Introduced by Jackie De Burca

I am a 52 year-old travel writer and author, living away from my home city of Dublin, with compromised lungs due to childhood pneumonia. 

I hope with all my heart that I can treat this subject with the respect and due diligence it truly deserves. I have been self-isolating well before we had the official lockdown here in Spain. Just like all of you, I have gone through my own deep and sometimes frightening reaction to what is happening around the world due to COVID-19. There have been days when I couldn’t concentrate on anything meaningful.

Then I experienced a level of acceptance and decided to reach out to lots of amazing travel experts, who agreed to contribute even though their own lives have been turned upside down – a phrase that under the current circumstances seems like an understatement.

So at a time when I have no idea when I will be able to visit my 81-year old Dad and lovely Step Mama (family in-joke) in Dublin, I know my situation right now is good. I am doing well, being looked after by my wonderful partner, Joao Paulo, and through all of this, I want to see the distant light shining at the end of what I feel may be a long tunnel. This is why I have been in touch with these great people who also wish to look to the future – post-coronavirus and try to envisage how we will travel again when it is considered safe to do so.

I have realised that I took Ireland for granted. Excuse the cliché, but there is no place like home.

Maria and Ciaran Cotter, Maptrekking  – Current location: stranded in Albania – originally from Ireland

What I am looking forward to is seeing Ireland with a new sense of appreciation. Viewing the same things as always but taking the time to understand. Ireland is not a sun holiday destination. When visiting there, rain should always be expected. It adds to the experience and beauty it offers. I had forgotten how close all the incredible sights are and it took being away from home to truly find it.

Aloha spirit …why I also love local here in Hawaii

Noel Morata, This Hawaii Life – Current location: Hawaii

Covid 19 has really taken a toll on travelling around the world and impacting both economically and health perspectives. The travel industry is definitely going to take a long time to get back into sync especially as many people will be afraid to go far distances. But this would be a great time to eventually explore locally and support those local tourist attractions, restaurants and hotels in your area that desperately need help to keep their businesses afloat and employees paid.

In Italy, the celebrities and politicians are promoting domestic tourism post COVID-19

Stefania Gatta, Italian Tourist Board – Current location: London, UK (from Italy) – Please note that this is a personal opinion not an official comment

My personal opinion, also in the light of the latest UK government directive not to book any travel indefinitely and the struggles of the airlines, is that probably the summer is lost, maybe we can hope for the winter season, all being well we can plan to relaunch with the winter sports season. I think that if the situation improves in Italy , there will be mainly domestic tourism, a lot of celebrities and politicians are already inviting Italians to holiday in Italy this summer.

We will be supporting our local tourism in New Zealand

Maureen Spencer, So Many Places! So Little Time! – Current location: New Zealand

Here in New Zealand, Tourism has been our number one export earner for many years. Our economy is very dependent on tourism. We are a geographically isolated country and the large majority of our tourists arrive by air. We have already been notified that as a result of the Covid 19 lockdown, our own very famous and well-respected airline, Air New Zealand, is “planning to be a domestic airline with limited international services” after our borders open once again.

Supporting mostly local regions after the worst is over in the Czech Republic

Veronika Primm, Travel Geekery – Current location: Czech Republic

My home country, the Czech Republic, introduced strict measures to contain the virus early on and was put on a lockdown straight from the beginning. After a month, even though the pandemic is still around, some of the bans are slowly being lifted. It’s now commonly understood that travel within the borders will become possible soon again. Since most local tourist destinations have suffered badly, they’ll need Czechs’ attention to all things local. Domestic tourism is expected to shoot through the roof.

Encouraging local soul says Swede, Alex, who lives in Málaga

Alex Waltner, Swedish Nomad – Current location: Malaga, Spain

After Covid-19, I believe it will be more important than ever to support local economies and those who own small to medium local businesses while travelling. While larger all-inclusive resorts employ many people, most of their profits are being funnelled to the owners rather than back into the local community, whereas if you stay at a family-owned guesthouse or eat in local restaurants, your money supports the locals directly and offer them a chance to feed their families.

These local businesses are often what gives the soul to places we travel too. It’s their passion and lifeworks that sets it apart from other destinations.

