Have you Wondered what Travel in the Post-Covid Era will be like ?
No one can deny the severe implications COVID-19 has brought to the four corners of the earth. Our daily lives have dramatically changed over the past years in nearly all aspects.
Our very basic rights of Freedom have been compromised in ways we never thought in the near past. Yet, we accept these rapid changes with not much resistance.
The fear for our health and our fragile lives has cast a thick veil of fog in our ecosystem. A veil that is bound to float over our heads for more months to come.
Travel during the COVID-19 era has been hit the hardest in the past year. Personally, the lack of travelling has been the hardest to deal with.
The complications involved in travelling even to the nearest city have been disheartening.
There is still hope, however, for a brighter future. Not just for the Travel Industry. According to Elizabeth Becker’s – ‘Overbooked: The Exploding Business of Travel and Tourism‘ – has ‘annihilated‘ the $8 trillion global Travel Industry within a few weeks, but for many other industries too.
Rewind, Pause, Unlearn - Now Fast-Forward to a new Travel Era
Let’s all try to see this lock-down era with a more positive frame of mind!
I know it may seem impossible, but trust me – there is a positive side, (at least for the Travel Industry).
This industry will remain one of the top driving forces that shape the global economies with trillion €uros of earning potential.
Why you may be wondering?
Τhe Travel and Hospitality Industries got hit the worst by this pandemic!
One should imagine these industries as ‘Disguise Masters’ – ‘Contortionist Champions’ and ‘Polymorphic’! Changing the shape and notion of Travel as we know it. Transforming themselves with a more concrete foundation and evolving with more respect towards the environment. Our very need and passion for Globe-trotting can only evolve into a much better version of these industries.
Travel experts predict clear blue skies
No matter how dark the skies may look right now, experts do predict a brighter travel future.
If anything, the repeated lock-downs we’ve all faced have given us time to reflect.
During these times, it became easier to see where things were going wrong and in a direction that would inevitably lead to some dire consequences.
One such area was the Tourism and Hospitality industry.
With,
- Overcrowded Resorts
- Islands with mass tourism, beginning to sink under the unbearable weight of mass footprint in their local ecosystems
- Monstrous Cruise Ships with thousands of holidaymakers not caring about the deeply negative impact their never-ending partying left, despite their contribution to the local economies
Greece with some of its most popular islands (especially in the South), has been steadily welcoming millions of tourism over the past 20 years.
2018 was a record high of 33 million visitors with Athens and famous islands like Santorini and Mykonos holding a major share of these staggering numbers.
Trends point towards a more Sustainable future for travel in the post-COVID Era
I believe that we don’t have much choice in the matter.
When it comes to a more responsible way to travel all roads lead to sustainable resources.
For travellers, this can mean an increase in global travellers demanding more responsible travel policies.
“Don’t be surprised if countries mandate ‘fly-free days’ and other measures to control climate change,” says Elizabeth Becker.
Greek islands are increasingly aware and are joining the effort to prevent the mass consumerism type of tourism.
Movements such as ‘Save Oia‘ in Santorini are gaining huge ground and should epitomise how destinations are seen from visitors around the world.
More islands are adopting the ‘Plastic-free’ movement in a big effort to eliminate plastic use. Let’s not underestimate how difficult it can be to radically change people’s habits when it comes to plastic.
Common Seas a wonderful movement, a massive project and a hands-on approach to eliminate plastic from the world’s seas has already stepped on the Greek South Seas.
Skopelos has initiated an effort towards the plastic-free goal
So far, glass and paper have been successfully recycled for the past 7 years.
The local municipality is making steady progress to eliminate plastic use and aluminium. But it’s proven to be a harder race to win and a logistic nightmare.
Let’s be optimistic that Common Seas will eventually help the Aegean Sea and other areas to eliminate the Plastic nightmare.
Energy-friendly and using appropriate resources. Harnessing the power of the sun for our guest's needs.
Greece has over 300 days of sunshine.
Sun power and free energy that is yet to be used to their full potential.
Many more households and businesses have been adopting the Solar Panel path for hot water needs.
