The recent pandemic caused by the onset of the Covid-19 has changed our society significantly. From the millions laid off of their jobs to the decrease in social interactions between people, everything has been affected by the pandemic.

However, one of the least talked about changes that have occurred due to this pandemic is its effect on the global travel market.

Tourism as an industry has been crippled by the Covid-19 pandemic and, although it is slowly recovering, the effects have been disastrous. Statista covers and estimates how at the beginning of 2020 that the global tourism market would be sitting at $711.944 billion. Recently, it’s revalued at only $396.370 billion, which is about a 50 percent cut. Clearly, Covid-19 had been detrimental to this industry, but how is it changing the future of global travel?

Overlooked Destinations

Numerous locations around the world receive little to no attention. And, they are not known as hotspots for tourism.

With Covid-19 raging across the world, some people have taken vacations but would prefer to not be around anybody and risk catching the virus.

Due to this, some have begun to pick relatively remote travel destinations that provide them with gorgeous scenery and relatively few people. The World Economic Forum recently covered how smaller countries like New Zealand have begun to encourage tourism in recent years due to the stimulation it manages to bring to the economy.

These overlooked locations are starting to get the attention they deserve, ironically, due to the global pandemic. The travel industry as a whole may be hurting, but smaller countries may actually be doing better comparatively.

Read: Can I Travel to (Insert Country)?

More Attention on the Effect of Spending

Most of the time, tourists take their spending’s effect on the economy of the country they visit for granted. After seeing the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on small businesses, however, it has become clear that even marginal spending can help keep local businesses afloat. More than 60 percent of business closures that occurred during the pandemic are even expected to remain permanent according to CNN.

This has been a wake-up call for many travelers who previously believed that small businesses did not rely on income earned from tourists. Even in your own town, it’s likely that small businesses have gone out of business without your local neighbors buying products. Just imagine that scale but in a country where tourism is a major factor within their economy. Supporting small businesses should be in the mind of any socially-conscious traveler. Next time you hit the road remember: where you spend your money matters.

Fewer International Moves Stimulated by Education

A downside of the Covid-19 pandemic has been the restriction of education to international students. Student visas have seen restrictions placed on them as countries closed their borders and restricted flights. Fortunately, trade schools have been a rising trend in the last few years and some, such as the General Assembly, have helped make education accessible to all by offering international programs. 

With study abroad being restricted, it’s more likely than not that the number of online degree programs available will increase. If students are not going overseas to study permanently or for study abroad, though, some worry that this lack of exposure may lead to even less travel in the future. Overcoming this means introducing young adults to the wonders of the world in some other fashion. Historically, college and university present two great opportunities to see the world through study abroad, but students will have to learn about the world in other ways now.

Covid-19 is changing everything about how the world operates and nothing will ever be the same. These changes are hard to predict, but predicting them is extremely important to see what the world will look like after the pandemic settles down. The global travel industry is changing in new and unforeseen ways. With any luck, people will begin to gain an understanding of the importance of tourism and how it can stimulate local economies.

Bio: Trevor Mahoney is an avid writer with experience ranging from education to technology. He is currently wrapping up his studies at Santa Clara University with a BSc in Finance.

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Renting a vehicle is common in many countries where traveling by land is prevalent. It’s a service that exists to cater to people who don’t have a car that can travel long distances or people who don’t own one but can drive. It’s also a much better option for those who find public transport unreliable or challenging.

Throughout the existence of vehicle rentals, there have been numerous issues and problems that both the customers and the rental companies have faced. It ranges from people not returning the car to badly damaging it due to accidents. Those are the worse case scenarios, but you can have those issues addressed during the rental process.

Minor issues like lack of fuel upon return or extra charges can be prevented with communication. While signing the rental agreement or before you receive the keys, know what you need to do before, during, and after the rental period. Here are the essential questions to ask when renting a vehicle for a road trip.

What are the available insurance coverages?

Since the topic of accidents was mentioned, you’ve got to know about the rental company’s insurance coverage. The insurance differs on the kind of vehicle they offer for rent. When you rent a bus, the scope for renting a car is different from renting a car, but the important thing is to know if the vehicle is insured.

There are two types of car rental insurance, which are the most common: Basic rental and full coverage. The basic car rental insurance is offered by most rental services, which protects you from accidents and theft. Full coverage usually includes the basic coverages with total renter exemption and third-party protection, which means when you pay more for insurance, there’s no need to pay for any problems that happen to the rental vehicle.

Other insurances that a rental company can offer are the Collision Damage Waiver, Theft Waiver, and Third Party Liability. (CDW, TW, & TPL).

