Before COVID, I flew from London to Sao Paulo to have dinner and then returned the next day. I have spent many weekends in Mexico City, Montreal, and Jakarta. My belief is that life is too short to not travel and it’s important to take advantage of every opportunity. Once you return home, you’ll be able to feel tired.
It’s safe for me to say that the past year has been a surprise.
It seemed that 2020 was going to be an empty slate. 2021 didn’t feel much better.
Travel writing is not my forte.
I lived in China during SARS. I was also in Ulaanbaatar in the 2008 riots. I lived in Bangkok when snipers were stationed on shopping mall roofs and grenades were thrown towards the Skytrain in 2010. I flew to Japan during Typhoon Hagibis. All direct flights from Europe were cancelled. You can see that I am not one to give up.
These are some of the lessons I learned while travelling a luxury lifestyle during pandemic. These lessons will hopefully inspire and inform you in this uncertain time for global travel.
The safest public space you can be in is the one that an airplane offers.
All major airlines require that passengers use masks while onboard, and all modern aircraft have HEPA filtration systems. HEPA systems are used in hospitals to remove 99.97% all airborne bacteria and viruses.
Not all products are equal if you fly in Business or First. However, I would be very happy with the distance between passengers in enclosed suite-style products like those offered by Emirates in First or Qatar in Business Class.
It is clear to me that this is safer than inhaling unfiltered indoor air at a restaurant where you will find the nearest tables no farther than in the next suite on the plane.
Consistency is the key
When the pandemic broke, one of my first tasks was to analyze the data about tourism and travel as percentage of GDP around the world. The countries that are at the top of the list tend to be the most pragmatic and consistent. They simply can’t afford to not be. The Maldives is the best example. They have simple rules that are not subject to change and don’t seem to be in any hurry. You can apply regardless of where you are from or where you’ve been.
These countries offer a greater degree of security than those where tourism or travel are less important.
You have a few once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to seize them
In July 2020, I visited Rome and saw the Trevi fountain on a weekend. It was empty. I spent 30 minutes alone in a room that contained a Mondrian and Van Gogh, and walked around Vatican museum.
These experiences are almost impossible to replicate, no matter what your budget.
If you choose the right spot, and it is empty, you will enjoy the space. Safety shouldn’t be an issue. COVID cannot spread if there is nobody around.
All PCR tests may not be created equally
You need to choose a place that can perform PCR testing. It is important to have a guaranteed turnaround time, and nurses who are gentle. I have had PCR tests that caused extreme dry heaving, which left me more emotional than a night in at Watership Down. Other tests were a delight. Samples were taken with great precision and without any discomfort. Unilabs is the best lab I have found in London. Unilabs guarantees results within 48 hours and usually takes a lot less. The test is very easy to use and I have had instant access to my results.
Aster Health in Dubai deserves a special mention. They not only delivered our results within 24 hours but also sent a nurse to administer our tests at our Four Seasons room!
Conclusion
In the end, I am very happy that I traveled as much in 2020 as I did and I will be returning to the Maldives next year. One thing that I noticed during my travels, other than the low occupancy of hotels and low yields on flights, is the joy felt by workers in the travel industry to see tourists.
People will condemn you if you travel recklessly and don’t wear a mask or use sanitiser. This is a growing trend in travel shaming.
If you follow these guidelines and enjoy responsible travel, you will not only have unique experiences but you’ll also be helping to save one of the most affected industries by the global pandemic.
