Ready to Travel...?
Though it is hard to stay optimistic during these trying times, as the world is starting to move forward from the Covid-19 pandemic, it is high time we moved on with our lives and brought back what we enjoyed doing before-travelling being one of them, to relieve stress. As per a recent joint survey by Thomas Cook and SOTC Travel Ltd., 69 per cent of respondents were keen to resume travel in 2021 and 31 per cent in 2022.
When the pandemic finally loosens its grip, where would our corporate professionals like to travel and why? After all, travel plans have been put on hold the world over-thereby, denying a most innate need to explore and see the world. As the saying goes, nothing touched by disaster remains the same. So, it would naturally be worth exploring how the nature of travel has changed- what part of the protocol needs to stay and what needs to go-pronto? Also, how will the Indian tourism industry fare vis à vis international shores?
Corporate Citizen spoke to corporate leaders to know their future travel plans in the during ongoing Covid pandemic-where, when, why and how? Their destination wish list, what has changed in their perception about travel after the pandemic, is safety a priority they would be seeking, does work while travelling appeal to them, and more
Travel to cope with being cooped up
NORTHERN EUROPE - KASHMIR
“I am eagerly looking forward to travelling-I feel cooped up. I used to travel three to four times a year. In India, I would like to travel to Coorg, Nilgiris or go to the north-east, to places like Meghalaya, Shillong and Sikkim”
- Mukesh Malhotra
At Mahabalipuram, TN
We would certainly like to travel within the country, depending on the season, whenever this pandemic gets over. If it is summer we would like to go to the hills-Kashmir or similar places, and if it is winter then maybe towards some beach places like Goa or Kerala. My children are now grownups with their own family, so we usually travel by ourselves-myself and my wife, and sometimes we have the company of our close friends.
In terms of going abroad, if it’s summer we would like to go to Northern Europe; if it’s winter we would like to go to Asia-the Philippines or Thailand. Phuket in Thailand has become more or less Covid free and places like Singapore are very tight. I would like to travel to Switzerland or Italy or Scandinavia-that part of Northern Europe. I am looking forward to travelling to the US too in the near future because I have a business project going on there, which requires personal presence from time to time.
I am eagerly looking forward to travelling-I feel cooped up. I used to travel three to four times a year. Last January, we had gone to Auroville in Puducherry, which was a short 5-6 days’ trip. We chose Auroville because we found that to be one of the safer places. In India, I would like to travel to Coorg, Nilgiris or go to the north-east, to places like Meghalaya, Shillong and Sikkim.
Go for open spaces
One obviously is worried about where one goes and how one travels. Obviously, we would like to stay in a hotel which has got more open spaces than the cooped up kind of 5-star hotels which are in centrally air-conditioned and multi-storeyed buildings. If we can get hotels with cottages and spaced out rooms-one would like to do that wherever possible.
Travelling on flights and at airports, one has to be careful-keep your mask on, have a face shield and sanitise your hands regularly. That’s what we did when we went to Puducherry. While taking the flight to Chennai, I booked three seats as there are three seats in a row. I paid for three seats and only two of us travelled. We left the middle seat empty-that way we could ensure some safety-a little more expensive but under the circumstances that little extra cost seemed to make more sense. And we travelled in a private cab and decided not to go sightseeing to crowded places at all.
Limited business travel
We have our factory in Nalagarh, Himachal Pradesh, so I have travelled twice to Chandigarh and taken a drive from there to Nalagarh. That is essential sometimes, and it is something we have to do. But where I was travelling once-twice a month, now I am doing the same once in six months.
Remote working a no-no
I don’t think this work from home, work-from-anywhere or remote working is going to be a long-term practice. It’s something that has been imposed upon us due to the pandemic so we are doing it because there is no option. Sooner or later, once the pandemic settles, 90% of the people will return to the normal office routine. The need for a face to face interaction is extremely high and is important for a long-term productivity. As we are in the food business and we are treated as an essential service, our factory has been working almost continuously since the last year and we have been attending office on a regular basis.
- MUKESH MALHOTRA, Chairman, Weikfield Group
A much-desired break to London-Scotland
LONDON-SCOTLAND
“Since the situation across the world is not completely normal, I will try and avoid extremely populous locations“
- Swapnakant Samal
At Eiffel Tower, ParisEager to travel
I would like to travel with my family in the forthcoming holiday season in winter. My preferred destination would be Europe. England and Scotland have controlled the Covid-19 outbreak and are opening up for non-essential travel, and since we have had both the vaccination doses, a trip with the family to visit London and Scotland will provide the much-desired break.
