Tips For Planning Your First Post-Pandemic Holiday Trip

After what felt like an eternity during the COVID-19 pandemic, the world slowly opened up to travel. Everyone addicted to travel is excited to start packing for the first post-pandemic holiday trip finally.

However, travel as we know it has changed drastically in the last two years, and it’s once again possible to return to your favourite destinations of the past, such as Bali, Thailand or Vietnam.

However, it’s time to consider different Europe or the USA destinations. Whether your travel bucket list takes you shortly, there are essential things to keep in mind when travelling on your first post-pandemic holiday.

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Tips For Planning Your First Post-Pandemic Holiday Trip

Let’s travel again with a few essential tips for planning a holiday after covid.

Choosing A Destination and Accommodations

Plenty of countries are already open to foreign travellers (here’s a list of countries and their current requirements to help you start your planning), but that’s not without specific restrictions and paperwork. These may include some or all of the following: proof of vaccination, medical insurance, proof of accommodation, quarantine hotel if applicable, and others.

While it’s generally safer to travel now compared to previous months, that doesn’t mean that there is no chance that you can still contract the virus while on your holiday abroad. It will be wise to research what the government of your chosen country requires if you do test positive during your trip.

In addition, cancellation policies have also changed due to the virus. It’s recommended to study the cancellation policies of hotels and airlines before booking.

Travel Medical Insurance

Travel medical insurance is the most critical aspect of your trip.

While many travellers have chosen to forego travel insurance in the past, this is not something you want to take for granted in the post-pandemic travel era because it can save you a great deal of money (and hassle). Most countries will likely not accept foreign tourists without the necessary travel insurance. Each destination will have its requirements as to the minimum amount of coverage you need to enter the country.

There are now many recognised travel insurers who provide adequate insurance for COVID-19. There are many types of coverage that you can choose, but it’s essential to choose wisely. Some will provide coverage for cancellation costs incurred on repatriation and medical expenses, while others will only cover medical costs if you get COVID-19 while travelling abroad. Each provider will have its restrictions, so always check the fine print.

When shopping around for travel insurance, it’s best to finalise your purchase when booking your flight and accommodations. Also, note that it’s improbable that travel insurance providers will provide coverage for cancellation costs if travel restrictions such as lockdowns occur either at your destination or home country around the time of travel, preventing you from going on your trip.

Other things to think about when shopping for travel insurance:

How much of the hospitalisation fee will be covered if you have to be confined at your destination?
Does the policy include coverage for the entire duration of your trip? If a cancelled flight or sickness leads to an unexpected extension of your trip, will the range be extended?
If you will be going on a cruise, will the insurer cover medical costs for multi-night cruises?
Will your cancellation costs be covered if a family member or business partner back home tests positive, requiring you to come back sooner than planned?
Are you going to be covered for costs incurred by events such as self-isolation, mandatory quarantine, border closures, or government travel bans at your destination?

It would also be wise to look into Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) supplemental coverage, which is optional. CFAR is a policy upgrade that allows travellers to cancel anytime, usually for COVID-related fears and worries that are not included in the policy. It will usually provide around 75% reimbursement of trip costs that are not refundable. The procedure can be used if you have booked a trip but are unsure about the testing requirements at the destination, or suddenly your companions no longer want to go on the trip.

Travel Agent

More people turn to travel agents again to seek experienced help with post-pandemic planning.

In the past, it was easy to book everything online without asking for the advice of a travel agent. But now, especially with international travel, a travel agent is a highly beneficial service. There are many things to know about: border closures and openings, changing travel requirements, travel insurance, political upheavals and information on natural disasters and weather. Having a trustworthy and reliable travel agent can help you navigate the overwhelming changes and stay informed even during your trip.

Travel agents are a worthy investment; they usually charge an upfront fee for their services, so ask for their rate card when scouring around for one. Some agents may assign an initial consultation fee, while additional costs will be charged for booking airlines or other services.

Consider Slow Travel

With the sheer amount of preparation and the costs of travelling into international borders, many travellers find it pragmatic to travel slow.

Slow travel means staying in a destination for weeks, whereas it was easy to cross borders and travel from one city to another in the past without thinking twice about the consequences. Going down the slow travel path will save you money from constant testing and other related travel costs. However, there is also another great benefit: you’ll be able to immerse yourself in a new city or culture more efficiently.

Conclusion to Post-Pandemic Travel

Given these recommendations, it’s good to know that you can still enjoy travel the way you did before. There are just a few adjustments to make, and pre-trip planning is more critical than ever, but as long as you’ve done your homework (and have some patience), the world is ready for you.