We all realized the importance of the COVID-19 pandemic when we were asked by the government to in Winter 2020.
When , the government and media instilled and many chose not to.
Although , when it comes to restrictions, things are looking better. Take the EU for example: Restrictions have , and as a result, for the first three months of the year.
And while some are still preferring , many are eager to fly, but are confronted with : Flights are delayed or cancelled, people are waiting in line for hours at airports and missing their flights, luggage is being lost and emotions are high.
So, is it worth travelling right now?
Revenge travel and a labour crisis
On one hand, the good news is many people have overcome amid the pandemic. They long for a time when they could visit other places, or see friends and family they’ve missed these past 30 months.
— a term coined to define people’s need to travel after being deprived of it — and are fuelling people’s return to travel. And Europe is a top destination.
Compared to 2021, Europe international travellers during the first three months of the year, while the U.S. welcomed more than twice as many.
On the other hand, the : Employers are struggling to hire qualified people after many left due to pandemic unemployment. The result? Travel chaos.
From lost luggage to missed connections and cancelled flights, airports are struggling. In particular, Toronto Pearson airport has received the past several weeks and been ranked “” for the number of delayed flights (over 50 per cent of all flights) from the end of May until July 19.
Is it going to be fixed anytime soon? Probably not. But airports like . In the meantime, it’s a safe bet for travellers to get accustomed to paying more for lower quality services.
Plenty of health benefits
But it is still worth travelling. We know how important travel is: We travel to reconnect with friends and family, to escape our normal lifestyles, to discover other landscapes and cultures. And taking vacations is actually , even when !
Travelling , like recovering from mental and physical fatigue, improving household relationships and making people happier. have shown that satisfaction with leisure travel is positively connected to quality of life. And have even shown that international travel restrictions led to unintended negative health and social consequences.
While travel for vacation is recommended, beware: According to air travel specialists, are in the cards and . The labour issues that are the main reason for the disruptions are unlikely to disappear anytime soon and will continue to affect all tourism sectors, from transportation to hospitality and attractions.
While travellers should not feel discouraged as the benefits outweigh the costs, it may be time to consider alternative, less environmentally damaging forms of travel: closer to home, without flying and .
The key to a successful trip is to properly plan for it, consider any alternatives that may be needed and be diligent about checking and double checking travel regulations and restrictions — even while on your trip, as they may change.
Make sure you have digital copies of all relevant documents (like your passport, prescriptions and vaccination records) and pack at least a couple of days of clothes in your carry-on (or don’t check a bag at all). Also remember to be respectful of the people and countries you visit (wearing a mask, for example, may be encouraged or required in some countries or public places).
Finally, bring some patience, flexibility and a willingness for adventure.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
