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Original poster

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

515 replies

WombatChocolate · 16/04/2021 13:47

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.

OP posts:
IcedPurple · 19/04/2021 22:22

@WouldBeGood

Long Covid is also self reported with a myriad of symptoms and many people who report them have not tested positive for Covid: also self reported.

So of course there can be post viral effects. But it’s nothing to shut the world down for.

Very true. Also a lot of the symptoms - fatigue, sore throat, headaches - are quite vague and could have any number of underlying causes. The mere fact that you had Covid 4 or 5 weeks ago does not neccessarily mean that your self-reported symptoms are in fact 'long Covid'. There may not be a connection.
Pinchoftums · 19/04/2021 22:31

@Reachersloveinterest

Because our wonderful, regular family holiday in France would cost £1800 for 18 nights for 4 people but a shorty static caravan is £2k for a week in rainy South Wales

Our week in the mumbles in Wales in a cottage is £364 for 5 of us. I would prefer to be in Greece or Mallorca though! (not France as whenever I've been to France it's rained)

Pinchoftums · 19/04/2021 22:33

@WouldBeGood Ive had a post viral illness (ME) for 18 years it's fucking shite has ruined my life and wouldn't wish it on anyone. Please don't play down the potential impact of long covid.

WouldBeGood · 19/04/2021 22:36

@Pinchoftums I’m not playing down post viral illness.

I’m saying you can’t lock down the world for it.

osbertthesyrianhamster · 19/04/2021 22:36

@WouldBeGood

What Matt Hancock thinks about anything is worthless. Have you seen his NHS funded family business?
Nail hitting head!
Tealightsandd · 19/04/2021 22:47

@Pinchoftums the mumbles is a beautiful part of the UK. I hope you enjoy the holiday there.

Matt Hancock aside, the actual experts - doctors - are also concerned. There's been lots written about complications resulting from covid, including the heart damage found in some sufferers (bear in mind many won't have had the chance to have a scan yet).

www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/heart-problems-after-covid19

www.hriuk.org/health/your-health/lifestyle/people-with-coronavirus-are-at-risk-of-blood-clots-and-strokes

However, higher rates of strokes in patients with COVID-19 is somewhat unusual because it also seems to be happening in people under 50 years of age, with no other risk factors for stroke.

WouldBeGood · 19/04/2021 22:52

Fuck. If I have to go on holiday to Wales instead I’ll take my chances with Abroad.

osbertthesyrianhamster · 19/04/2021 23:45

@WouldBeGood

Fuck. If I have to go on holiday to Wales instead I’ll take my chances with Abroad.
God, yes!
Bythemillpond · 20/04/2021 02:06

Dd and I were watching a programme on static caravan holidays.

Out of interest she looked up how much it would cost to stay. By comparison we stayed in the Hollywood Hills in a large 5 bedroom detached house with its own hot tub. Beautiful granite work surfaced kitchen with dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer and open fire for less per night than a static caravan in Cornwall.

In fact we have stayed in private villas in Spain with their own private gym, sauna, hot tub, and swimming pool for significantly less plus the food and restaurants when you go out is less than trapped on a caravan park.

OloBo · 20/04/2021 03:44

I get your point.

We’re just waiting for next year. We don’t get to go on holiday often so when we do, we want to be confident it’s not going to be significantly restricted. It could potentially have a huge impact on our enjoyment of our hard earned holiday.

Bul21ia · 20/04/2021 03:47

Because life is passing me by..... lockdown May stop and start but you can’t get them moments back. Life circumstances play a big part too.

jasjas1973 · 20/04/2021 06:42

@Tealightsandd

No Iced not made up at all. It's been fairly widely reported. Matt Hancock is said to be particularly concerned.
Sorry but his actions over the last 14 months (and his govt's over the last 11 years) indicate otherwise.

As ElleeGC says, other countries have manged CV outbreaks without ending up with a 5 year back log, a back log he is simply not providing the funds to try and reduce.
Aside, it was almost 2 years before Covid came along and getting longer.

He won't be waiting for any elective surgery.

