5 Reasons to Keep Traveling Now Despite Fears about Coronavirus
5 Reasons to Keep Traveling Despite the Coronavirus Outbreak
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to wreak havoc on individuals and communities throughout parts of Asia and is beginning to have a more dramatic global impact, as stock markets plummet, governments begin taking drastic measures to ensure the safety of their citizens, and consumers begin to change behaviors due to the fears about the virus.
Make no mistake: There are legitimate concerns and reasons for some people not to travel at this time. Those with compromised immune systems, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory issues (among other populations) may be at an increased risk of more serious health implications should they contract Coronavirus. Furthermore, this is a very fluid and emergent situation — We are learning more every day about this virus and what we think we know today may well change next week or next month or next year.
And yet, with all of that said … We are still traveling. Members of our team are either currently out on an adventure in or about to embark on travels to Japan, Mexico, Tanzania, Chile, and Greenland, among other destinations. Armed with constant updates from our friends and destination partners with boots on the ground all around the world and from friends with deep knowledge of the epidemiological facts about the virus, we have chosen — for now — to not let Coronavirus stop us from doing what we love: Travel. In some ways, travel has never been more important. Here are 5 reasons why we believe you, too, should keep traveling in spite of fears about the Coronavirus:
1. Travel is always an opportunity to explore, discover, learn, and grow
Every time we pack our bags, grab our journals and cameras, and hit the road, we are presented with amazing and unique opportunities: To explore and discover new parts of the world and ourselves; to connect with new people, places, perspectives, and ideas; to be inspired and moved by all that we do and see and allow that inspiration to drive us to take powerful action in our lives; and to become ambassadors of change and growth, to become global citizens who foster cultural understanding, communication, and empathy, and to become better human beings. By staying home, we mute the opportunities for learning and growth that are such critical parts of our human experience.
2. Smaller crowds mean that you'll have the place to yourself
With fears about coronavirus spreading, the travel industry is already starting to see significant changes in consumer behavior: People are canceling trips and/or, perhaps more so, people are becoming more and more fearful of even booking trips in the first place. All of which presents those who do venture out the chance to have some of the most popular destinations to themselves. Imagine having the opportunity to spend time in Machu Picchu or Rome or London without the throngs of tourists who arrive there every day via bus … It's a traveler's dream!
3. Travel may never be more affordable
It’s simple supply-and-demand economics: As fewer people travel, the lower the prices get as destinations, tour operators, and accommodation providers scramble to fight for every traveler dollar available. In other words, fewer travelers will often mean lower prices. That African safari you’ve been putting off because it was too expensive may now suddenly be within reach!
4. Supporting Local Economies & Communities
The travel and tourism industry is one of the world’s largest global economic drivers, and many communities around the world depend largely or solely on income from travelers for their livelihood. By not traveling, we act to amplify the negative impact of the Coronavirus to people, places, and communities around the world.
5. The Facts: What we know (and don’t know) about Coronavirus
When it comes to facts about the Coronavirus it’s easy to get swept up in things like death counts and the number of countries where the virus can now be found. But dive a little deeper and you’ll find some interesting – and potentially reassuring – facts. For example, according to Worldometers.com, the number of newly recovered patients worldwide has been greater than the number of newly infected every day since Feb. 19 (for the past week). Plus, the number of serious and critical cases, as well as of new deaths, is declining worldwide.
For more information and research about the Coronavirus as it pertains to travel, please check out the following links:
· www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
· www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html
· www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/
· www.vox.com/2020/2/23/21149327/coronavirus-pandemic-meaning-italy
· www.vox.com/2020/2/26/21150529/italy-coronavirus-south-korea
· www.parenting.nytimes.com/health/coronavirus-family-travel-advisory
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Travel is always fraught with inherent risk. But, for now, we are not letting the Coronavirus hold us back. We are not changing our travel plans, and — with caveats applied — we would encourage you not to, as well.