The Pandemic Covid 19 decimated 2020, but we can start planning for a future when the world opens up again.
Here is my take on how the future might look.
We are sure living through exceptional times.
Many of us are still confined at home somewhere in the world, unable to go to our local park let alone dream of travel. We are all wondering what the future holds, and how the world will be changed when we get through this and come out the other side. Many have died, many more have lost their jobs and the ability to feed their loved ones. It is a catastrophe on so many levels.
What is the future for “Outside the Square travel adventures,” OTS?
OTS is just me, Richard, working from home, organizing trips for our community with a break-even (at the end of each year) philosophy.
OTS is not a normal business, no employees, no office rent, no travel agent commissions, no middle men, and extremely low fixed costs, which mean OTS can survive this, and will be able to keep offering you exceptional value adventures into the future.
Any deposits paid on this years postponed trips, remain in a trust account, ready for our future adventures together when the world reopens.
Jan - May 2021 scheduled departures on the website.
I am optimistic these trips will be able to go ahead as planned. By November this year we should have a much clearer idea of what is happening, and make the call for the Jan-May trips, letting everyone who has registered for the trips know individually.
May 2021 onward I am confident these trips will go ahead as planned.
There are some amazing trips in the latter half of 2021, Bhutan and Nepal, Cambodia and Laos, and Best of Laos and Northern Thailand,
2021 is all about Luang Prabang (Laos) This UNESCO treasure is truly delightful, and 2 of the trips this year are timed to be there during the "Festival of the fire boat" (which we went to in 2019 and it was amazing). This year is probably the last chance to see this wonderful city as it is, before China's "belt and road" fast rail, turns it into a Disneyland. Believe me when I say, try and see it this year.
"Have your say" on which "Dream adventures" you would like me to run next.
Register interest for as many trips as you like the sound of participating in over the next few years (Your bucket list). When there is enough interest (6 people plus), I will schedule a departure date for the next "Best" season and invite those who have expressed interest first, giving them priority before opening the trip up to everyone else.
This is your chance to create a future “wish list.” No obligation, no deposit, no risk, just your dream list.
What will international travel look like when things start to open again? I can only make an educated guess here, but here are some of my thoughts.
So yes the future is bright, there will be a new normal, and nothing will be as before, but there will be less crowds, locals will be delighted even more than before to see us. The environment will get some breathing space, mass package tourism will be gone for a few years, and the adventurous will get to enjoy unique experiences.
All OTS trips represent high value, as so much more of the participation fee goes into the accommodation and inclusions than commercial companies are able to do. I have dispensed with the real budget options over the years as, our demographic 40s+ like a certain level of comfort. Accommodation is always comfortable with the only exception of our Nepal mountain hiking where we use the local tea houses.
Please take a moment (2 min) to fill out this quick survey to help me with planning.
"We travel not to escape life but to live it"
"See you soon on the beaches of the world"
Richard
Here is my take on how the future might look.
We are sure living through exceptional times.
Many of us are still confined at home somewhere in the world, unable to go to our local park let alone dream of travel. We are all wondering what the future holds, and how the world will be changed when we get through this and come out the other side. Many have died, many more have lost their jobs and the ability to feed their loved ones. It is a catastrophe on so many levels.
What is the future for “Outside the Square travel adventures,” OTS?
OTS is just me, Richard, working from home, organizing trips for our community with a break-even (at the end of each year) philosophy.
OTS is not a normal business, no employees, no office rent, no travel agent commissions, no middle men, and extremely low fixed costs, which mean OTS can survive this, and will be able to keep offering you exceptional value adventures into the future.
Any deposits paid on this years postponed trips, remain in a trust account, ready for our future adventures together when the world reopens.
Jan - May 2021 scheduled departures on the website.
I am optimistic these trips will be able to go ahead as planned. By November this year we should have a much clearer idea of what is happening, and make the call for the Jan-May trips, letting everyone who has registered for the trips know individually.
May 2021 onward I am confident these trips will go ahead as planned.
There are some amazing trips in the latter half of 2021, Bhutan and Nepal, Cambodia and Laos, and Best of Laos and Northern Thailand,
2021 is all about Luang Prabang (Laos) This UNESCO treasure is truly delightful, and 2 of the trips this year are timed to be there during the "Festival of the fire boat" (which we went to in 2019 and it was amazing). This year is probably the last chance to see this wonderful city as it is, before China's "belt and road" fast rail, turns it into a Disneyland. Believe me when I say, try and see it this year.
"Have your say" on which "Dream adventures" you would like me to run next.
Register interest for as many trips as you like the sound of participating in over the next few years (Your bucket list). When there is enough interest (6 people plus), I will schedule a departure date for the next "Best" season and invite those who have expressed interest first, giving them priority before opening the trip up to everyone else.
This is your chance to create a future “wish list.” No obligation, no deposit, no risk, just your dream list.
What will international travel look like when things start to open again? I can only make an educated guess here, but here are some of my thoughts.
- There will be fewer airlines, operating more limited routes, and at less frequency. Fares are likely to be higher and trips with connections will take longer.
- Travel insurance will be rewritten to include the new world with Covid 19.
- Temperature checks and some form of fast testing will be introduced at airports.
- Travel trends will change, with less frequent, entertainment style, business. and short city trips.
- International trips will become more experience and cultural focused, with people choosing one destination to see well, rather than cramming in 2-3 countries and multiple sites into one trip.
- People will, for a while, avoid large group gatherings, like tour buses and cruise ships, choosing instead the security of small private groups like OTS.
- For a while people will be afraid to purchase airfares a long way in advance as was common before, unless airlines waver change fees (This is fortunately already starting)
So yes the future is bright, there will be a new normal, and nothing will be as before, but there will be less crowds, locals will be delighted even more than before to see us. The environment will get some breathing space, mass package tourism will be gone for a few years, and the adventurous will get to enjoy unique experiences.
All OTS trips represent high value, as so much more of the participation fee goes into the accommodation and inclusions than commercial companies are able to do. I have dispensed with the real budget options over the years as, our demographic 40s+ like a certain level of comfort. Accommodation is always comfortable with the only exception of our Nepal mountain hiking where we use the local tea houses.
Please take a moment (2 min) to fill out this quick survey to help me with planning.
"We travel not to escape life but to live it"
"See you soon on the beaches of the world"
Richard
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