As someone who regularly travels as a form of survival, by living abroad as opposed to the United States, and as recreation I’ve noticed there’s a conversation people are not having about travel.
Before I go further, one of the things I value as a traveler is supporting local communities. That support can be in small ways such as shopping with local vendors who could use the money from stronger economies. I prefer getting my produce from vendors and farmers who are not attached to larger-chained supermarkets. I also opt to eat more with street food sellers and local restaurants as opposed to Western widely-known places like KFC or McDonald’s.
Photo by: Me (Woman selling sweet potatoes in Chongqing, China)
So, what’s the cost of canceled travel?
Last week, I was on a call with various people in the travel industry and the question was posed, “When do you all foresee yourselves traveling again?” I’m not sure that I expected people to have a specific date in mind, but I also wasn’t fully expecting that people had taken travel off the table for so long. One travel journalist specifically stated that they would not travel until there was a COVID-19 vaccine.
Me, on the other hand, had just landed in Mexico (June 8th) to begin anew with my family. No, we weren’t coming simply for vacation, but for people who are choosing to go to certain places for that purpose, it must be done with a purpose. Clearly, we cannot be so removed from reality that we all magically forget we are in the middle of a pandemic. And surely, I would know because my family and I lived in Wuhan, China (imagine that). You can read more about that here and here.
However, those of us who work in the travel industry should have a better understanding that destinations people love to support to boost their social media pages are in an extremely vulnerable position that needs a stronger economic currency in order to survive. Which means people will have to travel to help other people live.
Here are some 2020 stats people should know (from lifewater.org):
Over 700 million people living on less than $1.90 a day, the World Bank’s international line for extreme poverty.
For every 1,000 children born, 39 will die before they turn five years old. (Malnutrition is a component of this)
Of all the children living in extreme poverty, 75 percent live in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.
The tables and graphs pictured below are from a Forbes article detailing how tourism builds economies and establishes jobs.
Below is a chart (May 2020) from Visual Capitalist showing the impact of COVID-19 on global tourism. The impact mainly consisting of islands.
This information is not open for debate or criticism, but a fuller scope as to how travel can help other nations. As a remote writer, I understand that my dollar can go a long way for a side street food restaurant that makes tostadas equivalent to $2. Everyone needs to be safe, absolutely. And people also deserve a chance to not die of destitution and starvation.
This is why choice is an absolute privilege and I have used my choice to assist people in positions worse than myself and my family to help them have something better for them and their families.
Great article...I'm planning a trip abroad next month...your research has been very helpful. Thank you for all of your hard work and time.
Cookie Bates