I have a dream – Road Trip! Life after COVID-19

Tim Sams, Tim Sams Travel USA – Current location: Melbroune, Florida, USA

My favourite area of the #TimSamsTravelUSA is a Dream Road Trip from Saint Augustine, Fl to Savannah, GA, and ending up in Charleston S.C. These areas are very historic to the USA. They have weathered pirates, hurricanes, earthquakes, major flooding, and multiple wars. The cities are still going through thick and thin and will endure the Coved-19 as well.

In 2020 it’s a completely different type of war and battle. The battles are being fought by first responders, nurses, and doctors with our Free Market Health Care System.

Baja road trip for the ultimate feeling of freedom

Jenn and Ed Coleman, Coleman Concierge– Current location: Huntsville, Alabama, USA

With all the chaos in the world following the COVID-19 pandemic, I am grateful that the worst we have suffered is a few cancelled trips (and carnage in our 401k). It feels like the world is closer and farther away at the same time. I long for carefree days of travel, someplace wild and free where I can howl at the moon and see an ocean of stars overhead at night. There’s nothing that epitomises freedom to me more than taking a Baja road trip.

Travel may become more desirable and more expensive initially

Elisabeth Wieselthaler-Toelly, Vice President, Global PR & Media Relations, San Francisco Travel – Current location: Stranded in Vienna, Austria

It may take a while until people feel 100 per cent comfortable taking an airplane or staying at a hotel. Nevertheless, I believe that, once the world has resolved the COVID-19 issue (which I’m sure we will, no matter what), travel will be as desirable as ever. Maybe even more desirable, since we will appreciate the freedom to travel more, having been confined to our homes for a while.

Travel might be more expensive for a while, since a lot of budget carriers will probably not survive this. For example, going from Vienna to Barcelona for 25 EUR round trip will probably not be an option any more. While this will mean fewer options for a lot of people, it will also mean more quality of life and fewer issues with overtourism for the locals.

I am currently stuck in Vienna, Austria and can’t wait to see the Golden Gate Bridge again from above when approaching SFO airport on my flight back. San Francisco will definitely be the first place that I will visit again!

Sustainable, mindful and meaningful

Denise Brown, Co-Founder, Sababu Safaris, Current location: New York

More than ever do I believe in the power of travel and the good it brings into this unpredictable world. Once the crisis passes, a new kind of traveller will emerge. Post Covid-19 travellers will be craving meaningful human connections and investing more time and energy in purposeful activities wherever they go. I have experienced firsthand the transformative power of travel and its ability to create lasting change in the world, especially when done in a more intentional and more meaningful way.

Sustainable and more people focused

Joanna Styles, Writer, Guide to Malaga, Current location: Málaga

In just a few short weeks, it feels as if the world of travel has had the (flying) carpet pulled out from under its feet. We’ve gone from a calendar of events, trips and flights to a world of blank pages. And what do you put on those pages at the moment?

The answer is nothing – planning forms the essence of travel and at the moment, we can make zero plans. What lies ahead for the travel industry?

Mindful, slower travel that helps us feel connected

Jane Clements Life Coach, Current location: Catalonia

Once the COVID-19 crisis is over I believe that people will choose to travel in a more mindful way. By mindful travel I mean that many will want their travel to have more meaning and for every part of the experience to count.

Social isolation, quarantine and lockdowns are encouraging more of us to look inwards and to consider what’s important. I think stronger connections with loved ones and deeper meaningful experiences will become ever more important in the future and this will be reflected in the choice of travel destinations. I forsee travellers choosing yoga, wellness or mindfulness retreats, connecting with nature or getting back to basics whilst supporting local communities and smaller ventures.

Travel will be transformed and become transformative

Simona Polli, Responsible and transformational travel specialist and blogger, Travel-OFF, Current location: Tuscany, Italy

I have always been a keen traveller eager to discover far-away destinations. This year I intended to go back to Australia, where I lived for two years and never returned to for 10 years. It’s hard at the moment to think when and how we will be able to travel again but what we can be sure of is that the way we travel will be transformed.

I am confident this challenging moment we are living through will help us to become more conscious of our impact and grateful for the opportunity to travel again. Hopefully, we will travel more responsibly and sustainably, being aware that travel can be a transformative experience.

