Post-Coronavirus Travel Trends

Despite international travel being ground to a halt and the tourism industry currently at a standstill, the world will start moving again. But what will the new-age of travel look like?

No-one knows when, but travel will get back on track once the all-clear has been given and the world starts to emerge from the coronavirus crisis.

As the world sits and waits, destinations across the globe are devising aggressive post-COVID-19 recovery plans to revive economies. Tourism stimulation packages will play a huge role in these plans, especially in countries heavily reliant on the industry.

How will people travel after coronavirus?

The first wave of travel will undoubtedly come from adventurous travellers itching to reboot their globe-trotting plans. Business travel will also drive the tourism revival.

However, for the majority, travel will understandably initially be tainted with fear. This will see people test the water with domestic travel, with staycations and getaways close to home popular options.

Battered global economies will also lead to shrinking vacation time, with the traditional two-week holiday replaced by shorter breaks and long weekends away.

As confidence is regained, regional travel will be the next segment to take off as people venture a little further afield. Long-haul travel will follow suit, with travel experts predicting remote destinations, rural escapes and deserted tropical island getaways proving popular.

How to travel safely after coronavirus

The way we travel after the coronavirus will change. Safety will be at the top of travellers’ minds and precautions picked up during the coronavirus will continue to be carried out.

When travelling, regular hand washing is a must, as is regular hand sanitising. Maintaining social distance and large crowds in airports and other transport hubs are other practices expected to be maintained.

Experts also predict a rise in alternative ways to travel. For example, chartering private planes and helicopters, especially for shorter distances and transfers. This avoids sharing busy aeroplanes, buses and boats, as well as skipping crowded transit time at airports.

Choosing solid travel insurance is another important element in post-coronavirus travel. Read all the fine print to see what is and is not covered, and make sure it includes emergency medical coverage, as well as emergency medical transportation coverage.

“Cancel for any reason” policies exist, but cost about 40 percent more than average insurances.

Post-coronavirus travel trends and chartered flights

Travel experts predict remote and off-the-beaten track destinations will be popular as travellers seek to avoid crowds. This makes the smattering of idyllic tropical islands that dot Asia ideal holiday spots.

Also blessed with a stunning collection of private islands and exclusive boutique resorts, sprawling national parks, rugged mountains and stacks of secluded spots, the region is home to seemingly endless options to escape the crowds and relax in a tranquil paradise.

And there is no shortage of options for those wanting private transport, with a range of helicopters and planes to charter available across the region.

Chartered flights slated to receive a boost in post-coronavirus travel

Global travel has ground to a halt by COVID-19 and the big question on everyone’s lips is, when will it be safe to start travelling again and how will we start travelling?

As coronavirus continues to keep the world behind closed doors, the one question everyone is asking is when will this all end? Ask experts when we will be able to travel again and the answers span the spectrum.

The more optimistic predict summer will see people start to venture overseas, others suggest autumn. While the more pessimistic say it will be 2021 before travel fully resumes and consumers get their confidence back.

While no-one really knows, here is what some industry experts predict the future may hold and how the wealthy will turn to private travel in the future.

Can we travel in the summer?

In an interview with CBS This Morning , Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said a normal summer of travel “can be on the cards”. He added he says that with “some caution” and it depends on the ability to continue to flatten the curve.

A Harris Poll revealed 21 percent of people would stay in a hotel within a month. Within three months, that rose to 41 percent, with 60 percent saying they would book a hotel within six months.

Half of those quizzed said they would fly after four to six months.

According to experts at OAG, which analyses airline data, domestic travel will rebound first, starting within two to three months of being given the all-clear.

The rise of chartered flights

One thing that is for sure, when the world has been given the all-clear, travel will bounce back. Experts predict domestic and short-haul travel will be the first segments to rebound as travellers dip their toes back in the water and regain confidence.

This has led many industry experts to believe the chartered plane and helicopter industry will see a huge post-coronavirus boom.

In an interview with CNN Travel , Alain Leboursier, director of sales at Swiss private jet broker Luna Jets, reported an "impressive increase" in bookings and enquiries in February and March, due to COVID-19 concerns.

He added in February, about 15 percent of requests were related to coronavirus. In March that doubled to 30 percent.

In March, Hong Kong international airport reported its busiest day for private jets as wealthy Chinese and local residents made a dash return before strict quarantine measures were imposed on all arrivals.

Tourism take-off with chartered helicopters and planes

Given the inevitable concerns about safe travel once the world has been given the all-clear, chartering a private plane or helicopter for travel will be a top option for those who can afford it.

A study by Austria-based GlobeAir revealed the risk of exposure to coronavirus is 30 times lower on private flights compared to airlines. This makes it a much more appealing mode of transport.

With the option to fly out of private terminals, avoid long check-in, security and immigration queues at the airport, and crowded planes, interest in chartered flights post-coronavirus is slated to rise.