Many of us were forced to make difficult decisions due to Covid-19. Trips were canceled, and plans were postponed. However, as the world begins to open up, tourists are looking to make up for lost journeys and missed opportunities. There is a strong desire to make up for lost time and make up for missed vacations. And to make it truly count. With countries reopening their borders to eager travelers, a trendy new expression on social media has emerged: revenge travel.
What is Revenge Travel?
Erika Richter, vice president of the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) defined the phrase as, “Revenge travel is a media buzzword that originated in 2021 when the world began to reopen, and people decided to make up for lost time.”
To put it another way, they’re “getting back” at Covid.
This is an impulse, a drive to make up for lost time and compensate for missed visits. Despite the word’s negative connotations, it couldn’t be more upbeat, suggesting a genuine desire to get out and experience the world again. And to make it count.
How is it any different from normal travel?
People are ready to go a bit further and pay a little more than they typically would on a summer vacation to ensure they have an exceptional experience. And it’s all a part of post-epidemic effects.
But it cannot exactly be called “Post-epidemic travel,” since the pandemic is still ongoing in many countries. Different nations are reopening their borders at different schedules, with some remaining heavily restricted or even blocked to international visitors.
The pent-up frustration and still present covid fear have created some unexpected outcomes. People are eager to go far off, but a survey says that 60% of them prefer to travel domestically. Although, predictions show that there will be a jump of 600% from last year of people traveling from America to European countries.
This sharp uptick is not limited to Europe. With countries loosening up their covid restrictions, although, at a steady rate, there will be a spike in long-distance travel plans. Adding in the new normal of work-from-home, and digit nomad visas provided by various countries, people are freer to move around without fearing losing income.
According to statistics, tourists spend around 34% more on activities and souvenirs when they travel. Furthermore, more than half of all ‘revenge’ travelers following the epidemic have booked trips to countries they have never been to before, indicating that new and bucket-list destinations are at the top of the list.
So either call it “vengeance travel” or don’t. In any case, it’s clear that people’s travel perspectives have shifted since the epidemic began, and that sense of “oh, finally!” has boosted the tourism industry.
What are the top destinations?
It seems last year US and Mexico were in trend while this year traveler’s crowd is moving to European cities. Some of the top destinations are:
1. London, England.
2. Paris, France.
3. Dublin, Ireland.
4. Reykjavík, Iceland.
5. Rome, Italy.
6. Lisbon, Portugal.
7. Athens, Greece.
8. Barcelona, Spain.
9. Amsterdam, Netherlands.
What should you need to know?
If you’re one of those people who desire to travel the world, the best advice is to be realistic. The price of tickets and accommodations around the world has gone up due to the sudden surge of bookings. So if you have planned a trip for this July or August, then think about postponing it.
Wait till autumn near October.
You’ll receive a far better bargain, deal with fewer people, and have a much greater range of alternatives for where to stay and what to do.
Maintain an open mind regarding your options. Many nations in South and Central America, as well as portions of Asia, have gradually begun to reopen their borders.
Keep in mind that everyone has had a difficult few years. Trying to get back to normal has put a lot of strain on the industry’s fewer staff.
Here are a few magnificent destinations which are open for tourism and welcoming visitors back.
1. Turks and Caicos
Turks and Caicos is the ideal destination for luxury post-pandemic tourism. This line of sandy cays in the Atlantic Ocean offers ultimate relaxation with white-sand beaches, cerulean waters, and a laid-back island attitude. All of this is a short flight away from Miami.
2. Azores and Madeira
The Azores and Madeira archipelagos are two alternatives to the more touristed beaches of Portugal’s mainland. These remarkable islands, located 870 and 600 miles from Lisbon, respectively, nearly push you to detach while immersing yourself in raw nature. The Azores, sometimes known as “the Hawaii of the Atlantic,” has a plethora of natural attractions ranging from geysers to waterfalls, fine-sand beaches to thermal baths.
3. Kotor, Montenegro
The little village of Kotor, Montenegro, lies just down the coast from better-known Dubrovnik in Croatia. The vistas from Kotor alone are worth the trip, nestled at the base of a rocky inlet, overlooking the glittering Adriatic and backed by towering mountains. Kotor also has modern marinas and a landscape that lends itself to adventure activities (hiking, rafting, etc.).
4. Malta
Malta is one of Europe’s smallest nations, yet it packs a powerful punch with rich history and culture, distinctive attractions, and breathtaking natural landscape, as well as a jam-packed summer activities schedule. The craggy coasts of Malta, Gozo, and Comino (the country’s three main islands) hide beautiful Mediterranean beaches, isolated bays, spectacular cliffs, and charming fishing harbors.
Malta checks several boxes: it’s safe, has nice natives and a pleasant temperature, and English is one of its official languages.
5. Salta, Argentina
Salta, a province in northern Argentina, is notable for its Mars-like desert scenery, rich Andean culture, high-elevation vineyards, and gorgeous capital city, Salta. The capital, known as “Salta La Linda” (“Salta The Pretty”), boasts some of the country’s most spectacular Spanish-colonial architecture, including well-preserved gardens, churches, and squares. It’s a cultural mecca, with museums devoted to local art, history, and archaeology.
6. Colombia, Cao Cristales
Cao Cristales, often known as “The Liquid Rainbow,” is an experience you won’t soon forget. Because of the algae that grow along the riverbed, this technicolor river runs red, green, yellow, blue, and black in different places.
To make the experience even more unique, the algae only blooms at particular periods of the year, so timing your visit is crucial. The good news is that this summer, notably from July through October, is an excellent time to visit.