How much is the total cost of the rental?

Many customers have been surprised because of seeing charges they didn’t think would be there for a vehicle rental. This is why asking the rental agent about the total cost of the rental is important. Don’t get caught off-guard by other charges that you didn’t see or know.

When renting any vehicle, always ask the rental agent for a car quote that includes all the fees, taxes, and upcharges. There are car quotes that don’t have the other mentioned expenses, which causes a customer’s shock. Also, add in the insurance quote so you can pay for them together with the rental costs.

Do you have a mileage limit for this car?

Often, there are rental companies that impose a mileage limit on their vehicles. A mileage limit means you’re only allowed to drive the car you rented for an allotted amount of miles. Ask about a mileage limit, and if there is one, be sure to keep track of it because you’ll have to pay an additional fee if you go over it.

Usually, cars rented at a weekly rate have unlimited mileage. But if you don’t need to rent for that long, then clarify if there’s a mileage limit to your rental agent.

What fuel does the car take?

Various car engines need the right fuel because putting in a different one can damage it. The common ones take diesel and petrol, which are two completely different engines. Putting diesel on a petrol engine and vice-versa may cause mess the engine up, where you would have to take it to the mechanic to have it drained and cleaned up or have the entire fuel injection system replaced.

The worst part is some rental car insurance doesn’t cover those kinds of damages. That leaves you to shoulder the bill yourself. Before you take the keys for the car, ask the company what fuel does its engine take.

If you ask this, they’d usually point out a sticker they placed on the car, which indicates the fuel it uses. It may be on the dashboard near the fuel gauge or inside the fuel cap cover. Sometimes, they stick it on the car key itself so drivers can see it when you’re pumping gas at a station.

In case you forget to ask about it, those are where you can find what fuel the engine of your rental car takes. Aside from those, you can also know it by checking if the fuel pump fits the fuel neck. Diesel pump nozzles are thicker than their petrol counterparts; however, thinner petrol pump nozzles can easily fit in a diesel car. So if you’re not sure, it’s better to contact your rental agent to avoid damaging the engine.

What is the return process?

Returning a rental vehicle is typically the easy part, but just so the rental service and you are on the same page, ask how they usually go with it. Ask them if there’s anything else you need to do before returning the rental car, like do you have to fill up its gas tank? Also, verify the time of return so you can make it in time to avoid possible penalties.

If you are running late, make sure that you notify the agent. Sometimes, the rental office won’t have anyone to attend to you, particularly at the late hours of the night. Ask them how and where to return the vehicle and where you’ll place the keys after parking it.

Don’t be afraid to ask the rental agent these questions because it’s for both party’s sake. You need to know the answer to these queries to avoid any issues before your road trip. Inquire about these things to have a worry-free travel experience.

 Author’s Bio:

Rosette Monell is a freelance writer who loves to travel and go on road trips. Setting off the road for over five years now, she’s developed a habit of looking for the best transportation services to give her a one-of-a-kind experience on the road. Today, it has become her hobby to read and write about transportation comfortability, safety, and luxury. 

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Hold up! Before you read the post, I have something to share!

In November, Self-Care Awareness Week (November 16-22) just ended, but we celebrated the week supporting the idea of self-care across communities, families, and generations. And, with the holiday season beginning, I wanted to highlight four specific ways to support yourself, community, and families with self-care activities. Obviously, with a travel twist.

In our last week of November, our focus is on “Finding Remote Work”. Many of you have worked remotely this year due to COVID-19 and have fallen in love with the flexibility and comfort of working from anywhere (WFA). But, will your employer make it permanent? In case you want to work from anywhere in the world, here’s Artur Meyster of Career Karma with some helpful advice.

Remote work has become the new standard in 2020, and employers are on the hunt for candidates with the skills to work independently. Many recently unemployed people have decided to take online courses to get skilled. However, others may not be sure of how to add value to their skills. Remote work has been proven to increase companies’ productivity and employees’ job satisfaction, and companies are doing what they can to catch the attention of qualified job-seekers.

Becoming a remote worker will not only allow you to achieve a better work-life balance but will also help prepare you for future work challenges. If you want to gain skills that will help you find remote work, these tech skills are a great place to start. They will be a huge boost to your resume, and companies will make exceptional offers to candidates with these skills.

Remote Work – Amazon Web Services

Amazon is among the leading companies in the cloud computing industry. They have reshaped the way organizations keep their data safe and access it. Cloud computing is an emerging technology that’s helping businesses take big strides. AWS helps companies reduce costs in terms of workspace rent as physical databases are not required. It also provides companies with new ways to analyze and interpret data efficiently.

