What’s the Future of Travel Blogging When Nobody’s Travelling?
With every passing day of this global lockdown, I can’t help but think about the future of travel blogging. I mean, if there’s no travel, there’s no travel blogging, right?
I’ve dedicated almost a decade of my life to this travel blog. It’s my primary source of living, yes. But it’s also my passion, my bridge to the world and one of the few constants in my nomadic life.
Yet somehow, I’m not worried, nervous or depressed.
On the one hand, I know that the travel industry (including travel blogging) is going to take a big hit during this crisis. Personally, my blog traffic has been dwindling, on-going projects have been put on hold and potential assignments postponed indefinitely.
On the other hand, I think we will go on another trip in the far future. We’ll have our passports stamped, businesses that survive will come out stronger, and borders will reopen. And when that occurs, travel blogging will be more crucial than ever, particularly the sort with a sustainability focus.
But rather than thinking about the future of travel and travel writing alone, I asked friends and other bloggers for their opinions. intrepid individuals who prioritize a blend of independent, eco-friendly, economical, upscale, and local travel.
The first sectors to recover will be domestic and regional travel.
Travel bloggers must search closer to home for fresh experiences and partnerships, just like tourists do.
Before we ended ourselves in a worldwide lockdown, I had aspirations of returning to Iran this spring and maybe even Azerbaijan. Even though I really miss traveling, I’m making an effort not to dream about it.
However, colleagues of mine working in India’s ethical tourist industry have been keeping me informed about the terrible economic effects of the country’s lockdown on nearby villages. Wildlife conservation initiatives and tourism employment are at risk, despite the fact that nature appears to be recovering without human intervention. That makes me want to not just take in the breathtaking rural beauty of India, but also to help and
Indeed, it is frightening to think about taking a long-haul journey and becoming stranded in a remote region of the planet. In addition, others believe that, when international crossings open, all travelers may be required to stay in quarantine for 14 days until a vaccine is developed.
According to Audrey and Dan of the ethical travel site Uncornered Market, the era of widely available, really low-cost travel is probably coming to an end. Being closer to home lowers the chance of a flight being canceled or a border being blocked, and it also satisfies a need for familiarity, which is a common reaction after a catastrophe. Additionally, it boosts the national, regional, and local economy. Resuming long-distance travel will need additional time since it must
“France will be the first destination I will travel to when everything will reopen,” agrees Adeline Gressin of the French travel site Voyages etc. I can’t wait to travel and see my loved ones throughout the nation while also engaging in some local tourism. Then? Who knows?
The sluggish travel age has finally arrived.
It will be necessary for travel bloggers who fly large distances for brief trip campaigns to adjust to this new reality.
The idea of waking up in a different nation or continent every week or two, transported by tourist boards, was incredibly exciting until a few years ago. However, things changed when I realized my own carbon impact and wanted to spend more time in each location I visited.
Slow overland travel and extended stays in the very few nations that permit Indian passport holders to stay inside their borders for three months have captivated me in recent years. That’s probably how travel will develop in the years after COVID-19.
I haven’t considered making money off of this aspect of my business yet, but given the state of travel, maybe now is the right moment. I have undoubtedly been influenced by other bloggers:
Kate McCulley of the well-known solo travel blog Adventurous Kate is “using this [lockdown] as a chance to work directly with my readers and generate new revenue streams.” For me, it’s almost like a creative awakening. I’ve started One-on-Ones with Adventurous Kate so far, which allows my readers to speak with me via private video call for forty-five minutes. In addition, I’ve started a mentoring program, private blog consulting, and my Patreon will begin the following week,” she explains.