Safety first
For myself and my family, in terms of personal safety, I will be looking forward to be served by people who are fully vaccinated. I like to indulge in freshly cooked Indian cuisine along with appropriate social distancing. Due to Covid-19, I will make sure that my family and I are fully insured for any medical and accident expenses, it is better to be prepared for any unforeseen circumstances. Since the situation across the world is not completely normal, I will try and avoid extremely populous locations, as there is a risk of infection in the heavily populated tourist areas. I will prefer to stay at star category hotels. It is important to be fully insured against the pandemic.
- SWAPNAKANT SAMAL,
Head - Policy, Processes & Digitisation, Talent Acquisition Group, RIL
Hygiene, comfort and safety will be the priority
CARIBBEAN - EUROPE
“With more people getting vaccinated against Covid and infection rates dropping around the globe, travel seems a lot safer than it did last year. Still, we have to take precautions while travelling”
- Raj Bhambhani
The Caribbean
I am eagerly looking forward to travelling with family during this year’s Christmas or New Year’s time to a country or region which has pleasant weather or sport-oriented weather during that time.
The best places to go after the pandemic gets over or gets under control in the near future would be the ones where safety is assured. Within India, there are many opportunities to reacquaint yourself with your own country like the northeastern states. Abroad, it would be the Caribbean or Europe.
Safety paramount
What has changed amid this Covid pandemic? We don’t have the option to travel as freely as we used to do before the pandemic. We will opt for places that offer better protection.
As safety has become a priority, we will be seeking safety measures while travelling. With more people getting vaccinated against Covid and infection rates dropping around the globe, travel seems a lot safer than it did last year. Still, we have to take precautions while travelling. We have to choose places with fewer Covid cases and good medical infrastructure. While choosing hotels we would go with those that are customer-centric and offer complete hygiene, comfort and safety.
Hybrid model and work flexibility
Over the last one and half years, we have adopted a hybrid model of working from home and office. Our client meetings are also hybrid where the first meeting can be in person whilst the follow up ones are online. Flexibility has increased tremendously and some aspects of work have become even more efficient and green, thus enabling us to contribute towards making our environment better.
- RAJ BHAMBHANI, Joint-MD, PhillipCapital India
Looking for places that few go to
DUBAI
“I am keen to travel with my family as soon as the world is marked free from the threat of Covid-19 for at least a month on a trip to Dubai”
- Priyanka Mokshmar
I am keen to travel with my family as soon as the world is marked free from the threat of Covid-19 for at least a month on a trip to Dubai. I have felt that the kids have suffered a lot being locked up at home for more than two years now. They have been missing their school, friends, evening classes, parties and in fact, their precious years of playing out in the evening with their friends. We picked Dubai as we have not been there yet as a family.
Sanitised and safe
I would look for strict Covid-19 protocols being followed, such as maintaining distance, sanitisation facilities at every touchpoint, self-check-ins without any queuing at airports, slot allotment for immigration rather than crowding at huge queues, clean and sanitised flights, safe food, clean hotels and a strict monitoring of vaccinated people before boarding flights or checking them in at hotels.
Less crowded spots
Since I am the one responsible for planning the holidays for my family, I have found myself preferring the most expensive hotels where I am sure they follow Covid-19 protocols and hygiene. I have been looking for places that people don’t prefer going, so that there is no threat of crowd or virus transmission.
- DR PRIYANKA MOKSHMAR, CMD, Vaayu Home Appliances (India) Pvt Ltd
No travel plans before 2023
THAILAND
“I don’t think people would be making the right choice merely based on any travel sector survey”
- Gaurav Buch
I would not be making any domestic or international travel plans before 2023 which will also depend on the pandemic situation at the time of planning, backed by viable health and safety protocols.
Post-Covid, preferred travel destinations would be Thailand, Lakshadweep or other beach destinations. But there’s yet no clarity among nations on how the Covid-19 infection is anticipated to spread. Once you put your foot out of your doorstep, what is it that really defines safety? What about the places where thousands are already booked for the same places? Where does the safety start?
Travel options
My choice of travel would be based on - Locations with low footfalls: Luxury travel and 5-star hotels are no longer the prime consideration. The idea is to take local support in planning visits during off-peak hours or when there are low visitor counts.
