international travel is back
With the borders opening and international travel becoming an option again, many of us will be thinking about going overseas. The arrival of Covid-19 on New Zealand’s shores put travel at a complete standstill. A lot of countries have been open to the rest of the world for a while now, so there was always an option to leave New Zealand, but getting back in was a different issue.
Travel restrictions have been an extremely difficult time for those who have family overseas, or people wanting to come home after living abroad. It’s also meant our tourism industry has suffered greatly, relying on government support and domestic visitors to stay afloat. It’s also had an impact on the rite of passage that is going on a big OE. Whether it’s straight out of high school, or after uni, going to Europe to ‘find yourself’ is a hugely popular path for young New Zealanders. According to Statista, the number of international tourists worldwide dropped by 73% in 2020, rising by only 4% in 2021. This number will steadily grow, but we have no indication of when or if it will rise to pre-Covid-19 levels.
Making a plan to travel internationally this year feels very doable. For New Zealand citizens, the border is pretty much open, with testing requirements and isolation periods if you test positive for Covid-19. There are some people already planning their trips they’ve had on hold for more than two years. This is not to say that travellers at the border present zero risk, a new variant could pop up at any time that forces us to reconsider how we approach the pandemic. However, the prospect of international travel is exciting, and one we haven’t had the chance to think about in a really long time. Families can be reunited for weddings or funerals, tourism industries across the world will see an uptick in numbers that they desperately need, and people will be able to experience different cultures and landscapes across the world.
Alice has a trip planned to South East Asia at the end of the year, and is excited to see what’s in store for her first international holiday in over three years.
“There is a part of me that feels I’ve missed out on some crucial unhinged 20-year-old activities because of Covid-19. Luckily, I’m still only 21 and have just finished my degree so there’s still time,” Alice tells Massive.
“It’s safe to say I have cabin fever. Other countries overseas have been a lot more open with their borders and travel, so it’s been hard seeing other people live out their lads on tour fantasies when the height of excitement here is a trip to Dannevirke,” she says.
The border restrictions have been an important tool for keeping New Zealanders safe from Covid-19 and its cheeky little variants, but they’ve also caused a lot of division. People overseas don’t feel a part of their own country, and those needing to travel to see family have to face the reality that they might not be able to get back in. There’s also the ethical side of travelling, heading to places with low vaccination rates or high hospitalisations feels a bit gross. Travel continues though, and tourist industries are likely very grateful for it.
Getting Covid-19 feels like an inevitability for some people. Milly, who is also planning a trip to Asia, and eventually Europe, has accepted this as a fact.
“I’ve accepted it’s probably inevitable. I feel privileged to say I don’t feel scared of it because I’m young, healthy and triple vaxxed. I’m scared of Long Covid however. I’m already ditsy enough I really don’t need brain fog or chronic fatigue,” she tells Massive.
One of the many things Covid-19 has taken away from us is a sense of certainty, we can never know for sure if our plans will go ahead the way they’re supposed to. Ask anyone who was planning on going to RNV this year, or the weird replacement Easter RNV, and they’ll tell you this is true.
It’s worth remembering that the easing of Covid-19 restrictions feels good for things like travelling, parties, and events. However, it also impacts vulnerable communities greatly. Disabled and immunocompromised people may not be as excited as those eager travellers that the border is opening, capacity limits are increasing and contact tracing is a thing of the past. If you’re privileged enough to be planning a trip overseas, don’t be an idiot. Putting yourself at risk is a choice you can make, but think about who you might be impacting by doing so.
I’m planning a trip to go see my Nan in England this year, and you know I’ll be RAT testing myself silly beforehand. A little bit of a nose-tickle is worth it to keep my vulnerable loved ones safe.
All that being said, go ahead and book that Contiki Tour, or plan that full-moon party in Thailand, you deserve it.