fourth quarter of 2021. (likely to a limited degree).
Is Bali ready for new normal travel?
With so many false starts in Bali’s international tourism, the industry is clearly ready for border openings.
To safeguard the safety of its residents and guests, several hotels and restaurants have reopened with social distancing in place and the new normal rules in place. Hand sanitizer stations and thermal scanners are installed in public locations, and people wearing masks are permitted to enter. To avoid the spread of coronavirus, touchpoints and queue areas are reduced.
So, if you’re thinking about taking a holiday during COVID, Bali is a great place to go. Indonesians and foreigners living in the nation have been traveling during COVID and taking advantage of Bali’s COVID safe vacation experience. In order to protect Bali from international visitors, the island is also included in the priority region for COVID vaccines.
The administration is creating ‘green zones’ for guests to stay in and enjoy the island in a safe environment. These now include Ubud, Sanur, and Nusa Dua, although how these green zones will function is unknown.
A New Bali Experience: Where to Travel During COVID
When travel resumes in Bali, it will undoubtedly be a different way to see the island, since new standard protocols will be enforced in every location. The good news is that the massive numbers of travelers, particularly group packages and buses, will no longer clog the highways and famous tourist attractions. However, some hotels, restaurants, and beach clubs may remain closed.
The island has also embraced a new approach to tourist goals, focusing on quality rather than quantity – this means the end of mass tourism. What does this signify for those who do visit Bali? It entails taking a Bali holiday away from the masses.
Without the crowds, visit Bali’s most famous temples, such as Tanah Lot and Uluwatu; without the crowds, visit Bali’s greatest surf places; without the crowds, climb Mt.Batur or explore stunning waterfalls; and without the crowds, explore the beauty of Ubud town.
Bali is still alive and well, thanks to inhabitants and domestic tourists. Bali will have an excellent blend of life and excitement with a controlled amount of tourism, without the burdensome and uncomfortable large groups and swarms. Bali’s incredible blend of art and culture, museums, gourmet experiences, yoga and wellness, outdoor adventure, and luxury lifestyle remains unrivaled.
When You’re Ready: Bali Vacation Packages 2021
When it comes to accomodation, Viceroy Bali is one of the top resorts in Ubud, if not all of Bali, during COVID. This five-star resort is a private tropical haven nestled among Ubud’s lush woods. This resort has 40 magnificent pool villas with great facilities such as Apéritif Restaurant & Bar, Cascades Restaurant, and Lembah Spa, all meticulously planned to present an amazing expression of Balinese authenticity with impeccable service and attention to detail.
As you plan your trip, you’ll want to learn more about visiting Bali in the new normal. Rest assured that Viceroy Bali follows the Ministry of Tourism’s criteria and follows the COVID-19 promise to make your stay with us outstanding, memorable, and safe. To find out more, you could read our other article: Ubud Accommodations Guide.
Viceroy Bali has made it essential for travelers (including those who have finished the prescribed dose(s) of covid-19 vaccination) to produce a negative PCR test for COVID-19 prior to admission into Bali for their own safety. Now we wait for the borders to gradually open; in the meantime, you should be preparing and researching the best ways to travel during COVID, as well as locating the next suitable destination for a COVID safe holiday. Consider what you can do to make your travels more meaningful and special.