Meaningful experiences with a mind-body connection

Robin Daniels, Co-founder of Everything Yoga Retreat, Current location: Belgium

Sustainable travel was already a type of tourism that was growing before the worldwide pandemic. But after COVID-19, I feel that many people will change their behaviour and experience more meaningful vacations.

We’ll probably have to avoid crowded places for a while. So, I believe travellers will see this a an opportunity to travel to less crowded places. Maybe they’ll want to live an experience that can have a real impact on their life, such as going on a yoga holiday for example.

People will wish to make positive life choices 

Rachel Webb, Owner/Editor of Only Spain, Current location: Andalucia, Spain

Day one of quarantine was definitely the hardest. Feeling out of control and out of work in a surreal situation that at home was the same but on the media an ever growing nightmare.

Now into week three I’m settling into a routine, is this what being retired is like? I’ve been out twice, cancelled a weekend away and our holiday home bookings. What is next?

I think people will be slow to book a trip, not knowing when, then not really believing that restrictions have been lifted. Once reality has set in they will initially stay closer to home in their own country or a short haul destination.

Vaccinations certificates will be brought back

Talek Nantes, Creator of Travels with Talek Current location: New York

The coronavirus pandemics will change the face of travel for quite some time to come. Some years ago, travellers were required to have a vaccination certificate with a record of all the inoculations and vaccinations a traveller had undergone. As many diseases were eradicated, the certificate was no longer required for most countries. In the future, however, I believe many countries will require this type of certification again.

Travellers will go to their medical professional, get vaccinated against the current and possibly other diseases, record these vaccinations in some sort of “health passport” for lack of a better word and only then will they be allowed to enter a specific country.

A digital document folder?

Abdul Sacoor, Marketing Mentor for Travel Professionals, Current location: London, England

Planning your holidays on a postcoronavirus era will require a bit more effort, in my opinion. This because the world is in constant adjustment due to the virus outbreak. Nevertheless, as avid travellers that we all are, I believe that we will also adjust to the new times, because travel is our passion and that won’t change so easily

One thing is for sure, the queues at the immigration will be longer than before. All the passengers will be scrutinised when they land at an airport and if you’re coming from a outbreak hotspot, the probability to have increased health check ups might be higher.

Seeking the allure of the wildnerness

Denis Gagnon, Writer at BonVoyageurs – Current location: Potomac, Maryland, USA

The COVID-19 virus will most probably be conquered in the near future, but it will not be exterminated until a vaccine is widely available in another year or two, and that has important ramifications for how we travel in the meantime.

With increased awareness and concerns about personal health and safety, travellers will most likely navigate towards destinations and travel experiences which minimize the risk of infection. The wilderness of Alaska, the fjords of Norway or the safe beaches of Tel Aviv may thus prove more alluring than the dense crowds of Manhattan, the grand bazaar of Istanbul, or the Super Bowl in Tampa.

Experiences in the Great Outdoors

Lee Murrin, Writer at Fitness World Explorer – Current location: Dublin, Ireland (originally from Cornwall, England)

During this uncertain time with the world upside down, time for reflection may have made people look on their life experiences. What have they experienced so far as individuals, and the quality family experiences they have had. Hopefully reflecting on fond memories and on the freedom they had to travel and experience amazing places.

Although there is no fast return to travel and we may not be advised to do so by the experts for many months to come.

Once it becomes safe to do so I think there will be a hunger for travel again and many people looking to travel further afield many who hadn’t previously considered doing so. If they have the finances to travel looking to invest in life Experiences not material things.

Go off the beaten track

Alyse, Owner & Founder of The Invisible Tourist – Current location: Sydney, Australia

Have you ever experienced overtourism on your travels? This relatively new word popped up in recent years to define excessive amounts of tourists overcrowding a destination. While we can agree having to compete with the masses for space at popular destinations is unfavourable from a tourist’s perspective, it’s become evident that overtourism has led to negative impacts on locals’ quality of life, too.

One such location that began to suffer a lot from overtourism before the world ground to a halt was Kyoto, Japan. I noticed such a huge contrasts in the space of a few years – from having picturesque spots like Yasaka Pagoda in Gion almost to myself during my first visit, to having to battle massive tour groups in narrow alleyways on the next. The old-world charm was definitely tarnished by being elbowed in the ribs repeatedly!

