Navigating the new normal: The future of travel in a post-COVID-19 world

Τhe rise of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR, or Industry 4.0), and its associated technological developments like augmented and virtual reality, Artificial Intelligence and machine learning, as well as the Internet of Things (IoT) are opening the doors for virtual travel opportunities. 

Are you a world traveler, someone who lives frugally, and saves as much of their monthly wages as possible to visit a new destination every year? Or, are you perhaps a professional travel blogger, and, under normal circumstances, you travel to a new country several times a year? 

How are you navigating your way through the forced global shutdown of almost every country in the world? Have you managed to pivot your travel blog business model to embrace the changes required to slow down and prevent the widespread consequences of the COVID-19 virus? 

Terry Nguyen wrote in his article titled “People who travel for a living are struggling to find work,” that COVID-19 is hurting the travel industry, including people who travel for a living. He goes on to note that the world is in an unknown volatile period, and no one knows what the future will bring. 

But, on the positive side, successful travel bloggers are used to the uncertainties of freelancing, and many have residual income generation efforts that will pay the bills for a couple of months without having to travel around the globe. The caveat here is that this income will not last forever and bloggers need to actively look for new ways to promote themselves and their blogs.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution: Pivoting travel online
At the same time, the rise of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR, or Industry 4.0), and its associated technological developments like augmented and virtual reality, Artificial Intelligence and machine learning, as well as the Internet of Things (IoT) are opening the doors for virtual travel opportunities. 

What is virtual travel? 
Succinctly stated, virtual travel utilizes technologies such as augmented reality and virtual reality to allow the armchair traveler to experience traveling to new places without leaving their home. While it must be acknowledged that nothing will ever replace the physical or real-time experience, taking digital tours is a viable alternative while the world is still on lockdown. 

The next question that must be asked and answered is, how long will the world remain shuttered as a consequence of COVID-19? 

The only answer to this question is: No one knows. Thus, the only viable solution for successful travel bloggers to communicate with their many followers is via the online space. And, there are many different options available for bloggers to leverage the online space to engage with their followers and even to grow their brand. 

Bloggers need to remain agile, focused, and committed to making their brand’s work in the new normal. Travel bloggers also have value to add to the life coaching industry. As described above, because professional bloggers are also freelancers, they are used to thriving in the unknown and leveraging the unknown to generate an income, that they will have value to add to people’s lives who are battling with the COVID-19 unknowns.

Thirdly, another option is to hold webinars and Zoom sessions to discuss past travel experiences and what to look forward to when the world opens up for travel again. It doesn’t matter how long it takes for the world to open up, positive anticipation, and looking forward to the future is a good thing for everyone.

Finally, the only thing left to say is that, during COVID-19 era we can't meet each other, therefore, let's talk online with LuckyCrush.