Sympathising with People鈥檚 Travel Needs and Desires鈥ut There is Light at the End of the Tunnel!
The COVID-19 pandemic raises serious questions concerning the socio-psychological implications of people鈥檚 limited propensity to travel as a consequence of movement control orders (MCO) and fears of travelling to public places. This reluctance can be manifest in the human condition of 鈥榙isease avoidance鈥, involving the cognitive processing of 鈥榞erm aversion鈥 and 鈥榩athogen disgust鈥, though influenced by demography, personality and physical condition.
Yet the popular perception that travel and tourism are social necessities, indicators of wellbeing and symbolic of civilised life creates a real problem and paradox, where travel is essential but health and safety too. The socio-psychological need to travel corresponds to emotional and memorial attachments that individuals have with specific places, whether a beauty spot, restaurant or cafe.
However, travel can encourage personal gain, enhance one鈥檚 ego and elevate one鈥檚 social status. We have often seen these travel obsessions being acted out on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, where carefully selected (and sometimes manicured) holiday pictures are purposefully placed on public display. Hence, we travel not just to see places but to be seen to be going to places. Likewise, we do not go to different restaurants just to eat food but to show people the food we eat.
Conspicuous consumption emboldens a sense of self, especially when we seek public endorsement and appreciation from others. The 鈥榣ikes鈥 and the 鈥榯humbs up鈥 seem to matter, despite the potential for onlookers to feel envious or inferior. But we can lose the authentic focus and meaning of travel when we are preoccupied with creating boastful experiences.
Given the value attached to travel in developed societies, feelings of social deprivation and exclusion prevail if individuals cannot travel for significant periods of time or enjoy touristic experiences. This can lead to psychological distress and depression. The COVID-19 travel restrictions, though logical and necessary, can curtail our travel freedoms as we can sense being immobilised or incarcerated.
The good news is that vaccine rollouts in many parts of the world are offering 鈥榣ight at the end of the tunnel鈥 for individuals to travel again. There is a renewed sense of hope on the horizon providing opportunities to re-think our travel behaviour, prospects and experiences.
Travel needs to make us feel productive post-pandemic, where exploring places cultivates knowledge and creativity. Being exposed to other cultures and ways of life should strengthen our problem-solving skills, broaden our minds and encourage societal tolerance.
We should then appreciate far more the capacity to re-establish genuine 鈥榩lace attachments鈥 and a renewed 鈥榮ense of self鈥, one that is not vulnerable to the social pressures of consumption and display but inspired by lessons learnt during the lockdown era; where we had time to appreciate and reflect on the value of life, friendship, family, places and people.
Let us not get carried away with the obsession that 鈥渞evenge tourism鈥 is around the corner ready to surge forward without any forethought about our actions and intentions. We must think more carefully of the places we visit and the experiences we consume, appreciating and respecting our newfound freedom 鈥 knowing full well that we will never take this for granted again!
Professor Marcus L Stephenson
School of Hospitality and Service Management
Email: @email
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