Looking forward to leading pilgrims along the Camino when it is possible again

Alex Chang, Owner of Fresco Tours – Current location: Bilbao, Spain

As a tour operator in Spain that caters to international clients, there is a great sense of uncertainty during this complex time. There is no doubt that the effects of social distancing and staying at home has helped Spain flatten the curve and although there is still work to be done, we know that things will return to normal. The only question is when.

While new information surfaces every day and each country and state adopts different methods and policies to confront the epidemic, it is impossible to predict when borders will reopen, airlines will resume with their flights, and the confidence travellers will have to move internationally.

Natural attractions gain popularity

Katalin Waga, Travel Blogger at Our Life Our Travel – Current location: Finnish Lapland

When the pandemic will be over and the borders will open again, I expect that natural attractions will be more popular than ever. Fear won’t disappear from one day to another, and a significant number of tourists will head to less popular and more remote locations to avoid the crowds and be outdoors instead of visiting museums and other enclosed places in cities. My family and I can’t wait to go on another road trip to Norway to spend time on the shore of beautiful fjords or hike to the iconic “rocks” again. It’s a perfect destination for post-pandemic times, as the country is huge and plenty of places to explore

We will visit expansive remote areas

Charlotte Tweed, CEO of A Wandering Web Travels – Current location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

After COVID-19, a surge in day trips and visits to smaller communities with fewer people is probable. Travelling long distances may take some time again as people will be fearful of the monsters that may or may not be up ahead. Visits to open areas, parks, and remote areas will also increase as people will want less contact with other humans but will need to fuel the built-in desire to explore.

Also foreseeable is a change to airline policies. Reductions or elimination of cancellation or change fees for those travelling who are sick should be addressed. Mandatory screening for illnesses, such as taking temperatures, at airports is likely.

Family focused, measured and mindful

Priya Vin, Travel Writer & Photographer at Outside Suburbia – Current location: Dallas, Texas, USA

I think moving forward travel will be measured, mindful and intentional. It would not be frivolous anymore – not to hop around destinations, take selfies at cool locations or to show off how many places you have been to. We would go back to normal at some point, but it would be gradual. I think international travel would be for essential business needs and for family reunions. We would see a rise in local travel and more people will take a holiday closer to home.

As for me, while our family travel bucket list is endless, we would prioritiSe visiting our family in India. We were hoping to visit the Italian Alps or go back to Africa this year, but I would be rather be visiting my Dad and in-laws in India before any other travel. My dad was supposed to come to visit us in Dallas which got put on hold because of Covid-19. Luckily, he lives with my sister in Chennai and is in good hands but I would love to go see him and the rest of the family. Africa and Italy might have to wait!

Multi-Generational holidays that connect with heritage

Lori Sorrentino, Founder, Writer & Photographer of Travelinmad – Current location: Naples, Florida, USA

The recent COVID-19 pandemic is something no one has experienced before and the only solace I find is that, in a strange way, it’s comforting to know we’re all in this together. Our world may truly be bonded by it for a long time to come. This shared experience has torn us all apart in similar ways, torn many of us from our jobs – or our jobs from us, as is the case for those in the travel industry. It has separated families and friends in ways that have us seeking new technologies and old-school methods alike to stay connected.

As an Italian-American travel writer who writes a lot about Italy and the food in Italy, this experience has me thinking about friends there, and what my grandparents and great-grandparents must have been feeling as they said goodbye to their family in Naples, Italy to shove off for distant shores in America.

Family travel memories …looking forward to slower family travel in the future

Stephanie Woodson, Travel blogger at Explore More Clean Less – Current location: Asheville, NC, USA

Currently starting on week 4 of not leaving the house, it’s so hard to imagine travel after covid-19 has been contained! We have been taking a trip every two months prior to this and while it never felt rushed, I do think when we can travel again it will be at a little slower pace.

With all of us home for so much longer, we’ve had more time to reminisce on our past trips! We’ve been watching more travel documentaries, making connections to places we’ve been in the past, and looking back through photos more often. We’ve also talked more about the trips we took before we had kids; it’s been fun to spend time talking with them about adventures we had solo.

We will want to connect in person with family and friends

Heather Cowper, Founder, Travel blogger and publisher of Heather On Her Travels – Current location: Bristol, UK

At the moment I can see from my much diminished blog traffic that everyone’s thoughts are on getting through this crisis with health, sanity and bank balance intact, rather than on thinking about travel. But once we turn the corner and the virus appears to be under control I predict that we’ll all start looking forward and planning to travel again.

