Why do people want to go on holidays abroad this summer? (Not travel to family)

[WombatChocolate]

Given we have put in huge efforts to reduce the virus in this country over many months, I struggle why people (not the holiday industry) are so keen to whizz off for a couple of weeks of sun, when we know the virus is surging in parts of the world.

What is this about?

The only thing I can think of which makes any sense to me is that they have already booked, or had a booking carried forward from last year and fear losing the money. Somehow they would rather go than sacrifice the money and that has led to large numbers wanting to go.

We all know that mutants will come into the country through travel and it’s impossible to keep them out, so why do people want to go so much?

Is it that they just love a sunny holiday so much they don’t think about the possible consequences? Is it that they do t want to lose the money? Is it that they are jabbed and so don’t believe their travel can have any consequences? Is it that they don’t know about levels of virus around the world? Or is it that because the holiday industry wants to open up (very understandably) they have been influenced by them?

I really understand people who have family abroad, how difficult the travel issue is for them and I do understand why they want to go and often feel they must go. I’m not asking about that. It’s just the standard holiday I’m interested in, because I don’t really get it.

Anyone who has thoughts about it, or is keen to go and feels like saying why.....many thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Good luck if you've booked to go to France, Italy or India.

Because it's a normal thing to do, and a lot of normal things have been taken away this year.

People need a break from the doom and gloom, their jobs, their frustrated kids and actually want to enjoy themselves.

Life must go back to normal, we can not live like this forever. There will always be risk, we have to live with it not hide from it.

@WhiskeryWoman

I can’t bloody wait to get away this year, abroad. We managed it last year, I see no reason why we won’t/ can’t this year. I love to travel and I love good weather. I cycle, wild swim and take my holidays in a motorhome - wild camping. The attitude towards cyclists, wild swimming (unless in the sea) and wild camping in little England is generally appalling. Rules, regulations, attitudes and infrastructure for cyclists, swimming and motorhomes in France, Spain and Germany are incredible.

Completely agree, Europe is way ahead on all the things you mention plus a load others too.

Whether hols will start again this year or even next is another matter.

Lots can change in a few months. This time last year cases were peaking. 3 months later (with no vaccines) I was on a plane.

@MrsHastingslikethebattle

Because it's a normal thing to do, and a lot of normal things have been taken away this year.

People need a break from the doom and gloom, their jobs, their frustrated kids and actually want to enjoy themselves.

Life must go back to normal, we can not live like this forever. There will always be risk, we have to live with it not hide from it.

Completely agree.

I don't even go abroad myself for the simple reason that I am too afraid to fly. If I could fly, I would be out of here on the first plane asap.

LucilleTheVampireBat

You don’t need to fly to go abroad. You can take a boat or train

Because people need to get on with their lives and can't just stay locked up forever. We can't live our lives by what ifs indefinitely. There are many diseases which might come our way, we can't just put things on hold indefinitely just in case. If the numbers are equal to how many die of flu every year, we don't lock down for that so why should we for this? I am not prepared to put my life on hold any longer- how long are we going to say variants might turn up so no travel- will we still be worrying in 2025! I can't live my life like that. I am not scared of covid and will do the sensible thing of quarantining once back if required so not change of bringing a variant back.

The tourist industry is on its knees and needs people to travel.

Before Covid, we took too much for granted, for too long.

OP, why would you care if everyone vulnerable has been vaccinated?
Are you really content to live your life in fear forever?
You know this is never going away don't you?

@Keepyourdistance000

Good luck if you've booked to go to France, Italy or India.

As I have said twice on here already (sorry for the repeat) my holiday to Sorrento was unable to go ahead and I had to change it this week. I was due to go in the middle of August.

@Keepyourdistance000

Before Covid, we took too much for granted, for too long.

Why do you think this?

The CDC regularly publish a list of Covid 19 recommended travel destinations.
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/map-and-travel-notices.html
If you select your destination you can get additional information i.e. whether it's a destination that is recommended if you are vaccinated.

Because it's been w shit year and I want my kids to swim in the sea and play on the beach.

Because we have worked hard all year and home schooled which I found so hard with a toddler

Because my life does not revolve around covid!!!!

Have a little read again what you have said...

I had 5 holidays cancelled last year, I work hard and save hard because I like to travel. I have 3 holidays rolled forward from last year and fully intend to take them all if possible.

OP your post seems to be saying I'm selfish. I'm not. For what it's worth, I have followed all the advice and restrictions this year, whilst working front line for the NHS. I have no problem with the current restrictions and don't feel lockdown has gone on too long. If its allowed I will be going on 3 abroad holidays and I will also go abroad to see my elderly Dad who is unwell. I do not feel bad about it, and really don't care what enayone else thinks. I've put my life at risk for over a year treating selfish people who haven't stuck to the restrictions and have caught COVID, I need a break, and staying at home won't do that for me.

How on earth do you know how your patients have caught covid?!

I'd say because people with far more medical knowledge and understanding of the risks than those calling people selfish for travelling have evaluated the situation and feel the risks are low enough for foreign travel.

Once I've had my second vaccine I will consider a foreign holiday because the risks to me, and my risks of carrying something back into the county, are minimal.

Holidays are right up there with oxygen reading these threads .
The sense of entitlement is ridiculous.

Because covid mutations will continue to evolve forever.
It is now in our litany of viruses.. Like flu.
If we are all going to stay at home, never travel and be fearful because of a circulating virus... Well then this is live forever. And therefore why vaccinate everyone?
OP.. People still die of the bubonic plague... In the UK... Every Yr... But we don't all cower in our homes for fear we might catch it.
Our lives and those of future generations would become very small and insular without travel, is that what you want for the sake of a number of people possibly catching what is usually a simple flu like illness?
I am booked and will be going abroad.. For guarentees sunshine, to be able to do my hobby, and in the winter for snow and to ski.

Ignorance and selfishness. Just what people were doing last summer and look at the consequences. Moving around country to country is what spread covid. While we may be advancing in the vaccine, not so elsewhere. Why risk it when we’re (people in general) getting so close to getting the vaccines out. Can’t people consider others before themselves?

If something is ‘allowed’ then no one should be criticised for doing it.

Sadly, we all know that even when we don’t have to wear masks anymore there’ll be loads of people berating others for not continuing to wear one. For some people, following the rules, and guidance, will never be enough because they want strict controls to last for everyone until they personally feel safe.

@LongTimeMammaBear

Ignorance and selfishness. Just what people were doing last summer and look at the consequences. Moving around country to country is what spread covid. While we may be advancing in the vaccine, not so elsewhere. Why risk it when we’re (people in general) getting so close to getting the vaccines out. Can’t people consider others before themselves?

But I have had a rubbish year and deserve a holiday and the only place I can go on holiday is abroad because I once had a holiday in Cornwall and it rained a couple of times. That the reason that I have had a rubbish winter is because so many people thought it was a good idea to go abroad last summer when it wasn't sensible is beside the point. That more mutations occur the more virus there is and reducing the spread of those mutations so they don't become widespread is beside the point. I need a holiday because I have had a rubbish year.

@Dozer

How on earth do you know how your patients have caught covid?!

Because they often tell me. "oh, I went to a friend's for dinner, I know I'm not supposed to" or it slips out during a chat that they were seeing family last week and they are all also sick. You'd be amazed what people tell you

Can’t people consider others before themselves?

No, they've had a year already.

Can’t people consider others before themselves?

Only if it’s Covid, obviously... remember folks only nothing else matters but coronavirus...