Different governments have been strategically using European grants to encourage people to turn to more energy-efficient ways of managing their household/business needs.
Skopelos Country Villas have been using Solar Panels from the 1st day of operation to provide our visitors with plenty of hot water.
Alternative Tourism - the way Travel should be
Travel in the post-Covid era should not treat this form of tourism as something new.
The notion of taking advantage of alternative forms of tourism for the sake of the environment and local communities has been around for decades.
As with most travel-related products, however, it has either been misunderstood or not used for its true power.
We will all be judged for the actions, (or lack of), we took towards saving the environment.
Whether we are travellers or business entities we should take one step at a time.
Every small action we take towards alleviating the massive impact Tourism can have on our planet, the better off future generations will be.
As with every huge undertaking, when we target one piece at a time, it becomes much easier to complete.
For an island like Skopelos, (known as ‘The greenest island in the Mediterranean’), it would be unfathomable not to promote more diverse and responsible types of Alternative Tourism.
Well-known types of Alternative Tourism in Skopelos
The island has a big network of paths crisscrossing its entire surface.
Walkers and hikers have been enjoying these paths for many years.
Sadly, the majority of visitors are flocking to the island’s beautiful beaches instead.
We need to achieve a better balance between tourism as we so far perceived it and as it should be transformed, going forward.
Skopelos Municipality has recently announced that it has plans to expand and improve its network of hiking paths.
In addition, it will also further develop and survey new Biking routes. Overall, these routes will expand beyond the 100 km mark in total. They will connect lesser-known areas and hamlets with monasteries and protected ‘NATURA 2000’ areas.
These initiatives will further encourage younger generations of visitors to adopt a more active style of tourism.
These types of activities, help promote a healthier lifestyle, away from beach bars and drinking endlessly under the baking sun.
Many visitors that have already been to Skopelos Country Villas already know our strategic location. We are at the heart of Skopelos Countryside. Encouraging walks and mountain bikes. We will also offer ‘packaged rates’ that include the rent of Mountain bikes if you need to give yourself an extra push.
Our aim at Skopelos Country Villas is to explore the beauty of the area and beyond.
To create more lasting holiday experiences and memories.
The above are only a few examples of Alternative Tourism types. Others include visits to the churches and monasteries of the area and the rest of the island.
More examples are worthy of their own future post on how Alternative Tourism can transform the local communities and help reshape future travel.
More Isolated places - fewer crowds - Safety first
Not certain if this will be a Travel Trend for the imminent future or more like a necessary precaution.
Big All-Inclusive type resorts and even traditional hotels will be hit the hardest than any other type of accommodation.
People already feel the need to be in a more secure environment. They need to have the necessary space.
It acts as a safety zone for themselves and their families.
Imagine walking out of your villa, having plenty of private space to spread and enjoy the sunshine.
Breath the pure oxygen nature so abundantly offers.
Relax by the pool and submerge your subconscious in the panoramic views and sounds of nature.
Visit Skopelos town, and enjoy the waterfront areas. Walk in the maze of streets and greet the locals.
No matter how you decide to spend your day, you will always come back to the safe haven of your villa in the country.
No, we can't go back to our old, irresponsible selves. We need to seize the only good opportunity COVID-19 offered us to Pause and Reflect and drastically change our future.
Closing thoughts of an optimistic future of travel
We should not think of our carefree travel days as a ‘thing of the past.
This would mean surrendering to fear and pessimism. We can transform it into more powerful, meaningful experiences.
All it will take is a small step from each one of us to change towards a more responsible future.
A future that doesn’t look that different from a distant past, where early explorers did exactly that.
They took their time to explore and understand the place they visited. Speak to the locals and understand their culture. Respected their local customs and their place.
Demand from airlines for new measures to control climate change. Measures that can have tangible, positive outcomes against CO2 emissions.
Support organisations like Common Seas and Mission Blue, in their cause, to fight and keep our oceans and seas free of plastic and pollution.
No, we can’t go back to our old, irresponsible selves. We need to seize the only good opportunity COVID-19 offered us to Pause and Reflect and drastically change our future.