Come the summer and autumn I expect that we’ll be keen to rearrange travel plans that we had to postpone in the spring, so that as soon as it’s safe to travel there may be a surge of demand, and goodness knows we’ll all need a holiday by then! The question is what shape the travel industry will be in by then and we may not find there’s as much choice or good deals, as travel businesses large and small may not have survived the crisis.

We will want to see family and friends in safe settings

Cristina Leyva Owner CRISANDKIM #crisandkimtraveldesigners – Current location: Marbella, Spain

“I’m going on a trip” is one of the hot topics that most people who are confined to their homes are starting to think about, and right now we are thinking about where we will go when all of this has passed.

One thing that we have clear at @crisandkimtraveldesigners is that the first journeys that will be made between July and September will be close trips, by car or by plane around Europe to see family, friends and the sea or the countryside in the middle of nature according to the client’s personal taste.

I’m looking forwards to taking the TGV to my favourite destination – beautiful Nice in France’s sunny south

Paul Shawcross, Author of Nice’s Best & Newcastle’s Best – Current location: Newcastle, UK

It seems like only a few weeks ago that we were planning or had booked trips for 2020. Like many others, I visualised strolling through hilltop villages, enjoying a beer in Old Nice or even a game of boules! A trip to the Mezzogiorno to explore the Italian Region of Puglia and its Trulli dwellings was planned and another to revisit the Dordogne in France to do some research for my forthcoming travel app and see friends. Finally, a return to Ireland was envisaged following a great family holiday there last year.

However, in common with many others, I have had to revise my plans and accept that, while some limited travel may be possible later in the year, it will be 2021 before things start getting back to anything like normal. Having said that, maybe we should take the opportunity to rethink how we travel and this could be the time to do just that.

We will travel more by train

Pauline Vergnet, Travel blogger at Bee Loved City – Current location: Manchester but originally from France

If there is one thing the COVID-19 crisis has highlighted then it’s how our normal way of living and travelling has impacted our beautiful planet. As travellers, we want to discover the beauty of the world out there, not ruin it. Therefore, I think it’s important to adopt a more sustainable way of travelling. Starting by prioritising train travel over air travel.

Travelling by train has always been a beautiful way to get where you’re going, transforming your travel into a journey. You get to see landscapes you would never get to see from a plane or car. Trains cross through countrysides and open up places that would otherwise remain unseen.

In Europe, we are lucky to have amazing rail networks. Travelling by train is very often overlooked because it is considered too slow and tedious but it’s actually not as difficult as we would think.

The airline industry will experience a procedural facelife

Kay, Travel blogger at The Awkward Traveller – Current location: Portland, Oregon, USA

While no one can completely predict how life will change after COVID-19, it isn’t a complete mystery either. Often, at least in Western media, the majority of people concentrate too much on the fact that a mass viral outbreak has not personally happened in their region. That doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened anywhere though; many countries in Asia, Africa, and beyond have lived through viral outbreaks.

However, in any global crisis, public health or otherwise, there are behavioural changes that are incorporated into the “new normal” moving forward. In the particular case of COVID-19, the airline industry will experience a procedure facelift when it comes to cleaning practices and reservation flexibility.

Airlines have recently released their cleaning practices for their planes, and it is information that helps reassure passengers of their safety aboard the plane. Whether or not airlines were already disinfecting between each flight is another question, but it is a practice that is sure to stick around even after the crisis has passed. Airlines have also seen an immense amount of support for airlines that first jumped on flexible cancellation policies – the ones that didn’t wait until they were FORCED to offer refunds.

I might wear a face mask when it is possible to fly again safely

Jeanine Consoli, Freelance Writer and Travel Blogger at JConsTravel – Current location:
Washington Crossing, PA , USA

What will travel look like after COVID-19? I believe after a short pause, we will go back to exploring our world. As the globe recovers from the virus and slowly begins to open again, we will get on planes and travel to the destinations of our dreams. As a travel writer and blogger, the journey is not only my passion, it’s my occupation. It is a massive part of my life.

