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.

@MaxNormal

Can’t people consider others before themselves?

No, they've had a year already.

Fortunately it was agreed after a year of the second world war that everyone should go on holiday as was their entitlement.

Ooh, a war comparison! Not seem one of those for at least a day.

But we're not at war. Theres a virus that isn't deadly to most people. The people who are high risk have been vaccinated against it. We've got over half the adults at least partially vaccinated against it.

We went abroad in august & September last year and will do this year. Life is too short to not enjoy it because of risk.

This is honestly the mindset that meant the UK government got away with stricter rationing after WW2 because we needed to "rebuild" our economy, they wanted to export more of our goods, so banned British people from buying them, restricted imports, and this was just accepted even though the war was over.

Until recently, it seemed bonkers to me that the majority of the UK just accepted the war time restrictions after the war not just carrying on but being worse. But reading threads on here makes me realise that if the government wanted to keep up restrictions about eg. who you can have in your own home, how many people can gather in a group (protest, political meetings, religious groups, education etc), many on here will continue to believe its ok even when the immediate threat to make it necessary has long gone.

Life will never be safe. Ever. You will die of something.

The sense of entitlement on this post is saddening and shows just how many selfish people there are on here.

"I'm going on holiday abroad no matter what and no-one can stop me"

"Me, me, me" , "I want, I want"

"Surely there is something seriously wrong with you and your life because you don't have 10 overseas holidays booked at the moment"

@Keepyourdistance000

The sense of entitlement on this post is saddening and shows just how many selfish people there are on here.

"I'm going on holiday abroad no matter what and no-one can stop me"

"Me, me, me" , "I want, I want"

"Surely there is something seriously wrong with you and your life because you don't have 10 overseas holidays booked at the moment"

Full house on the ' holiday post bingo' ....selfish.....entitlement... yada yada yada 🙄

@Keepyourdistance000 - seems to me, your post is all about you and what you want (for nobody to go overseas).

@AlecTrevelyan006

Can’t people consider others before themselves?

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

I find this discussion, that's been going on for a year, quite bizarre.

Isn't it normally assumed that people will put themselves, and their families, before strangers?

But human nature is meant to be overturned now becoz Covid?

Most people have in fact been remarkably compliant this past year and many have given up an awful lot 'for the greater good'. If it is permitted to travel at some point this summer, why on earth should they not do so because someone on MN invented a 'rule'?

because my husband was diagnosed with a brain tumour and we thought we’d never get the chance to go on a holiday abroad again.

I've watched the news this morning and, sadly, it seems that the virus is out of control in many parts of the world. I've been vaccinated, as has my DH, but DC have not. I'm not worried about my risk of catching Covid because I have a modicum of protection, but I am worried about tourists from the rest of the world who haven't.

We've had a shit year, along with so many countless others, but we won't be going abroad until next year. And yes, I do miss it and yes, we have had many things cancelled (including foreign travel).

@Ohcomeonitsrubbish

I've watched the news this morning and, sadly, it seems that the virus is out of control in many parts of the world. I've been vaccinated, as has my DH, but DC have not. I'm not worried about my risk of catching Covid because I have a modicum of protection, but I am worried about tourists from the rest of the world who haven't.

We've had a shit year, along with so many countless others, but we won't be going abroad until next year. And yes, I do miss it and yes, we have had many things cancelled (including foreign travel).

I agree. Everyone has had a shit year. I'm sure almost all of us miss travel. But for me just wanting to fo something doesn't mean I should do it. I missed loads of stuff this year which I could have maybe done when riles allowed or broken rules to do it. But I didn't I'm a week and a bit into my second vaccine. I'm 35, I've managed to avoid covid so far. I don't want to end up with a strain my vaccine didn't protect me against because of a holiday abroad. My partner also isn't vaccinated so that's a risk for travel.

The reality is that if people are allowed to go, they will, and if we we're not then we're not.

Because me and my OH have been at work all through COVID, we are knackered, and I want to lie in the sun and think about nothing. That's why

I'm not going abroad this year however I've come to the conclusion that we should stop blaming individuals for things like this.

It's entirely within the Govts power to close the borders for travel.