Standalone accommodation: Private accommodation like self-serving apartments or guest rooms that could prevent unnecessary mingling with other tourists.
Check-in sanitisation: All sanitisation protocols followed in the physical presence of tourists and their families is preferred. I don’t mind standing an hour extra for a sanitisation process done in my presence which gives me confidence.
Automated service: Provide self-service automated tea, coffee, juice and food vending machines, disposable plates and cutlery. Disposable laundry, bed linen, and toiletry kit, even if it costs a bit extra it can go a step towards preventing cross-contamination.
Extended visiting hours: Government-run tourist spots could be given extensions till late evening to ensure small group visits instead of the mass congregation at any particular time or space.
I don’t think people would be making the right choice merely based on any travel sector survey, as governments are warning people against non-essential travel to avoid congestion and win over Covid.
- DR GAURAV BUCH, CHRO, Group Head, Rasna
Explore Southern India
PUDUCHERRY
“My aim is to have a safe holiday by staying away from over-crowded places and those that are not on the main tourist travel lists. The other aspect is staying in a home-set up where you are assured of hygiene practices amongst family members”
- Savita Pote
Pre-Covid, you really would not have segregated tourist destinations as being very crowded or less crowded, which is one of the prominent considerations for making travel plans these days. The other aspects are transportation mode & related Covid compliance but my preferred travel destinations are beaches and mountains.
Choice of the transport has become more relevant in the new Covid-19 world where transport availability and Covid-specific safety and hygiene standards maintained by them cannot be compromised.
Puducherry (Pondicherry) would be my first destination choice for a domestic family holiday. While the prime reason is to explore a part of Southern India that we have not visited before, the reason is that it would be possible to follow Covid-19 protocols, safety, & hygiene in a less-congested city like Puducherry.
My aim is to have a safe holiday by staying away from over-crowded places and those that are not on the main tourist travel lists. The other aspect is staying in a home-set up where you are assured of hygiene practices amongst family members. Having a local relative is an advantage in preparing an itinerary based on the best local times to visit places of interest, especially during non-peak hours.
Fewer, safer
I am more confident with accommodation such as Airbnb apartments as against hotels and resorts so as to stay completely isolated.
Travel practices
I prefer flights with airlines and airports following all prescribed Covid-specific protocols by including masking up and sanitation procedures. While the train travel is completely out of bounds in the current situation, tried and tested car rental operators like Savaari (savaari.com) are fine. They are dependable, and I had to hire them even during the pandemic for my parents to travel. I found that they do maintain the required hygiene and sanitisation protocols.
My travel choice would be based on:
- The density of the populace at a particular destination point
- Services that follow prescribed Covid-specific protocols
- Choosing off-season destination points like Kosani in Uttaranchal, during off-peak (rainy) seasons
- Room for isolated stay and being with nature in the pandemic state.
- SAVITA POTE, Senior Corporate Leader
East or West, India is the best
KUMAON HILLS (INDIA)
“I would like to get away from Mumbai-to a cool hilly destination or a beautiful, thriving beach. Given my love for the beaches, the golden sun and clear, blue waters, I have subconsciously travelled to more beach destinations”
- Ninad Karpe
When things get better, my spouse and I would like to get away from Mumbai-to a cool hilly destination or a beautiful, thriving beach. Given my love for the beaches, the golden sun and clear, blue waters, I have subconsciously travelled to more beach destinations than the hills. A vacation that stands out is the one my wife and I took to the tropical paradise of Bora Bora. We enjoyed it thoroughly.
Roads less taken
However, there are other places of beauty as well. It is time to make some changes and travel to the hills and what better place to explore than the hills of Kumaon in the very lap of the Himalayas? While we are perfectly okay with travelling to some international destinations, India is geographically blessed with every single bounty of nature-a huge coastline, magnificent mountain ranges, fascinating wildlife, priceless heritage and so much more. Why not explore more of all that the country has to offer? As they say, every dark cloud has a silver lining. Covid has brought home the realisation that there are so many wonderful places within India which we need to explore and experience. Places that boast of beautiful natural geography, great weather, as well as rich, thriving culture and unique history. Sure enough, a trip now would involve some advance planning and decision making on selecting destinations that are relatively unexplored and not on the normal map of tourists. The road less taken, so to speak.