I have two upcoming trips planned to Europe this summer. I have reservations to fly to Greece in late May to celebrate my daughters’ college graduation. Each day I stop myself from canceling the plans with the hope that we will be able to go. I will wait until the last moment possible before I take that action.

There will be a huge focus on policies regarding sanitisation and hygiene

Dott. Valentino Coletto, CEO & Owner of Reframed who help people relocate – Current location: Cittadella, Italy

To be honest I can’t make a prophecy and especially in this period of emergency no ones can have a crystal ball to see the future but I can tell you what our customers ask us over the phone or via email. When choosing the travel package, the customers, especially the older ones, are going to pay more attention to hotels that guarantee greater safety and security according to their policies regarding sanitisation and hygiene.

They request increased standards about those topics and they also have more questions about how the different areas of the facilities (restaurant, bar, spa, gym) are being managed and controlled by the staff. Right now we see these matters are their major concern, surely more important than saving money.

I will be more conscious of hygiene

Tiffany Williams, Creator of Leolivingfree – Current location: Mexico

Once this virus has been resolved, there will be positive and negative effects on the travel world. I have the sense that those people who were initially contemplating international travel via airline or cruise ship will no longer be inclined to do so. This fear can impact major regions such as Europe and Asia, China, in particular, deterring people from visiting. Many small businesses will suffer from this loss of prospective clients, and unlike the heavy-hitters of the travel industry, they will not be able to recover.

I do believe the travel & tourism industry will temporarily revise their changes and cancellation policies to increase flexibility. Being so strict with these policies especially during global pandemics is bad for business.

I think the cruise industry will make a comeback

Lauren Covino Smith, Expat Chronicles – Current location: Barcelona

If any industry has taken a hard hit from the effects of COVID-19 it is undoubtedly travel. Airlines, hotels, theme parks, attractions and of course cruise lines are estimated to have lost billions of dollars in revenue collectively. Not to mention leaving thousands without work.

And while these companies are suffering tremendous loss at the current state of the world, there will come a day in the near future (sooner than later we hope!) when the travel industry bounces back. Bigger than ever? Many are speculating…

Well before the Coronavirus took the planet by storm, the cruise industry was already the centre of controversy in the travel world. From cleanliness/quality issues, environmental concerns and tourist crowding complaints by port cities, cruises have developed somewhat of a questionable reputation.

But as someone who has been on more than half a dozen cruises, I happen to think it’s a fantastic way to travel. I still do today. I appreciate the industry’s effort to follow emissions guidelines and respond to environmental concerns as best as they can. And I also believe this industry will emerge as one of the greatest comebacks post pandemic and here are the reasons why.

Virtual vs reality

Matthew Brown, Travel blogger at Still as Life – Current location: Lake Macquarie, NSW, Australia

COVID-19 has increased the popularity of virtual travel and I think this will continue. Immersive technology is improving rapidly, however, there is nothing that truly emulates being somewhere. No level of AI & VR is able to replicate the feeling of climbing up to the Old Man of Storr on the Isle of Skye, battling against 30 mph winds, warm sun one moment, cool spots of speckled snow the next.

There’s nothing like walking the streets of Edinburgh’s Old Town and feeling like you have stepped into both history and a movie set. Visiting a place in VR, at the back of your mind you know you aren’t really there, you aren’t really feeling it.

More people may consider becoming vegans or vegetarians

Wendy Werneth, Creator of The Nomadic Vegan– Current location: Lisbon, Portugal

Once travel becomes possible again, I think we will see a much greater interest in vegetarian and vegan travel. People are becoming increasingly aware of the dangers associated with eating animals. In addition to common health problems such as heart disease, diabetes and certain forms of cancer, our consumption of animals is also creating epidemics and pandemics like COVID-19.

Experts believe that the current pandemic started in a wet market in China, where animals are sold for human consumption. And this is not at all unusual. In fact, more than 75% of emerging infectious diseases originate in animals and then make the jump to humans. If we want to avoid more pandemics like this in the future, the most effective thing we can do is switch to a plant-based diet.

An increased focus in off-the-beaten-track tours

Sarah Bartesaghi Truong, Founder of VeniVidiParis – Current location: Paris, France

As an expert in the luxury end of the market, I think we are in for an extended lull in bookings, even once the health side of the pandemic has been sorted, because disposable income, even for UHNWI, has taken a hit. Most of our customers hail from the US, who are behind us on the curve of contagion, so I doubt they will be back for the Spring and Summer, which are usually our stronger months.

