Domestic Travel Tips to Help the Tourism Industry

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Depending on where you are in the world, your country may be opening back up. Slowly but surely getting ready to start afresh. Because like it or not, that’s what we’re doing. Building the tourism sector back from the ground up. I don’t think there’s one part of tourism that has been unaffected by this. Airlines have been on the brink of collapse. Hotels have been closed for months. And all those amazing attractions you love to visit had to shut their doors to the public. But before you start booking your international travel I’ll ask you to take it slow, put the credit card down, get off of Skyscanner. For now at least. Because domestic travel is about to be a big part of your future. And here’s why…

International travel in 2020

If you are lucky enough to be in a country that has somehow beaten the odds and slowed the spread of COVID-19, then you are one of the lucky ones. Not all countries are doing as well unfortunately. But even if your home is in tip top shape right now, we need to take this with baby steps. We all saw what happened to all the places that instantly celebrated the end of lockdown with a big party. They’re right back at home. Not quite at square one, but it’s in their rearview mirror still. I hate to say it, but maybe its not the right time for international travel. Not unless you really need to (moving home etc).

Until your country has been on the downward slope to success longer than a week, international travel could really ramp things up again. You might expose yourself to sickness while away, or even take it with you to a place that was doing really well. It’s at this point that I have to say I also want to travel. My parents live in the UK, I live in Canada. Separated by choice of electing this great country as my new home is one thing. But being told I can’t leave? That’s been tough. I would love nothing more than to hug my Mum and Dad, but do I want to risk everyone else, myself and them to do it?! Probably not. So where do we go from here?

Your country needs you

I get it, we’re all itching to leave the house. We want a vacation. We want to sit on a beach, be pampered in a nice hotel. Heck, we just want to leave the house long enough to stop thinking about our sourdough starter! So without international travel to satiate our wanderlust-ing desires, that leaves us with, you guessed it, domestic travel. I’m sure Thailand needs your business right now, but start thinking if it wouldn’t be better to explore some of your own back yard first. After all, there are a lot of people in your community who have lost their jobs due to the essential shutdown of the tourism industry. And while some of them might be lucky enough to be getting back to work as their hotels and businesses open, they won’t stay that way for long if we don’t give them our patronage.

How many of us in the regular course of events actually book staycations? Do you know anything about your hometown? If the answer to either of these is no then you’re the person I want to talk to the most. You see, I’ve always loved exploring, even when I’m not going anywhere. I moved to Vancouver 10 years ago and still treat this place like I’m seeing it with the fresh eyes of someone who’s been here a day. I love playing tourist in my own city, and I love a local hotel stay. So let 2020 be the year you help your local area get back on its feet.

The benefits of domestic travel and tourism

Last week British Columbia entered phase 3. This means that places and activities are allowed to open again (with restrictions) and travel locally is allowed. In fact it is encouraged for all the reasons I mentioned before. So I celebrated with a perfectly timed weekend away with my friend. We planned a last minute road trip to Kamloops, in BC’s interior. Different enough from Vancouver that we know we’re not in Kansas anymore, but not so far that we’re gracing the world of Oz. Here are a few things I learned in that first trip, and other tips that might help you get ready to start traveling again.

Enjoy the place you live

If you have chosen to live somewhere then you must like something about it. If you were born where you live, you’re likely sticking around for good reason too, or at least able to see something good about it. This is the perfect opportunity to enjoy where you live. To explore a little more. See places you’ve always wanted to go but felt the pull of Mexico or Europe was a little stronger.

Support local businesses

By staying locally you are helping contribute to your own economy. You’re helping your friends, family and fellow locals to stay employed, to keep their business running and to ensure that they are still around this time next year. It’s been a rough ride for most of them, and the ones that survived need your help to keep going. Never underestimate the power of ordering dinner from a local restaurant, visiting a fun local attraction or staying at a hotel in your city for a luxury night.

Domestic travel deals

Businesses know that we are all ready to get more than 300 yards away from our house. They know we want to do things again, hang out with our friends, and book a little mini getaway. Close enough to home to feel safe, but far enough that we can enjoy a new set of four walls. So look out for local travel deals. In Vancouver, the Fairmont Hotel chain has been offering 2 for 1 hotel night stays. Encouraging locals to book a relaxing night away but knowing that we might still be trying to keep within a budget. Same thing for some attractions. Look out for local resident deals and discounts.

Slow travel is good

While we’re all staying locally instead of jet setting around the world, we’re also helping out the environment. Packing your family into a car for a camping trip or a road trip is much better for Mother Nature than all the energy needed for a 5 hour flight. I’ve been trying to find alternatives for plane journeys for a while. In Europe especially it’s easy to just book a short flight, but when you take into account check in time, security time and journey to/from the airport, maybe that 3 hour bus or ferry ride isn’t that big a difference. And likely cheaper.