Of course, as in the case of any other family, hygiene and sanitisation standards have got to be on par with globally established standards. There is little room for complacency on behalf of either the guests or the hosts. To begin with, the staff need to set the correct note themselves-by being fully vaccinated themselves. Compliance with these safety and health standards will be the way ahead for both tourists as well as the industry
- NINAD KARPE, Partner 100 X VC, formerly Aptech, MD and CEO
Vaccine passport-the new standard
JAPAN - SOUTH KOREA
“Vaccine passport should be the new standard. There has always been a similar standard when it comes to students applying for visas or even for students who go to a boarding school within India”
- Sauma Badgayan
In the Himalayas
If you ask me if there is a holiday destination that I would absolutely love to go to, it would be either South Korea or Japan. The reason being, these are the places I have not yet had the opportunity to visit. Apart from that, I would also like to visit Switzerland, because I find it very peaceful and being a European country, I find it to be very safe vis-à-vis Covid precautions.
Travel essential for work
Because I work in an export-oriented industry, travelling for work is also essential for me. Whenever the borders open I would like to resume travelling because being there in person before a client is more impactful than when you are showcasing the product virtually, and in no industry is this more noticeable than the jewellery industry.
Precautions are a must
When I am travelling. I would want my co-passengers who are not known to me to have been vaccinated, as well as having taken some sort of precautionary test for Covid-19. Although vaccination doesn’t provide 100% protection against the virus, it is at least 60-70% effective in preventing the infection. This would go a long way in alleviating the anxiety people will most likely have when they travel.
Private transport, please
If I am travelling internally in India, and if my destination is not too far or I am travelling between states and the restrictions between them are not severe, then I would definitely not want to use public transport like flight or trains and would rather prefer to travel in my own camper. However, if I am pressed for time and the duration of the holiday is short, then I would travel by flight, taking every precaution.
Vax passport mandatory
Vaccine passport should be the new standard. There has always been a similar standard when it comes to students applying for visas or even for students who go to a boarding school within India. If as adults, we are made to produce a vaccine certificate, there is nothing wrong with that.
- SAUMYA BADGAYAN,
General Manager, Vice President, Strategic HR, Gold Star Jewellery Pvt Ltd
Staycations seem safe and exciting
KONKAN (KOLAD) - MADHYA PRADESH
“To satisfy my travel bug and whilst adhering to rules, I will prefer more homestays and staycations rather than big hotels. To be safe, I would take along some raw materials to cook simple meals”
- Trupti Lendghar-Jadhav
The best part about my trips is that my family is my travel partner. We all are travel enthusiasts and in much need to get out of the house and savour the oxygen supply from nature. Our love for travelling is immense, so much so that, pre-Covid, we travelled thrice in a year. Planning bigger holidays took time but it was so much fun to manage everything. Now, even after giving it enough thought, I am sceptical to pack my bags and leave. The outbreak of Covid-19 has killed several of our plans but we are glad our loved ones are safe and things are slowly getting back to normal.
To begin with, I am partially vaccinated, in addition to that, I would be travelling with our nine-year-old twins and at times my parents, who are senior citizens would also accompany us. As and when travelling becomes safer, we would love to take a mini-vacation post-September. In such situations, travelling local or national makes sense rather than flying abroad. Also, economically speaking, I will prefer to save some money and instead use it to explore our country.
Nearby places
To start with the fun, I will be taking a short weekend getaway for a remote villa stay in Kolad, near Konkan. To be frank, the Pench Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra) and Nagzira Tiger Reserve (Maharashtra) have always intrigued us. So, maybe, when I get my second dose of vaccine, we will take a trip to these reserves because these places would be less crowded. To satisfy my travel bug and whilst adhering to rules, I will prefer more homestays and staycations rather than big hotels. To be safe, I would take along some raw materials to cook simple meals. Lockdown has left us exhausted and stressed, I would just like to sit, relax and unwind instead of hopping from point to point sight-seeing.
