Why are distance and space so important in your next vacation?

It’s no surprise that we are entering a new era of travel. An era that requires more rigorous considerations of social distancing, space, health, and safety. As a result, it may be more important than ever to establish safety corridors or “travel bubbles” that can provide you with an additional and legitimate sense of security. By taking some necessary precautions, we believe that it is possible to safeguard your well-being as you move toward your destination. Don’t think of these measures as restrictive; rather, see them as guarantees that your trip will be enjoyable and safe, thanks to the expansion of some fundamental protocols.

Choose “Off-the-Radar” Destinations

In this new era, traveling is no longer as simple. There are new challenges involved in visiting our favorite places, some of which may prevent us from fully enjoying them. So, why not consider new destinations? Ideally, ones that offer greater distancing.

Connect with the Destination While Staying Safe

Before the pandemic, avoiding crowds was a factor that helped you connect with the destination; now, it is also a matter of personal health. When visiting a new place, you gain new insights, inspiration, and meaningful experiences, and that should not be overshadowed by concerns about your health and safety. Remote destinations offer the opportunity to explore without compromising your sense of security.

Tourism Regulations Keep You Away from Crowds

Let’s explore this idea a little further. Tourism regulations in remote places, such as the Galápagos National Park (GNP), ensure that the only people you experience the destination with are those traveling with you. This means that not only will you know the conditions under which everyone has traveled, but you will also feel safe knowing that you won’t encounter anyone outside your travel bubble when visiting sites in this unique part of the world. This is thanks to GNP regulations, which strictly govern the number of visitors at any given site, guaranteeing absolute exclusivity.

Crowded places often mean rushing from one sightseeing spot to the next to make way for the next group. However, in sanctuary destinations, you will have these places all to yourself, allowing you to explore at your own pace and fully enjoy everything you wish to see.

Choose a Provider That Guarantees Your Safety

Places that are off the tourist circuit or that limit tourism in some way are a great start, but if you want to go the extra mile, you should choose your provider carefully. A provider can be your tour company, but it could also be the hotel or cruise you plan to visit, or the company that operates them.

Ask Your Travel Agency the Right Questions

Once you choose your destination and package, you will be in their hands, so it’s best to ask in advance and understand what you are signing up for. Does your provider guarantee an intact travel bubble at all times? Will you have a guaranteed personal space of 28.26 square feet? You have every right to ask these questions and demand assurances when it comes to your personal space and safety.

Ensure Your Tour Operator Has Safety Procedures for Their Staff, You, and the Environment

Another key factor is examining the precautions your provider is taking to keep employees, guests, and the environment safe. This is not only a sign that they are managing things responsibly and making the well-being of their guests and staff a real priority, but it also demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainable tourism. Look for providers that guarantee their employees access to personal protective equipment and health screenings. They should also implement cutting-edge technology to ensure strict and environmentally friendly cleaning procedures.

Choose the Right Type of Accommodation

Selecting the right accommodation is essential if you want to experience a safe and enjoyable trip. Whether you prefer a land-based or sea-based experience, you should opt for boutique hotels or expedition vessels.

Boutique Hotels

Unlike chain hotels, boutique hotels create intimate and comfortable environments with a limited number of rooms. In this type of hotel, you won’t find 100 or more small rooms; instead, you will enjoy spacious rooms with unique features, as well as less crowded social areas, providing just the right amount of tranquility, space, and security.

Expedition Vessels

When it comes to expedition vessels and why they are a great alternative to cruises, they offer a much more personalized and immersive experience. These ships typically navigate remote destinations and sanctuaries like the ones mentioned earlier. Additionally, expedition vessels are a natural choice for preserving the pristine condition of the places they visit. This is because they adhere to strict limits on both ship size and the number of guests on board, without sacrificing comfort and space!

For example, in the Galápagos Islands, expedition vessels cannot carry more than 100 passengers. This measure helps preserve the islands and their unique and fragile ecosystems, where endemic species roam freely.

On board an expedition vessel, you will find comfortable cabins and social areas with significantly less traffic compared to mass-market cruises. Here, you can feel at ease in spaces designed for relaxation, without worrying about people invading your personal space.

Space-to-Guest Ratio: The First Thing You Should Ask Your Tour Operator

When considering accommodation options, you need to think beyond just the size of the facilities. In fact, there is an even more important feature known as the space-to-guest ratio. This number reveals the amount of space available to each guest at a hotel or aboard an expedition vessel. If you ask your travel agent about this, you are on the right track to finding the safest and most comfortable accommodation available.

Why is this important? Sometimes, travelers can get confused when it comes to size. A larger ship or hotel, with many common areas, might sound like a dream, but you must consider how many people you will be sharing those spaces with. If you think that a much smaller ship or hotel will keep you isolated from crowds, think again. Less space doesn’t always mean more privacy.

The space-to-guest ratio is the only way to truly determine whether an accommodation option is spacious, regardless of its size.

At first, it may seem overwhelming to consider each of these important factors in your travel plans. However, the reason travel agents and tour operators exist is to take care of the details. That said, it is a good practice for today’s travelers to ask the right questions to safeguard their health, safety, and well-being. This can be done while pursuing your dreams of visiting and exploring new destinations through well-organized safety corridors and travel bubbles. Nurturing your curiosity and honoring your spirit of adventure by traveling to incredible places remains a chance to grow and discover a part of yourself you may have never imagined. After all, this is a new era with its own set of rewards and so much more to offer!

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