As far as how things will be once the dust has settled down, I think the long term negative effects will be:

– homestays, like Airbnb, will take a massive hit, as people will worry about the hygiene conditions much more than they did before;
– group travel will be hit as well, with negative ripple effects on coach rental companies and independent guides;
– for a while, much less appetite for experiences with locals, for hygiene reasons (going for a cooking class at the home of a stranger, for instance);
– attractions drawing very large crowds (in Paris, the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower come to mind) will have to devise ways to avoid overcrowding (I am thinking stricter timed-entry tickets and fixed maximum capacity for smaller spaces… access to Mona Lisa will have to be rationed!).

Increased focus on travel insurance

Nick, Co-creator of The Danish Nomads – Current location: Denmark

We used to live in Abu Dhabi and would often be visited by friends and family from back home. They were leaving their worries behind, flying down to get some sun and have a good time. Most of them would forget to bring sunscreen and would almost immediately be burned by the scorching desert sun. Another thing many of them would forget about was travel insurance. It just wasn’t on their mind.

When we asked about why that is, the answer was always just that nothing ever happened to them. Could it really be true that you need to be sick or have an accident abroad before travel insurance becomes a priority for you? It appears so.

Staycations are being promoted in some countries

Susanna Mander, Head of Global Brand Marketing, Melià Hotels International – Current location: Palma de Mallorca

I personally believe that the “aftermath” phase for the travel industry will be a slow process and probably happening not before late Summer. The “Domino effect” of country lockdowns at a global level will revert in the recuperation period as mobility will be challenged by the airlines uncertain routing strategy.

Some countries in Europe, historical hosts of holiday travel experiences, such as Spain and Italy for example, heavily affected by delayed sanitary responses and bent by the post virus economical recessions. These places are already inspiring travellers to spend “staycations” this summer in their countries to help with the recovery of their local economy. This is already happening in different industries, such as food and fashion, with a vision of proximity and sustainability.

Staycations will be the most popular choice initially

Irene Caswell, Freelance Travel and Lifestyle Writer, Hashtagtravelling.com – Current location: England, UK

Complacency is a thing of the past. There are lessons for us all to learn including governments, businesses to individuals. There’s no going back to how things were before. You cannot unlearn the experiences from this period in history.

Travel will recover though. Virtual reality can never replace live interaction in personal or business relationships. Tourism is a major element of the UK and global economies but it will need to strategise to build confidence. We’re all too fully aware of how viruses themselves travel. Who would have thought a few weeks ago that cleaning the weekly food shop before you put it away would become second nature?

Focus on fun staycations or day trips

Carmen Edelson, Founder of Carmen’s Luxury Travel – Current location: Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

Once the world starts opening up again for travel, I don’t think there will be an immediate surge. People will still be suffering financially, or perhaps some will be too scared to join crowded airports or cruise ships right away. However, I believe towards the end of the year near the holidays, things will hopefully start getting back to normal.

During this time of transition, everyone should try and support their local businesses, and perhaps focus on fun staycations or day trips in their area.

Walking and working: my favourite type of holiday

Matthew Hirtes, Author, Travel Writer & Copywriter –  – Current location: Gran Canaria, Spain

How will we travel after COVID-19? It’s a difficult question to answer because we’re still not sure when lockdowns will finish and travel restrictions lifted. However, people will be desperate to return to travelling. Despite this, I think the frenzy for flight will be tempered. People will practise social distancing.

Overfamiliar cities will be shunned in favour of lesser-known hordes-free destinations. That’s my head writing. But my heart says there will be a fair share of tourists who will want to visit old haunts with the ease of putting your feet into your favourite pair of comfortable slippers.

The Little Museum of Dublin explores this 

Trevor White, Director of The Little Museum of Dublin –  – Current location: Dublin, Ireland

At this strange and troubling moment in history, all of us face a threat to our health – and to our way of life.

But this is not the first time that people have faced such a challenge. For example, in August 1348 we know that the Black Death reached Ireland. By that Christmas the plague had taken the lives of nearly 14,000 Dubliners.

In charting human struggles, museums provide much-needed perspective, by reminding us of previous ordeals. But they also remind us of our fortitude.

