How your holiday will be different this year – travelling post-COVID

Hands up who is looking forward to a holiday? For many of us it will be our first trip in over a year and who wouldn’t find the thought of the warmth of the sun and the feeling of the sand between our toes appealing? Excitement is natural, however, things may be a little bit different this year…..

For starters, everyone, not just drivers, will need to pay attention to the traffic light system. This system, created by the government, is designed to guide us on where we can travel to safely, which destinations require quarantining and where the quarantining takes place. The list, currently split into red, amber and green countries will be updated every three weeks and may lead to more last-minute bookings as we wait to see which list our favoured destination ends up on.

The destination itself may be the biggest thing that is different this year, with many of us choosing to stay in the UK rather than risk travelling abroad. The so-called Staycation was popular in 2020 and until confidence grows in international travel again, looks to be just as popular in 2021. Recent research by American Express has even suggested that as many as 3 people in 10 have already booked their UK break.

But for those of us whose need for Vitamin D knows no bounds, here are some things we might need to consider:

Airports and Documentation

We all know how long airport queues can be, but for now, at least we may have to accept that immigration checks may take that little bit longer. Whether it be airports conducting tests on travellers as they arrive, checking that they had a negative test before they departed or even demanding to see a travellers vaccine passport, things may move a little slower than usual. Why not take the opportunity to start reading that book you have been promising to read all year?

Different types of holiday

Not many countries have agreed on Covid rules, however, the one they do agree on is that you are much safer outdoors. So why not consider a walking or cycling holiday this year? Not only will it be safer covid wise, it’s also better for the environment and healthier all round. Plus after being stuck inside for so long, what better way to get outdoors and see the beautiful scenery?

Villa or Hotel?

Who doesn’t love being waited on in a hotel? But many of us are already choosing self-catering above the noisy and crowded atmosphere of a hotel or resort. Villa bookings are also on the increase as people choose to travel in larger family groups to make up for those missed events.

Travel Insurance

Everyone knows that insurance is vital when travelling, however picking a policy that covers coronavirus is more important than ever. Holidaysafe policies have enhanced coronavirus cover which will protect both you and your holiday.

Bookings

More people will be looking to see if ‘Flexible Fares’ are available – this is a trend that is being seen more and more at the moment, where a booking is created but payment isn’t made until nearer the date of travel. People are also looking for accommodation providers who have a last-minute cancellation policy and that can assure customers that they are covid compliant.

Price Increases

Unfortunately, price rises are inevitable this holiday season as travel companies try to recoup the costs they have lost and this has already led to a lot of us booking short haul holidays this year and longer haul trips in 2022. Just remember you will also need to factor the cost of covid tests into your budget.

Food

Buffets and street food will be severely limited in the pre-covid era, with many more people and establishments choosing to serve food in a way that can be more hygienically controlled and touched by as few people as possible.

Research, research, research

This will be the key thing about travelling in a post-covid world. Whether it be the rules of travelling itself, for example, do you need to wear a mask on the flight, in the airport and on all public transport, to what attractions are actually open when you reach your destination and do you need to book tickets in advance, to knowing the rules and entry requirements of the country you are travelling to, the secret is to make sure you know before you go.

So yes, travel will be different this year but it shouldn’t be scary as long as you have done your homework. As a country, we have already overcome so many challenges and adapted to the ‘new normal’ so we can all adapt to the new way of travelling and before you know it we will all be sipping cocktails as the sun sets on another beautiful day in paradise.

If you’re planning on going on one trip this year, check out our Single Trip travel insurance. Or, if you’re looking at going on multiple trips, check out our Multi Trip travel insurance. Additionally, you can read about the benefits of our travel insurance on our dedicated travel insurance benefits page here.

If you’re looking to book your next staycation, don’t forget to get a quote with us to make sure that you’re covered!