Your money will go further

Well, it might with all these deals that could be coming your way, but if nothing else traveling domestically means no currency exchange. No exchange fees, no hidden international credit card transaction fees. And no expensive flights. You can maybe treat yourself to the nicer accommodation because you’re spending $100 on gas instead of $700 on a flight. Plus, no one is going to get you all confused about your own country’s money (one would hope).

Saving you time

I don’t know about you but I hate travel days. Time differences, airport waits and long lines at the taxi stand (or Uber). You know when you don’t get any of that? With domestic travel. Hop in the car, stop when you want for a rest, and enjoy the journey just as much as the destination for once. You’ll find your trips are more productive, and you might even start planning more domestic travel trips after this year.

Of course if you live in a big country like me then travel from one part to another could still involve time differences and flights. But for your first trip, I would recommend you stay as local as you can and avoid all of that.

Solo travel opportunities

The first time I took a solo trip I was scared AF! It was a big thing getting on a plane and not knowing anyone. If you’ve been thinking about taking a solo trip, but a bit worried about whether you’ll like it, maybe this is the time to test it out. Try going away for a weekend by yourself somewhere close to home. Visit somewhere your friends aren’t interested in going but you really are. Get some time away from those you’ve spent the last 4 months living with day in and day out. Whatever the reason, solo travel is always a good thing for the soul and I recommend everyone do it at least once.

Find a new local getaway

In Vancouver we usually end up with the same three quick and easy weekend getaways: Whistler, Victoria or Seattle. One of those is a no go due to border closures, and the other two are not as appealing for my first trip out of lockdown. So I got a map out and started working outwards to see where else I could go. We chose Kamloops, a 4 hour drive away. I had been there a number of times for work, but never spent more than a night and used it mostly as a place to get a few hours sleep.

Fast forward to 2020 and I actually got to spend a couple nights in the town. I tried new restaurants, did new hikes and enjoyed the fact that Kamloops is a desert town instead of the green coastal city that I live in. Very different, and really interesting to check out for a change. I’m already excited about going back another time and realized just how close it is.

Enjoy popular places without crowds

I live in a very photogenic part of the world. One that millions of people travel to each year to marvel at the beautiful big mountains and turquoise lakes. With this beauty comes crowds that unfortunately can often hinder locals wanting to experience places close to home. This year is a great chance to see some of those places in your own country as they are a little quieter. Some of those lakes that usually have no parking spots left by 7am, you might get into. Those trails that are often so busy you’re stuck behind people, you might have to yourself. And those restaurants you usually have to wait an hour for a table for, you might get in right away. When tourism comes back full force, you might not get these same opportunities again.

Travel insurance needs differ

Those international trips can get tricky when it comes to insurance. You have to worry about flight cancellations, lost baggage, getting sick somewhere you don’t speak the language. You know what takes all that worry away? Domestic travel road trips! Despite what your other half says, there’s a 99% chance they don’t leave without you if you’re running late. And if you lose your luggage it’s likely because you left it at a rest stop. Medical coverage is typically not a problem either if you’re within your home province/state/country, depending on the rules of your country and its medical coverage. That’s a load off right?! Saves a bit of money too, as travel insurance can get expensive. *please always check your travel insurance needs before booking any trip, domestic travel sometimes requires travel insurance too*

Scratch that travel itch

In case you haven’t figured out by my blog name, I love to travel. I just really like exploring new places. With so many months stuck at home, and already two trips cancelled I felt like I was never going anywhere again. So being able to travel again, even somewhere more local, is all about getting that new experience and scratching that proverbial travel itch. It’s highly satisfying and has greatly improved my outlook on future travel, and improved my current mental health state. Being in the same place day after day was beginning to get me down, but a short trip to Kamloops had me excited about travel again.

Encourage others to stay local and take advantage of domestic travel

Some people will always want to go somewhere different, cross off another bucket list item, but staying locally doesn’t have to quash that desire. By visiting somewhere close to Vancouver, I was able to learn a bit more about this place I chose to call home. I instantly came back and told my friends and family what an amazing time I had in Kamloops, and now everyone wants to go sometime in the future. I shopped at the local farmers market, ate at local restaurants (and drank at local breweries) and stayed in a local hotel. All in all, I’d say I was pretty successful in supporting British Columbia this week and will continue to encourage others to do the same.

If you are worried about traveling internationally, you can bet other people are too. So this is the perfect time to see more of your own country, enjoy some local activities and get to really know where you live.

If you’ve enjoyed this post leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. Will you take advantage of domestic travel opportunities as your country moves into allowing it? What other tips do you have for those wanting to travel this year?