Airline industry observations and many other great insights from Tourism Lecturer, Maria Murphy

Maria Murphy, Tourism Lecturer at GMIT  – Current location: Galway, Ireland

My personal feelings and opinion regarding Travel and Tourism in Ireland
In some ways I think it will be a very different world when this is all over. But in other ways, people will go back to doing what they always did, including eating out in restaurants, drinking in pubs and coffee shops and travelling. But they might do it differently.

Different generations will react differently. Generation Z, Snowflakes, Generation Y and some millennials, who when it came to travel were more cautious to begin with than the previous generations. Many of their travel experiences were shaped by annual family ski holidays, five-star resorts and parent’s credit cards. Yes, they will still have the desire to travel, but maybe not the financial whereabouts. They may end up, like our generations, having to work first and then travel. Or indeed work whilst taking that year in Australia, rather than just travelling around it.

But the more notable differences will be seen with the consumer behaviour and travel preferences of the bulk of the Millenials, Generation X and the Baby Boomers. For those Irish that were badly affected economically by the crisis, travel will be a luxury they will not be able to afford for the foreseeable future.

As for tourism and travel right now, I guess it’s as unpredictable as my future career in it!

Róisín Corrigan, Writer of the introduction to our Lisbon Portugal Travel Guide, Student at GMIT  – Current location: Bray, Ireland

While sitting here at my kitchen table (home in Bray) in front of daffodils propped in a vase, to the sound of my sister mowing the lawn (deciding she can live without facetime for an hour!). It’s amazing really, how these homely additions can create such a subtle warmth, especially compared to my student home in Galway where a vase would be replaced by maybe a half empty naggin of vodka (never mine!), most likely finding a clutch owned by one of the girls with maybe a false eyelash hanging out and the remnants of coins from the taxi the night before splurged all over the counter.

Although our current students are undergoing understandable shock, our numbers may go up in the future

Maria Murphy, Lecturer at GMIT  – Current location: Galway, Ireland

As a Tourism and Hospitality lecturer for the past twenty years, in the Galway Mayo Institute of Technology, on the west coast of Ireland, I am monitoring all this carefully, to see how this crisis will affect our current students and future graduates, often referred to as the ‘Snowflake’ generation. In 2019/20, GMIT’s hotel school has approximately 600 students attending programmes, with 300 students (full-time & part-time) expected to graduate this year and looking for full time positions.

In 2009, this number was approximately 1,200 – 1,500, so the sector in Ireland has seen a big drop in students choosing a career in Tourism and Hospitality in recent years. Businesses in turn were faced with huge skills gaps and shortages, particularly in the hospitality and food sectors.

I believe that health tourism and retreats will see a significant increase

Jackie De Burca, Creator of Travel Inspires, & Author of Salvador Dalí at Home  – Current location: Valencia, Spain

When the huge, menacing dark cloud that has been sitting on top of the world lifts, I feel we will be more health-conscious than ever before. As we say in Ireland, “Your health is your wealth.” All of us have had plenty of time to think and to embrace what is really important in life after all. We have had our own health and that of our loved ones under threat.

I believe that when we emerge from cocooning many people will feel a new connection to themselves, humanity and the world at large. Health and mindful activities that can be enjoyed in beautiful retreat settings will be valued more than before.

Sustained SEO and marketing efforts will help companies bounce back

Paul Johnson, Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog – Current location: Cumbria, England UK

It’s going to be a struggle for the travel industry as for many the main season this year will have already passed by the time we see any notable recovery. Those who will be best placed to bounce back will be those who have managed to sustain some level of marketing, SEO, etc. throughout the crisis, who will emerge with a stronger footing when we come out the other end.

Eugene Costello, Author & journalist for Daily Mail, Sunday World and various newspapers

….”So I did some research (spent ten minutes on Google) and learnt that Ruzafa is variously described as either the Soho or the Shoreditch of Valencia. (In fact, it’s neither, and is not an especially helpful comparison.) But it is packed with townhouses split into apartments, and mansion blocks, and if you throw a tennis ball in any direction from one’s balcony, there’s a very high chance that you’ll hit a bar, restaurant or café. My kinda place, I thought.”

Follow Eugene’s colourful experiences in his series Home Thoughts From A Fraud: Love In The Time of Corona