The Govt have presumably weighed up health risks and economic risks and decided on a strategy.

I may agree with it, I may not.

But I don't think individuals who are acting completely within the law should be castigated and blamed.

If there's an issue with the way it's being handled - that issue should be with the Govt.

I love to travel, and would love to go abroad this summer. I have a trip planned in July (flights which have been moved twice due to Covid). If it's permitted to go I will go. If it isn't I won't and I will stay at home.

It's not about what self-appointed police of other's behaviour think I should do.

@wheresmymojo

I'm not going abroad this year however I've come to the conclusion that we should stop blaming individuals for things like this.

It's entirely within the Govts power to close the borders for travel.

The Govt have presumably weighed up health risks and economic risks and decided on a strategy.

I may agree with it, I may not.

But I don't think individuals who are acting completely within the law should be castigated and blamed.

If there's an issue with the way it's being handled - that issue should be with the Govt.

Couldn't agree more. But there are so many people who know more than all the Government's advisors put together and therefore are qualified to call people selfish and irresponsible. Like those who think we shouldn't be sitting outside at socially distanced bars and restaurants, God forbid you're irresponsible enough to go shopping. I know someone who is still complaining about how many people are out walking past her house! Of course there is a risk associated with travel but for most people it is minimal, those not wanting to take their own level at risk can stay at home. I won't be going abroad any time soon as I can't risk being quarantined but wouldn't judge anyone who does go.

India isn’t on the red list.

I am vaccinated (my host country is on about 20–% of population) and want to come to the uk to see my family, meet new baby members and run a half marathon for charity. But my country may be orange list making it unaffordable because they don’t need to make a post-Brexit trade deal? The only variant on a rampage here, at 90% of the cases, is the one which started in Kent.

Keepyourdistance: "The sense of entitlement on this post is saddening and shows just how many selfish people there are on here.*"
*
By sense of entitlement I assume you mean people booking holidays with a view to complying with the law on travel and in the process contribute to the decimated travel industry?

Your judgment of others is breathtaking, as is your bitterness.

I doubt I’ll be going abroad this year, but fingers crossed things will be better by 2022. If they are then I’ll be off! I love going abroad on holidays. Visiting new places, getting some sun, relaxing, making memories and spending quality time together with my family. Without worrying about work and the daily drudgery that is life- cleaning, cooking, bills, routines, school etc. I’d rather save my money and not bother with a staycation. My children like to be out and about doing things or by the pool/beach, I’ve had UK holidays and if the weather is awful (which it has been) it changes everything. Not taking that risk again! Life is too short so yeah, as soon as it’s safe to, I’ll be going abroad.

@MaxNormal

The reality is that if people are allowed to go, they will, and if we we're not then we're not.

Exactly!

Something people critical of foreign hols might remember.

Its not selfish, entitled or me me me! to do something that is encouraged and completely legal.

I've put my life at risk for over a year treating selfish people who haven't stuck to the restrictions

And yet when Benefit beauticians adopted a similar attitude towards NHS staff there was uproar.

Because when ppl are happy to equate illness to moral failing by blaming people for catching a virus (whether the people who caught it or have been exposed to it are NHS staff or not) this is the inevitable result.
Its almost as if these attitudes have consequences isnt it?!

The same attitudes were shown to those who caught HIV in the 80s. Sickening that nothing has changed.

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/covid-variant-travel-restrictions-sturgeon-b1833342.html

She can want the moon on a stick, she doesn't rule the UK, she cannot close the borders entirely as, as much as she doesn't like it, borders in the UK are not fully devolved and she's delusional.

Her quarantine system means nearly NONE of hte airlines are flying into Scotland at all. Instead they're all diverting customers to England, where her little hotel scheme to make money falls flat because people travelling through England who then go to Scotland are allowed to quarantine at home, same as last year. And that's even more trade lost to the Scottish economy, which is on its knees and living on handouts from Westminster.

There is zero way Boris is stupid enough to go along with such a system.

It's quite shit. You'd be pretty selfish to travel if vaccinated to a country without a robust vaccination programme, you'd be selfish and stupid to travel unvaccinated and if you want to go anywhere in the UK then the locals don't want you there. Actual staycation staring at the walls again for me!