2020: Our Vision for the Future
The canals of Venice run clear during COVID-19 lockdowns. Photo source.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a global impact, and what this means for the future of travel we can’t say for sure. However, what this downtime has given us is a chance to reflect on our former travels and consider what changes might need to be made in the future. We’re making it our mission to change the travel industry for the better, and we hope you’ll join us.
It’s been eye-opening to see how the natural world is able to thrive in the absence of human interference.
Just look at the canals of Venice! It’s almost as if the world has never seemed more beautiful. To think about Venice reverting to its over-crowded, murky water ways feels conflicting. On one hand, many Venetians rely on tourism dollars for their livelihood. And on the other hand, the kind of mass tourism seen in Venice is not sustainable. Not only does this kind of tourism take a toll on the natural environment, but it contributes to a gradual loss of identity. When the tourist population so greatly outweighs the local population, Venice starts to feel less like Venice and more like an amusement park.
Time for a change.
The recovery of tourism doesn’t mean that tourism must look exactly as it did pre-COVID-19. This is an opportunity for the travel industry to take a big step forward, and make a shift towards sustainability. Now, more than ever, we are inspired to ensure that the kind of travel we facilitate is even more conscious, and more sustainable than before.
One of our first steps is the development of an entire collection of domestic trips designed to highlight the beauty and diversity of The United States of America. By choosing destinations that are a little more off the beaten path, and by seamlessly integrating experiences with low environmental impact all within our “affordable luxury” sphere, we hope to showcase how travel can be both luxurious and responsible.
Moving forward, you can expect many of our AstridTravel Trips to place a stronger emphasis on time spent in nature and activities that improve one’s overall wellness in addition to our focus on personally and culturally enriching experiences.
In 2020 and years to come, the status quo of the travel industry is certain to change.
Let’s change it for the better.
Find our COVID-19 response and protocols here.
