What will travel be like after corona, really? Does everything take a break now, only to become normal again? Or will nothing ever be "as usual"? We're throwing around a few different thoughts and scenarios, but above all, we're interested to know what you think!
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We have got used to travelling freely
Travelling (almost) freely in the world has been a matter of course for many of us. Nevertheless, it should perhaps be seen as an exception in world history. After all, it is only for a certain period of time, and only in a certain part of the world, that it has been self-evident to be able to travel wherever you want.
How far (and how often) did our grandparents travel? Or their parents? And how far have less well-off villagers around the world travelled? Or people in countries where visas are difficult to obtain? No, what has been normal for us has been far from normal for all time or for everyone.
A food for thought
Right now we can't travel because the whole world is dealing with a nasty virus. Some people believe that things will soon be back to normal, that we will just pause for two months, before our normal lives resume. Others believe that this is a turning point, an opportunity to reflect and change direction. What do you think? Will things go back to normal soon, or have we changed direction forever?
Practical complications and obstacles
One thing we are thinking about is the purely practical complications, which could take time. When is it possible to reopen the borders? If a country (eventually!) gets rid of the virus, do they really want to open up to travellers who can bring the virus into the country again? Will countries choose to open their borders only to certain other countries? Will they open, but impose strict rules on fever control or quarantine?
Some examples
- If one country in Europe gets rid of the virus before the others, does that country close its borders to other countries?
- If, for example, Sweden and Germany become free of infection and we can travel freely between the countries, how are the borders controlled?
- If several countries are free of infection, but one country suddenly has a new case, will the borders be closed again?
- If infection remains in Europe during the year, and comes and goes, will the borders be opened at all?
A change of approach
Another thing we think about is how we humans are affected. Even if borders are opened up, will we feel differently? Will we have the same desire to travel across the globe, or will we be a bit more fearful, cautious, restrained?
We have previously written that we believe that people, due to corona and due to the environmental debate, will be more interested in nature, camping and neighbouring destinations. At the same time, we sometimes think that we humans may forget. Maybe we will soon be back to long-distance charter trips and quick city weekends. What do you think? We wonder:
- When (and how) do you think borders will open between countries?
- Will travel remain the same or will it change?
- How would you like to travel in the future?
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Minett says:
Interesting question. I listened to a podcast where Alexander Bard participated, he believes that more countries will introduce visas and many countries in Asia will not want to receive Europeans. I personally think that the prices of airline tickets will increase and that there will be limited freedom as a tourist in many countries. But I hope I am wrong...
28 March 2020 - 9:32
Helena says:
Interesting to hear Bard's thoughts! He often has interesting thoughts about the future.
28 March 2020 - 15:29
Marias memoarer says:
I have also been thinking about this. I don't think things will be able to return completely to normal in the next few years, but maybe we can start travelling more again after the danger subsides, the economy recovers and countries dare to let people in again. Then the question is whether we will introduce permanent changes in the way we travel, or whether within two years we will have forgotten everything that has happened and return to our old habits. I'm a bit afraid that this is another history we won't learn anything from, humans seem to have a short memory. Let's see...
29 March 2020 - 11:14
Seija Viitamäki-carlsson says:
Very difficult to guess right now. I follow the general advice here and now and wait. "After war there will be peace", but after Covid 19, we don't know yet, what it will be. I am home now and looking forward to a new time with confidence.
28 March 2020 - 9:47
Helena says:
No, it is difficult to know? We also follow general advice and wait ... but sometimes our minds are spinning ...
28 March 2020 - 15:30
Lena i Wales says:
Interesting thoughts.
As someone who works in the travel industry, I've obviously thought a lot about the future of the industry. It's okay for me because I'm actually retired now, but so many of my friends and colleagues have been hit so hard. Only time will tell if they can come back.
If you feel like you're running out of post ideas, maybe a report from a medium-sized bus company would be interesting, just a suggestion.
28 March 2020 - 11:13
Helena says:
I understand that it must be extremely difficult, and uncertain, for many in the travel industry now. Interesting idea with bus companies!
28 March 2020 - 15:32
Aila says:
We have also thought about that. Will we drive all the way to Greece again? I don't think so this year. But in the future we hope it will be possible. This year we are thinking of a home holiday instead, discovering Sweden. But this year there will probably be many who think so. Should we start flying abroad instead? Difficult questions now when everything is so uncertain.
