What made you miss the most about travelling?
'Back in the days...'
That was how my grandparents started a conversation when they referred to something that occurred a few decades ago. Unfortunately, the way we have to travel has changed, but not in comparison to a few decades, but a matter of years. Fortunately, it's making a comeback, but here is a list of things you might have noticed that you were missing about travelling.
5 Things you may have missed while waiting to travel again
- Feeling free
- Exploring new things
- Meeting people
- Making new memories with family and friends
- The idea of 'to travel' in general
How was travelling in 2019?
Pre-pandemic: 1 of 5 people traveled to somewhere in the world
In 2019, the number of international tourist arrivals worldwide was estimated to be around 1.46 billion. If we compare this with the estimated global population in the same year of 7.68 billion, this means that 1 out of every 5 people had experienced travelling in 2019.
1. Feeling free
With the arrival of the COVID pandemic, many of us immediately had to deal with isolation or 'keeping a safe/social distance' from one another. For travel enthusiasts, the freedom to be able to travel and fly to various destinations in the world was halted. It was no longer the case that only time, budget, or visa restrictions were the main factors that kept a person from going from one place to another.
| Masks are as important as passports? Similar to the point above, airports and airlines also made a decision which requires every passenger and flight crew to wear masks/facial coverings at all times due to safety concerns. It is now as important as having a valid passport. Without a proper mask, passengers would be fined and escorted off the plane. |
2. Exploring new things
Travelling provides an opportunity for a person or groups of people to explore the world, learn something about themselves or about each other.
| New Place🗺️ | Going to a place that you've always wanted to, but have never traveled to before. This experience allows a traveller to learn something new about the destination: the history, culture, tradition, food, etc. |
| New Adventures🤿 | Some destinations are specifically meant for certain activities: Trying a new sport (diving, snorkeling, hiking, climbing, skiing, sky-diving or adding a new skill (getting a licence for something like diving, learning how to write a certain calligraphy, learning and opportunity to practice using a foreign language, etc) |
| New Dishes🍣 | If you're staying at a hotel, ask the concierge or if you're already wandering around town, ask a local for a nice recommendation for somewhere nice to eat. Then try asking the server for their recommendation on what to eat. If you enjoy cooking or perhaps want to attempt taking a short cooking course making a local dish, don't forget to do some research and make a reservation prior to your departure. |
3. Meeting people
It starts from the moment you're at the airport until the moment you're probably back home: you cannot complete travelling without bumping into someone. Travelling provides us with an opportunity to meet someone (friends, relatives, partners and others) and/or allows us to meet and make new acquaintances. This can be totally random and can happen anywhere.
For example, when it comes to meeting someone new, there might be an opportunity when starting a conversation with someone in the airport waiting area, with a fellow traveller sitting next to you on the plane, bus, or train, or while taking a local tour and talking to the guide, meeting a local vendor who enjoys talking about your culture, etc.
| Don't know how to start a conversation with a stranger while travelling? We have some useful tips to meet new people while travelling. |
4. Making new memories with family and friends
Spending quality time away from home
One thing about travelling with those who are precious to you is that you can open a door of opportunities for new memories: silly selfie shots, family or group photos surrounded by beautiful sceneries or breathtaking landscapes, learning about the history and understanding the importance of preserving UNESCO World Heritage sites, or just spending a moment to to have a nice conversation away from the usual surrounding, etc.
5. The idea of 'to travel' in general
Planning, booking your ticket, packing, preparation
To some (people) they may not miss this part at all, but unless your sole purpose to go the airport is to see the airplanes on the runway or to pick someone up, the following are part of what it means to travel:
| Planning💭 | Where to go? What is the purpose of my visit? Who am I visiting? What am I going to do there? What do I want to see? What do I need? |
| Booking✈️ | How to get there (flight, rail, drive, transfer arrangement and where to stay. |
| Packing🧳 | What am I going to pack for a short weekend getaway? What do I need to pack for a longer vacation? |
| Preparation🚑 | What vaccines and tests do I need to have done before my trip? What should I do if I encounter a medical emergency while on vacation? What should I know about my baggage allowance? What counts as liquid on a plane? What to wear when flying? |
Let's not try to go back to the 'Back in the days' feelings (when we could only wait and think of what we used to take granted for in regards to travelling). Although there are still some necessary requirements, many countries have been lifting their travel regulations for tourists.
As you prepare yourself to get back to the rhythm of travelling, don't forget to check and compare our best flight deals on BudgetAir Australia. Please enjoy your journey exploring the world once again. Safe travels!
*Need some extra inspiration on where to travel? Check out our list of 22 travel destinations to visit for 2022.
| *Need some extra inspiration on where to travel? Check out our list of 22 travel destinations to visit for 2022. |
Very Important Travel Tip from BudgetAir Australia: As borders are gradually opening up and airlines are preparing to add more flights to destinations around the world, travel rules and regulations are also constantly being updated. It is strongly advised for each traveller to check the current travel restrictions required both for their entry to their destination(s), as well as, the neccesary requirements needed for their return trip. Read more on the Australian government's Home Affairs for the latest updates.
