Why you should not cancel your holiday
Food for thought for postponing instead of cancelling.
19 March 2021
Curfews, quarantines and entry bans - That's the sad reality as the novel coronavirus forces policymakers to curb its spread #flattenthecurve. But as correct and important as it may be, one is also allowed to be sad for a moment when the long-planned holiday seemingly falls through. But does it really have to? What are the consequences of so many cancelled trips for hotels, restaurants, even entire regions? Here are three food for thought you can consider before you completely cancel your booked vacation. Maybe you'll decide to postpone it for the future and make up for it when the whole mess has stabilized a bit.
Many jobs depend on tourists
Approximately 10% of the world's jobs are in the tourism industry. Whether in Thailand, Southern Italy, North Africa or Mexico. Because of the many cancellations, immense revenues are lost, because hotels have to close and no more full charter planes land at the airports. But not only the hotel industry needs us travellers for its survival. Tourists are the main customers for many restaurants, street vendors, local tourist guides, small shops and beach bars. Think of the weakest links at the end of this value chain, in the poorest regions of the world. Entire hotels face bankruptcy and struggle to survive. Flight attendants are on unpaid leave, until further notice. All these people we shouldn't just leave to their fate, but stick together and support them when we can. #strongtogether
Positive mindset in quarantine and self-isolation
When you have to stay at home for weeks or even months at a time, it can take a toll on your psyche. Even when we're healthy, it's important to think positive thoughts and make the best of the situation. It can help to see a light at the end of the tunnel - the holiday when it's all over. By postponing your well-deserved vacation, you have something to look forward to. We can all use a little hope right now and having a holiday on the calendar makes isolation a little easier, doesn't it? Set yourself a countdown on your smartphone and the days are numbered until you can pack your bags!
Save yourself organizational stress
Unfortunately, if you decide to cancel a trip, that's no guarantee you'll get your money back. Not everyone books trip cancellation insurance, especially for short trips. Depending on what your contract with the travel provider specifies, there may be organizational problems with cancellation. No one may want or be able to give you a full refund. There are crisis funds, of course, but perhaps the more hassle-free solution for everyone involved is to simply change the date of your trip rather than spend months fighting for a refund.
Picture credits: Unsplash (Heather M. Edwards; Portuguese Gravity; Chen Mizrach; Chastagner Thierry; Goh Rhy Yan)
