Pre- to post-pandemic, how long did you withstand the feeling and reality of being pickled like a cucumber or canned like super air-tight sardines, caged like doves, clammed up, bottled up and what-have-yous?
The years January 2020 up to July 2023 felt more than punishing years when Covid- 19 tied up, held up all of our plans, devastated our personal, professional and business lives like no end.
No land, sea and air travel. Not even visiting neighbors or relatives for special occasions. The pandemic fashion statements then were face mask, face shield, alcogel and the astronaut garb looking PPE (personal protective equipment) for the health frontliners. Time stood still during those years.
What gives?
From years 2022 to 2023, governments worldwide finally started to very slowly ease up on health protocols and relaxed establishment rules that we can then finally socialize, slowly allowed us to attend family gatherings and business events and congregate for religious worship and small rallies.
A good three or so years of hibernation for high-wired social human beings, what gives?
Just for fun, we gathered a good number of up to when some animals can last to hibernate: snails – three years, bumblebees – nine months, marmots and grizzlies up to eight months.
Ergo, time’s up for Covid-19 A, B, C, X, Y, Z hibernation and what’s next?
Revenge travel whether by air, land or sea: No matter what mode of transport you like: bike, scooter, car, bus, surf board, kayak, boat, plane, chopper, and hot air balloon, just whatever! 'Coz we were sorely itching already to travel and be a Christopher Columbus to explore the world again!
Raring to go places
Thus, we enquired from top travel and trade industry stakeholders regarding their trade scores and take on revenge travel after those trying and excruciating times. Let’s hear from them:
Maria Paz Alberto, president of the 39-year-old Ark Travel Express, is also chairperson of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Philippines Chapter and president of the Philippine IATA Travel Agents Association (PIATA).
The seasoned travel industry stakeholder shared with us; “business before pandemic was very good. During the pandemic we all know that Filipinos could not travel to many destinations. Many countries closed their doors on Filipinos. This was a very challenging point for most travel companies. But after the pandemic, Filipinos were all raring to travel again.
Alberto said the revenge travel mode picked up when the Filipinos started to be accepted in most parts of the world. “Domestic travel has never been so popular,” she said.
According to Alberto, the revenge travel period has brought an increase in the demand for both domestic and international travel.
High cost not a deterrent
Filipinos would take every opportunity to go out of town or out of the country.
The steep prices of airfares did not deter people from traveling, observed Alberto.
“I believe that we learned to appreciate travel and its effect on our well-being. Families, friends are making more plans every time there’s chance,” said Alberto.
“Travel will keep on increasing. As airlines go back to their previous number of flights, I would expect airfares to adjust not to pre-pandemic levels but at least at lower prices. And this would definitely contribute more to revenge travel. We remain optimistic,” concluded Alberto.
Bookings here and there
Marlene S. Insigne has been in the travel and trade industry for 31 years now and counting. She’s currently the Director of Travel for the 45-year-old Manila-based Southeast Travel. Insigne is also the Treasurer and a Trustee of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) - Philippines Chapter.
Relating about the COVID years, Insigne said, “Southeast Travel was doing well before the pandemic. But with more than four decades of existence, we also experienced some challenges, especially when our foreign market went into recession or when some countries banned the Philippines as a travel destination.
"Nothing like the pandemic. We had zero income from April 2020 up to the 3rd quarter of 2021. Our funds were really affected and we had a hard time with our business continuity.”
Post-pandemic was of course better as local and foreign bookings started pouring in, related Insigne.
She noted that clients went on revenge travel mode, with domestic bookings picking up from the latter part of 2021 followed by international bookings through 2022.
Up to 2024
The impact of revenge travel on their business?
“For us of course it was positive. The more bookings we have and more bookings to confirm and finalize means continued business for us. It’s easier for us travel operators and travel agencies, we just book, confirm and finalize.
"Unlike hotels, resorts and airlines, they need to prepare their properties, call back or retrain their staff and follow strict protocols.”
When asked up to when the revenge travel button will be pushed, Insigne thinks until 2024.
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