Itchy feet. Cabin fever. Call it what you like, but many of us are feeling stuck in a world that seems to have shrunk. Work-space and home-space have become blurred and our nearest and dearest are so very near all the time!

Life as we used to know it has been on hold for about a year as we waited for Covid-19 to run its course. Increasingly, however, we are realising that instead of life post Covid, we have to adapt to life with Covid.

This is as true for travel as for anything else.

It’s time to change the perception that travel is a risk we cannot manage, says Maria Watkins, general manager of the leisure division at Tourvest Travel Services (TTS). “Travel with Covid is built on three pillars, namely safety, flexibility and mental health. Use them to guide your travel decisions and you can’t go wrong.”

Safety 

Avoiding the virus is (and has to be) our main concern when travelling. It influences the choice of destination, type of accommodation and means of travelling.

Maria points out that the hospitality industry is going to extraordinary lengths to keep guests safe, which makes it simple to find accommodation options where you won’t feel at risk. Currently, TTS is seeing a surge in the popularity of low-density destinations, such as bush lodges and islands where resorts are smaller and less crowded.

In terms of modes of travel, airlines and airports specifically are going to great lengths to keep passengers safe. Advances in self-service are limiting physical contact in check-in and security areas, while in-flight interactions are less personal than before. And that thing about unsafe, recycled airplane air? The fact that flights are yet to be identified as super spreaders, gives credence to airline claims about the efficacy of air purifying systems.

Safety tips:

• Ask as many questions as you need for peace of mind.
• Educate yourself on safety protocols; do not make travel decisions based on social media information.
• Change your destination and/or mode of travel if necessary – today’s plan can become tomorrow’s.
• If, once you have arrived at your destination you feel safety protocols are inadequate, engage with the management immediately.
• Remember that nothing prevents you from doing what you need to do to feel safe, such as packing your own hand and space sanitiser products and wearing masks whenever you are in a public space.

Flexibility

 When Covid first closed down the world, countless travellers suffered significant losses as dream holidays had to be cancelled, too often with no recourse. “That those financial and emotional blows have left people concerned, is entirely understandable,” says Maria. TTS’s response is to put flexibility first. “We negotiate hard with suppliers to allow for the possibility that the unexpected can happen, and that guests cannot carry that risk on their own.”

This support for clients is not new, but the pandemic has reminded travellers everywhere of the value of dealing with credible, professional and experienced travel consultants. While entirely online-based travel services do make budget travel possible, nothing beats having a person you know and trust on the receiving end of a call or email when you need support and solutions.

“Our consultants are on a constant learning curve on behalf of their clients,” says Maria. “Requirements sometimes change daily, and you need someone familiar with your booking who can let you know you will need a new Covid test, for instance, or who can make a plan when the hotel you have booked is suddenly no longer available due to a Covid outbreak.”

Now more than ever, working with a travel consultant should be a given when you are planning more than a simple weekend away.

Maria emphasises that travellers are spoilt for choice at the moment as establishments offer phenomenal deals to entice guests. You don’t, therefore, have to settle for cheap and nasty; fabulous and flexible is more like it.

Flexibility tips:

• Regardless of how and through whom you make your booking, make sure you understand the cancellation policy.
• Do not skimp on travel insurance, and make sure you understand the policy and what it covers before you sign up.

Mental health

Travel in these times is not the luxury it might have been before. For many people, a change of scenery has become a mental health imperative.

Fortunately, increasing numbers of establishments are making new types of breakaways possible, especially for people who now work from home. If you cannot go into the office, there is no reason why you have to be at home to work, is there? Many establishments are making work spaces available for mom or dad, while the other members of the family can enjoy the distractions and entertainment of a resort.

“Interestingly, we are receiving a growing number of enquiries from companies for this kind of service,” says Maria. “Employers are realising people are under tremendous strain and are looking for ways to give them a break without compromising productivity.”

Mental health tips:

• When travelling with small children, avoid destinations that involve quarantine.
• If the thought of flying stresses you out, opt for somewhere closer and drive instead.
• If you are concerned about contact with other guests, assemble your own bubble of friends or family members and book out an area of the establishment just for your group.

The point is that we have options. Travel destinations may look different right now, but that doesn’t mean we have to stay home until we can do what we’ve always done.

“Speak to a clued-up travel agent about options and you will be pleasantly surprised,” says Maria. “There is so much we can do and experience without compromising our safety or running the risk of losing money.”

The world is still there; let’s get out and enjoy it in new and exciting ways.