For data scientists and database administrators, learning AWS is a must. With machine learning algorithms, data scientists can create better insights to lead companies to success. Database administrators are responsible for creating backup and recovery plans to help keep data secure. Consequently, learning AWS makes their job easier as they can store information in the cloud and rest assured that they will not lose important files.

If you want to learn AWS, Coding Dojo is one coding school that offers part-time courses that students can take from home. The company is committed to its students’ success and allows them to become self-sufficient developers in only four months.

At Coding Dojo, you’ll receive real-time support from instructors throughout each course. And after learning programming skills like CCS, Git, HTML, and AWS, standing out from the competition will be easier.

Remote Option – JavaScript

Due to Covid-19, customers’ demands are higher than ever, and people are more concerned about the experience they receive while using an app. Given that, the demand for developers with JavaScript skills, which are used to develop apps, have increased. earning JavaScript will allow you to work from anywhere, and it’s a great tool for building dynamic websites. It can be used for front end and back end development. 

In 2020, a JavaScript developer can earn an average of $117,000 per year according to Indeed. Companies like Paypal are also offering other perks, like on-site education and life insurance. 

Enrolling in a vocational school like Thinkful is also a great way to learn new skills. The institution even provides students with a career support team to help them launch their new tech career. At Thinkful, students can meet experts in the field and learn from the best.

Thinkful also financing options for those who struggle to pay upfront, such as ISA or loan financing. That way, you’ll stay focused on learning instead of finances.

Digital Marketing & Working Remotely

The digital transition has reshaped the marketing industry. Companies are now leaning on digital marketers to improve their strategies. Digital marketers are responsible for using digital channels to reach potential customers. Becoming a digital marketer requires creativity and a love of customer service. Marketers often use social networks like Instagram to provide personalized services and increase customer satisfaction. On the other hand, digital marketers also have to learn SEM and SEO skills to increase a company’s brand recognition. Digital marketers can earn up to $111,000 per year in the US, according to Glassdoor. 

BrainStation is a vocational school where students can learn digital marketing skills in 12 weeks. They’ll develop SEM, marketing analytics, content marketing, and email marketing skills that are essential to landing a marketing job. By learning the latest digital marketing techniques, students will be ready to help any company create exceptional campaigns and innovate the market.

The increasing demand for remote workers and tech professionals has led to more remote working opportunities. Learning new tech skills will make you an attractive candidate while applying for jobs. By building your skills to work from anywhere, you can get a job with the flexibility to maintain a better work-life balance.

Worried about COVID-19? Then check out where you can travel AND work in the global restrictions guide.

Bio: Artur Meyster is the CTO of Career Karma (YC W19), an online marketplace that matches career switchers with coding bootcamps. He is also the host of the Breaking Into Startups podcast, which features people with non-traditional backgrounds who broke into tech.
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Travel became my very own and personal teacher. It taught me about life outside the classroom and the US. And, it depicted a world beyond my comfort zone. On my very first international trip, I was arrogant about my view of the world and my hometown. I proclaimed Miami as the “center of the world!” And no one could’ve told me differently. Ms. Travel, however, in all her life lessons and unsuspecting ways, brought about her first lesson: humility.

On the second day of my trip, I got lost in Madrid. In the US, I would’ve been able to look up the directions, phone a friend, or ask a friendly stranger about where to go. This time I was in a foreign territory with basic language skills to communicate with anyone. And, of course, WiFi wasn’t much of a thing in 2009. So I panicked. Several minutes had gone by. People rushed by me to work, home, or wherever. Cars sped in and out of lanes through the city to get to where they were going. I, lost in a new city, didn’t know where to go. On the verge of tears, I cursed myself for coming to Madrid and wished to return home immediately. But, that wasn’t possible since I was a college student on a tight budget. So, I stayed. Reluctantly. Travel taught me another lesson: perseverance.

If I had at least $1,000 in my bank account, I would’ve been on a return flight home. But Ms. Travel didn’t see it that way. I wallowed in pity for a moment and then transformed to problem solving mode. It was this very moment that changed my destiny. It is the reason for my career path into international education. It became my purpose to educate and advocate for students of color to study abroad. Getting lost became my testimony from close-mindedness to global citizen. I can’t shake the thought that one decision would’ve changed my entire life.

And, as I celebrate eleven years of my travel journey, I’m thankful for the ups and downs and life lessons. I wouldn’t be the woman today writing these words if not for the course that I had taken. I want to extend my gratitude to YOU for following me and serving as part of the Travepreneur community.

Here’s to many more years to come!

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