‘As soon as this pandemic is over, I am packing my bags and leaving for a vacation!’ 

How many times this year have you repeated this statement to yourself? We expect this must have happened a lot, and we do not blame you for it. The spread of Covid-19 has left us all anxious and tired. The strict lockdowns and social distancing guidelines entirely flipped our everyday lives, and now we live in utter boredom, stuck inside our houses with nowhere to go. This whole situation is more like a death sentence for people who love to travel. Such people thrive on exploring new places, and confining them is depriving them of life. 

Traveling is a great way to open your mind and unwind all the built-up stress. It is healthy to take out time for vacations to relax. It is also remarkable for enhancing your overall productivity and creativity. However, planning a trip brings with it some unique challenges. In case you are a frequent traveler, it helps to go through the advice offered by tourism experts. These individuals are professionals in their fields, and they often take up hospitality and tourism degrees online and off-campus to become proficient in the subjects. They usually have tremendous insights to offer relating to planning and executing trips! 

We have kept these recommendations in mind to develop a list of traveling challenges for you and how to prepare against them. So let’s get to it!

  • LOST LUGGAGE:

We understand losing baggage is exceptionally stressful and startling, but we advise you to expect it and plan. An essential part of planning is to imagine a catastrophe and then think about what you would need and require in that situation. So, for example, let’s assume you lose your baggage, think of the things you would need to survive at your destination without your luggage? Please think of the most critical things and pack them in your hand-carry. You should keep all your important documents, any valuable items, and a pair of clothing in your hand-carry. This way, even if you lose your bag, you can still move forward with your plan without getting stuck. 

  • FALLING SICK: 

Traveling involves new and unique experiences, which at times, are proven risky. You can fall sick or get injured before a trip or during it. At times these situations are inevitable. However, try not to take risks when you are on a trip. It means you should avoid all sorts of activities that may pose a danger of getting injured. Also, avoid street food items that can trouble your stomach. You should always have a first-aid kit on you with some usual pills for headaches, tummy aches, and pain killers. 

One significant point to remember here is the existence of Covid-19. If you recovered from fever or flu-like symptoms before or during the trip, you might have to get yourself tested to prove that you are free of COVID. 

  • FALLING SHORT OF CASH:

Travelling is all about effective cash management. Firstly, you should have a thorough plan of all the expenses you expect to incur on the trip. Once that is done and set aside, you should keep in mind that unexpected expenses or emergencies also happen. To address this, you should have a separate emergency fund that you will only use in a dire situation. 

  • GETTING ROBBED:

Safety standards differ from country to country. It is essential to have in-depth information about the place you are about to visit. However, in case an unfortunate event does take place, most travelers advice not to panic. The first thing you need to do after such an incident is to report to the police immediately. Secondly, try not to spoil your mood and get worked up over the mishap. 

  • LANGUAGE BARRIER:

It is normal to feel frustrated when you cannot explain to another individual that you need a bottle of water. But traveling is all about unique experiences and learning to cope with them. The language barrier is a usual challenge when traveling to foreign lands. However, one thing that you can do is carry a learning book of essential phrases that will make communication easy for you. 

  • KNOW THE BASIC TRAVEL SCAMS:

Cheating and deceit have become an unpleasant part of our world today. Wherever you go, there is always someone on the lookout to fool you out of your money. Travel scams are also prevalent; however, some are too unique or subtle to understand. Therefore, you must keep a check on all the travel scams you may encounter on your trip. 

Use Google to do your research before you start your journey. Also, it would help if you reminded yourself not to trust every individual easily. Keep your eyes open for any suspicious activity, and trust your instincts. 

  • TRY GELLING IN:

Dressing up as a foreigner will highlight you as a tourist and a potential target for thieves and muggers. Study the culture and the values of the land you are visiting and incorporate it into your behavior and dressing until you stay there. 

CONCLUSION:

Travelling offers fantastic opportunities to explore and learn. It gives you a chance to meet new people and experience unique encounters. However, it also poses a few challenges. The smartest way of planning a journey is to be well-aware of the challenges and have plans to overcome these challenges smoothly. Our list of the seven most common traveling challenges and how to cope with them will help you have an enjoyable and stress-free trip.

Happy vacations!