The environmental threat has had some impact on people's travel for some time, and now the spread of the coronavirus has had a more sudden and extreme effect. As of yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against non-essential travel to all countries and most people are travelling as little as possible, but how will these factors affect our travel in the long run?
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Environmental threats and viruses - impact on travel
The environmental threat is serious and has prompted many to think about how we can travel and holiday more sustainably. The travel industry was already changing when the coronavirus hit like a sudden bomb, planting a more immediate fear of travelling.
Of course, the spread of the virus will eventually slow down and pass, but perhaps it will still affect the way we look at travelling in the future? We've been thinking about how we believe environmental threats and viruses together could affect travel in the future.
Four travel trends
Here are four travel trends, some of which already exist and which we believe can be reinforced now. How do you think people will want to travel and holiday in the future?
1. Discovering Sweden
As we have become aware of the negative environmental impact of travelling, more and more people have become interested in holidaying in Sweden. Many travel magazines and travel bloggers have helped to highlight great Swedish destinations, thus inspiring people to discover our own country.
Now, during the coronavirus outbreak, hardly anyone wants to travel abroad at all. Sure, you can get infected in Sweden, but at least here you have your home and family close at hand. Perhaps some of that sense of insecurity will linger even after the outbreak, and even more people will be interested in holidaying in Sweden.
2. Travel in neighbouring countries
There has been a long-standing trend towards discovering travel destinations that are not so far away. By choosing closer destinations, people can travel in more environmentally friendly ways. In a time of uncertainty, not being so far away can also make you feel safer. When travel restrictions are relaxed, many people will holiday in countries such as Norway, Germany, Belgium, Poland, the Czech Republic or Estonia. And there are so many amazing things to discover here!
3. Camping or travelling by motorhome
Camping with bikes and tents is of course optimal for the environment, but motorhomes have also proved to be a relatively good holiday option from an environmental point of view, according to a stand-alone study on behalf of the Norwegian Caravan Industry Association. The option can be particularly good if you drive a modern motorhome and choose to stand still from time to time.
Motorhomes and cars can also feel like a safer option now that we have started to worry about the risk of infection. In times of coronavirus, we have become painfully aware of the risks of being close to other people on trains, buses and aeroplanes. If this feeling persists, even more people will feel comfortable travelling in their own vehicle, at a safe distance from other people.
4. Nature instead of cities
People have long sought to experience nature, and many want to go hiking or cycling on holiday, for example. This may be because we want to relax from the stress of everyday life, but it may also be because we suddenly realise the value of, and care for, our environment.
Now that we're worried about the coronavirus, there's another reason to get out into nature. Instead of being crowded in a big city and risking infection, we can move around in the wilderness with relative ease. Perhaps this is a feeling we take with us, even after the outbreak has subsided.
How do you think people will want to travel after environmental threats and viruses?
How do you think people's travel behaviour is affected by environmental threats and viruses? What trends do you predict? And above all, how would you like to travel yourself?
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Eva says:
Today, of course, it is not possible to predict how we will act tomorrow, but when I think historically, as soon as the danger is over, we will return to our old life. People learn a lot, but I think it will be slow if it involves personal sacrifice.
15 March 2020 - 9:18
Helena says:
Well, who knows ...? You may be right, I know what you mean! At the same time, it may take time for everything to recover? Thinking also that some changes were already underway, that we already started looking for destinations closer to home, etc.
15 March 2020 - 14:06
I Monica says:
You can read Annika Linde's contribution in the media today. She understands that the Public Health Agency's strategy is that everyone should be infected ... and they: AT did not directly contradict. This makes Sweden different from the rest of the world, think China, their idea was to limit, not infect 1.4 billion of their people. Sweden is fantastic and intends to sacrifice the health care staff, known knowledge about this type of virus is that the more infection and virus you are exposed to the more seriously ill you become and our employees who fight in the health care lack more and more protective equipment. Their children should go to school and preschool and be infected because otherwise other Swedes cannot get what they think is obvious from the health care system, their parents. The Swedes are strange and egotistical and those who survive probably run their usual race later. But I think this country will go down in history, but unfortunately there is currently no country to escape to. I think not only disease affects but economy and impoverishment, a little to start over from the beginning. Those who have some of their own land and houses do best, it has always been so.
15 March 2020 - 9:58
Helena says:
The economy will definitely take a hit. I think many smaller businesses may find it difficult to survive this.
15 March 2020 - 14:07
Goatfish says:
I don't think travelling is the be-all and end-all. We have been spoilt for a long time by being able to run off to different countries, near and far, several times a year. It's not necessary, it becomes a kind of escape.
Better to take care of your health and your relationships and look after each other. Now people just stare at their mobiles and chat. I think we need a warning sign.
I also think about what will happen to the economy, food, etc. after the worst danger is over. It could be a big shock. However, we are here and NOW and speculating and worrying about the future that we cannot influence creates ill health.
That's what I think.
15 March 2020 - 10:21
Helena says:
Of course we should take care of our health and our relationships, that's the most important thing! But I still think that people will want to spend their holidays (with the family) in some way. And that's what we were thinking about, whether people might want to spend their holidays closer to home, and more in nature.
15 March 2020 - 14:10
Reiselinda says:
I. feel really trendy when I read the post because it is already so we already so we are travelling. 🙂
When it comes to Corona, there unfortunately seems to be many people who do not understand why it becomes such a "big thing" and I unfortunately think the same people will contact their regular travel agency the same day it is free to travel again. Then there will certainly be some who adjust their habits somewhat at least for some time to come!
15 March 2020 - 14:57
Helena says:
Haha, yes, it's good that you can feel trendy? 🙂 Hmm, yes, maybe ... If their regular travel agency survives the crisis? But the big ones survive well, it is small companies that risk bankruptcy perhaps ...
15 March 2020 - 19:03
Elisabeth says:
The campervan and the home ground will be there this summer if we don't have to sit in the home quarantine. We are trying that now in Gran Canaria.
15 March 2020 - 15:53
Helena says:
How are you doing? What does the quarantine mean? Hope you get to experience some sunshine anyway?
15 March 2020 - 19:04
BP says:
Indeed, the only 'positive' thing about this pandemic is that pollution in China and Italy has been drastically reduced. A not entirely unexpected consequence. I mean, a pandemic is needed to "clear" the air. In a double sense.
15 March 2020 - 18:44
Helena says:
All evil brings good, or so the saying goes?
15 March 2020 - 19:05
Susjos says:
I love travelling, especially by plane! Crazy, right?
But I really like this post and all the top tips that I have to look into!
How little I've actually seen of Sweden, I like driving too.
The picture from the Czech Republic was magically beautiful, so much there is to see quite close to us!
I think we will continue to travel a lot once the virus has calmed down. But it does give you pause for thought now that everything is coming to a halt!
My husband who works at SAS is in danger now, will he be let go?
Hugs!
15 March 2020 - 23:15
Helena says:
I think people will fly too, when the Ministry of Foreign Affairs removes the advisory. But maybe there will still be some change in people's behaviour?
17 March 2020 - 6:00
Lena - good for the soul says:
I think there will be a lot of pressure on cottage rentals and the like this summer. Many people have a need to travel, discover new places and relax. There is always, more or less, a desire to get away.
Hug Lena
16 March 2020 - 6:08