28 March 2020 - 13:25
Helena says:
Yes, it's natural to think ... We also think that it might be Sweden this year, but later we hope to be able to drive the motorhome in Europe.
28 March 2020 - 15:33
Nils-Åke Hansson says:
Thinking a lot about what it will be like. We are not globetrotters but we have visited large parts of Europe. Kåseberga opened here in Österlen and I asked about Valborg but it seems uncertain. then Easter is approaching.
I really hope that we will have more adventures with the motorhome.
Birgitta and I have taken this seriously and avoid contact with children and friends. Buying food online and leaving children outside.
28 March 2020 - 14:09
Helena says:
Yes, there's a lot of uncertainty now... And it's good to be careful, as best you can!
28 March 2020 - 15:34
Ditte says:
The thoughts can be many.
We feel that at this stage it is not appropriate to speculate on what is happening. We are closely following the situation around the world and receiving reports from friends in different parts of the world.
Is happy for the trips and experiences we have with us and if there are no more trips abroad, we will survive it too. Now we do the best we can to be right here and right in the moment.
28 March 2020 - 14:54
Helena says:
Perhaps this is a wise approach! We probably think in part the same way, but still we can't help but talk about it, speculate and wonder...
28 March 2020 - 15:37
Anna, New York - My Bite of the Big Apple says:
I'm wondering the same thing and my thoughts are really going in all sorts of directions right now. The worst thing is to live in the uncertainty of life here at home... I'm not thinking mainly about travelling but about not even being able to see certain family members at the moment... It really takes its toll!
Unfortunately, I don't think things will ever be the same again. It is not impossible that countries will tighten their borders and not let people in until they can prove that they have had the virus (if you become immune) and/or until a vaccine is available.
I should be more hopeful but it feels difficult now. You just have to take one day at a time. I'm still grateful that I have travelled so much in my life.
Hugs to you!
28 March 2020 - 16:34
Helena says:
It really does not feel easy ... As you say, I think you have to take one day at a time. Have fun Anna!
29 March 2020 - 17:42
BP says:
I'm thinking similar to Ditte, but you're much younger and probably didn't plan for the consequences of the coronavirus.
Anyway, I think it will be a while before the borders open again. When they do, I think many people will refrain from travelling to the worst affected countries such as Italy and Spain. In addition, I don't think that travelling is the first thing people will think about when the crisis is over, but the national economic situation worldwide.
28 March 2020 - 17:31
Helena says:
Nobody was really prepared for this. But at the same time, we have always said that you should never take for granted that everything will be as it has always been. The economy, both for countries and for individuals, will certainly be one of the biggest and most important issues.
29 March 2020 - 17:46
Kors och Tvärs says:
I think it will become more restrictive between countries. However, it will probably take longer than we first hoped and thought. Can we go back to Spain at the end of September? Unfortunately, I am not sure about that.
Then "life" will not be the same after that. I am thinking of the world economy, which is in total collapse. It will take many years to get back to the levels we had before Covid-19. And of course the economy also affects our travelling...?
29 March 2020 - 9:02
Helena says:
It's really hard to be sure of anything in these times... And of course, the economy has an impact too.
29 March 2020 - 17:47
Lena - gott för själen says:
I have also had those thoughts. I think it will change to some extent. Of course, I think people will continue to travel across the world, because, as you say, people forget. But I think it might not be as much, and people will opt for swimming holidays to a greater extent. And outdoor recreation, which has been on the rise for a few years, will also increase, I think.
So a bit of both, on my part, still travelling but different.
Hug Lena
29 March 2020 - 10:17
Helena says:
We also believe in more camping and outdoor activities.
30 March 2020 - 12:07
I Monica says:
I think that many will become poor even in Sweden because the state and FK do not have Pippi's gold money ... They run out when people sit at home for a long time, the bank can not continue to forgive unpaid interest and amortisation on the large million loans people have on their homes, they have to sell at a loss and have a lifelong debt to the bank, can not buy anything new, homelessness increases, perhaps even for those who spit on beggars and a lot of tragedy will occur.I think Sweden will be one of the most difficult countries to live in, there is such naivety here, quite cold, a lot of fear and little respect for each other and contempt for the elderly.I think the hospitals will crash while the few still present in the parliament are having coffee in their cage.I don't think the virus "kills" Sweden but the fear, the fear, the egos, the rulers and the authorities.A lot of people will be sacrificed when they wake up and call the state.How tragic with all the talented serious entrepreneurs who do their best and many others who still work. Yes, where the next journey should go, we can probably think about.