- TRUPTI LENDGHAR-JADHAV, Test Lead, Ericsson
A drive from Spain to France
SPAIN - FRANCE
“For now, we would like to travel internationally only because India with its heavy population will take some time to be adequately vaccinated. The top priority would be the frequency of sanitisation if staying at a hotel”
- Radhika Mehta
Both of us are avid travel buffs. Also, with both of us working in the same company, travelling for the Indian Premier League together is something we do. The Covid times have been tough for everyone, and I recollect the vacations of the pre-pandemic era with nostalgia. Be it the pre-pandemic trips to Spain and Greece with their beautiful Mediterranean climes, the tropical beauty of the gorgeous Maldives or the picturesque beauty and vast spaces of New Zealand, each trip was a voyage of discovery and wonder. Both of us love driving and the scenic locales of Europe with their churches, verdant spaces and lovely roads-are great. The topmost destination on our list post-Covid would be a drive from Spain to France-as it’s a very scenic route. One of us drives while the other navigates and it’s great fun at all levels.
How many vaccinated?
Apart from feasibility, the one thing that would influence our choice of destination would be a country with a good vaccination rate of over 70 per cent. For now, we would like to travel internationally only because India with its heavy population will take some time to be adequately vaccinated. The top priority would be the frequency of sanitisation if staying at a hotel but we much prefer Airbnbs, given their spaciousness.
Covid has changed the way we travel, in the sense that one has to be constantly on guard. What’s more, the quarantine requirements of the country we are visiting have to be carefully observed. The frequency of flights too is another factor.
- RADHIKA MEHTA,
Head of Marketing and Merchandise, Kolkata Knight Riders. Achint Gupta, Head of Content, KKR
Adhering to new norms
MEGHALAYA
“We took a quick trip recently. To avoid flights, crowds and to begin our travel escapades on a positive note, we visited Ganpatipule, Konkan. We took a lot of things into consideration before we left our house”
- Abhay Jere
Now that the lockdown is eased up, we took a quick trip recently. To avoid flights, crowds and to begin our travel escapades on a positive note, we visited Ganpatipule, Konkan. We took a lot of things into consideration before we left our house. Sanitisers, social distancing, masks, and even home-cooked food-we made sure that everything fell in place. I guess, these things have become the new normal. Be it long or short trips, we avoid eating out during such times. We made sure that the stay during our mini-vacation was up to the mark and followed all the Covid protocols. Until the virus completely goes off, we prefer travelling locally rather than taking a flight overseas.
Pick and choose
Moreover, it gives us a chance to explore our city and country. The cases are still prevalent and we wish to be safe and sound while we travel. Pre-Covid, we were like free birds with no boundaries or hesitation. But post-Covid, we have to think twice before picking our destinations. Right from the way we choose our hotel stay to the way we travel and to what we eat during travel, a lot has changed. Now, after our second dose, we are planning a slightly bigger trip to Meghalaya -our dream destination. However, before that, we hope that things get better and travelling becomes hassle-free, the way it was before.
- DR ABHAY JERE,
Chief Innovation Officer, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India
Travel by my own vehicle
RAJASTHAN
“I have been wanting to travel to Rajasthan for the longest time. I haven’t been there in years and my family too wants to do a tour there. This is a vacation I have been really looking forward to. Once the pandemic settles down, that is where we plan to go”
- Sezel Lalwani
Close-by destinations
I live in Bengaluru. The last time I travelled was when I was in Delhi for work, recently. As for the vacation plans, at least until the pandemic dies down, my family and I would prefer to travel closer rather than far away, preferably somewhere we can travel in our own car. Nearby places like Chikmagalur or Coorg or Puducherry come to mind. Anywhere you can travel to with full precautions, and where we have control over hygiene.
Off-beat vacations
The first thing we would adhere to while travelling is to maintain social distancing, which is why I would only go where I can travel in my own vehicle. Even while selecting hotels to stay, I would choose options like Airbnb, which apart from providing amenities like Wi-Fi, also provides information about Covid protection and staff vaccination while booking. I would also stay away from crowded vacation spots and prefer off-beat locations. For example, earlier this year, I visited Goa along with my sister. We took a curated cycle tour to off-beat spots around Goa. These are the kinds of vacations I would prefer.
Rajasthan beckons
I have been wanting to travel to Rajasthan for the longest time. I haven’t been there in years and my family too wants to do a tour there. This is a vacation I have been really looking forward to. Once the pandemic settles down, that is where we plan to go.
Vax passport are the new norm
Vaccine passport are here to stay, especially seeing that we are seeing multiple waves of the virus and different variants cropping up from all across the world. I am planning to move to Europe soon and I too am very concerned about vaccine passports and which vaccines would be eligible in order to get those, since not all vaccines have been internationally approved. But I think vaccine passports will be the norm going forward, at least for a while.