29 March 2020 - 22:16
Helena says:
The economy is one of the biggest problems in this context. Unfortunately, we also believe that there are many unfortunate consequences due to the economic situation, which affects both social factors and people's health. I'm sorry to hear that you feel that Swedes are such bad people, we don't have that feeling.
30 March 2020 - 12:10
Monet says:
Switching to my alias Monet so as not to be confused with my namesake Monica. One of the opening questions was how people used to travel. Yes, it wasn't quick all-inclusive trips or charter trips. Travel was slow and cumbersome, with boat and train journeys in the first place. And primarily for the better-off, perhaps with the exception of artists. Many northern Europeans travelled to more southern countries for the sake of warmth and climate, but then stayed for several months, not in some often boring campsites as today, but in much more comfortable and beautiful environments. A good example is when mother and daughter in The Good Will are travelling to Italy for several months so that she can be separated from her unwanted suitor. Or when she is later treated in a sanatorium in Switzerland. Many people travelled for their health - Axel Munthe is a good example of Swedish medical care in southern Europe. Queen Victoria, who could not stand the British winter, has left behind many Victorian buildings in, for example, our former neighbouring town of Hyères in Provence and the same in Nice. But these were upper class and wealthy people. Educated as well, they often spoke several of the European languages and certainly experienced their stays abroad in a completely different way than we do today. Later in the 1930s, my grandparents were able to travel all over Europe, primarily to various health resorts in southern Germany and Switzerland, but cities such as Rome and Paris were also colourful and exotic. My grandmother's round hat bag is full of notes from the various luxury hotels of the time! It was a matter of course that you spoke at least German, English but especially French! My parents, now in their nineties, were completely locked up throughout the Second World War and could not travel abroad for many years during their youth. Really something for us to think about that seems to climb the walls after a few weeks of highly justified closed borders. Travelling abroad exploded after the war, but that's another story. A bit of perspective right now in corona times!
30 March 2020 - 9:05
Helena says:
Interesting to hear your examples about travelling in the past! It really has been different in different times, and different for different people. There was a period before the war when there was a lot of travelling among certain social classes, but it's still far from being comparable to how it was today. But do you feel that people are climbing the walls because they can't travel? I probably feel that people right now are thinking about the economy, their companies, their employment, the future, etc. and that people are rather unwilling to travel at the moment. Then I can personally experience that I have a little difficulty adapting to working only from home, with poor working position and no contact with colleagues. But maybe you get used to it and get better and better at dealing with it.
30 March 2020 - 12:20
Monet says:
Climbing the walls is not limited to travel stops, of course - it is clear that people are more focused on what you describe. But many people also express disappointment about cancelled trips, not knowing when they'll be able to do it again, that it's hard not being able to see different family members.
This has come as a shock to the whole world. You yourselves were actually about to leave for a destination you would have had difficulty coming home from today. In your comment fields before the spread took off, there were also many who said that they were not at all afraid, would go to Vietnam and especially Thailand as planned. Many thousands of Swedes are also stuck abroad without the Ministry of Foreign Affairs being able or willing to do anything - I think this could be an eye-opener in the future - a slightly greater security mindset. Plus a more pronounced thinking that you actually have to manage on your own.
By climbing the walls, I'm referring to this, for me, absurd reasoning that you only have to go to Åre or to the summer cottage because it's Easter. Because you've always done it and the idea of not going makes you restless and requires other planning that we're not used to. Today, most people seem to stop, but Sweden is the only country in the world where you can still get away if you want to. In my daughter's France, she is allowed to travel 1 kilometre from home with a certificate in hand. She works from home with restless children around her - it's not a matter of getting used to it, there is no alternative!
Just a short complement to travelling in the past. It was after the Second World War and at the beginning of the booming 50s that it really took off. You could fly to Mallorca and BILA as they called it through the newly opened Europe - the modern way of travelling started there....
30 March 2020 - 13:01
Helena says:
I am fully aware that the rest of Europe has shut down in a completely different way, and I know many people who work from home with children to look after. I have spoken to several who say they hardly get anything done at all because they have to look after the children. Incidentally, I agree that it is advisable not to travel right now, especially not to places where you socialise with others or risk burdening the healthcare system regionally.
30 March 2020 - 14:07