OrinocoGlow · 20/04/2021 12:28

I'd love to go to Europe this summer but haven't booked anything yet. If we're allowed to go, I don't see that it's an irresponsible decision to do so. It's the government's job to decide what is allowed or not, not ours. My worry which stops me from booking is the possibility of things changing at short notice, restrictions in which ever country I go to and the what happens if you test positive before you fly home. I imagine you would not be able to fly home and would have to stay in a hotel room for 5-10 days which would not be pleasant. Even if you're vaccinated, I think but I am not sure that you could still test positive if you had picked up the virus when you were away? If things become clearer, then I'd love to go away this summer.

jgw1 · 20/04/2021 13:44

@OrinocoGlow

I'd love to go to Europe this summer but haven't booked anything yet. If we're allowed to go, I don't see that it's an irresponsible decision to do so. It's the government's job to decide what is allowed or not, not ours. My worry which stops me from booking is the possibility of things changing at short notice, restrictions in which ever country I go to and the what happens if you test positive before you fly home. I imagine you would not be able to fly home and would have to stay in a hotel room for 5-10 days which would not be pleasant. Even if you're vaccinated, I think but I am not sure that you could still test positive if you had picked up the virus when you were away? If things become clearer, then I'd love to go away this summer.
I wish I had your willingness to believe that the government made decisions in each of our best interests rather than in the best interests of their cronies making money.
OrinocoGlow · 20/04/2021 13:51

You're probably right jgw1 about their decisions not always being the best. But if people want to travel with the government's approval, I couldn't judge anyone negatively for doing so even if I choose not to travel myself.

WouldBeGood · 20/04/2021 14:10

I wish I had your willingness to believe that the government made decisions in each of our best interests rather than in the best interests of their cronies making money.

This is exactly what lots of posters on here do seem to believe. It’s weird. Governments now care about power and money. End of.

LondonWFuck · 20/04/2021 14:11

@OrinocoGlow

You're probably right jgw1 about their decisions not always being the best. But if people want to travel with the government's approval, I couldn't judge anyone negatively for doing so even if I choose not to travel myself.
Agree with all of this. If people want to subject themselves as individuals to restrictions not imposed by the government, that's up to them, much as it's up to other folk to act within the bounds of what's legally permitted.
jgw1 · 20/04/2021 14:24

Ah, I see we are not permitted to discuss whether the law is any good, but simply have to be good dobbins and follow it. Fair enough.

EileenGC · 20/04/2021 14:34

@jgw1

Ah, I see we are not permitted to discuss whether the law is any good, but simply have to be good dobbins and follow it. Fair enough.
No one is forcing you to follow it - stay at home if you want to.

I am massively against alcohol and tobacco being legal and I don’t think it’s a good law, but I don’t judge anyone who chooses to drink or smoke in accordance to that law. It’s my choice not to take advantage of legal drugs, but I can’t blame others for doing something that’s perfectly legal.

IcedPurple · 20/04/2021 15:04

@jgw1

Ah, I see we are not permitted to discuss whether the law is any good, but simply have to be good dobbins and follow it. Fair enough.
I don't think anybody was planning on kidnapping you and forcing you to board a plane to the costa, were they?
herethereandeverywhere · 20/04/2021 15:25

Jgw1 but discussing whether a law is 'good' is not the same as lambasting those proposing to follow it.

LondonWFuck · 20/04/2021 15:51

@jgw1

Ah, I see we are not permitted to discuss whether the law is any good, but simply have to be good dobbins and follow it. Fair enough.
Not sure if that's directed at my post, but if so, absolutely nothing in my post indicates any of what's in yours.
BlowDryRat · 20/04/2021 16:14

I haven't RTT but I've got 4 holidays booked over the next year. 2 of those were rebookings from last year. I love going on holiday and feel almost desperate at being trapped here (I'm aware that that sounds ridiculously spoiler and over-dramatic). I have a stressful job, the last year has been awful and I just want to do something that I love. We've all been vaccinated so won't be spreading covid and I refuse to feel guilty for wanting to do something that was completely normal all my life until just 14 months ago.

jgw1 · 20/04/2021 16:30

@eileengc I think the comparison with tobacco is an interesting one. Of course 20 years ago it was completely unreasonable for anyone to suggest that people should not smoke in buildings, because it was perfectly legal to do so.
Indeed one of the main reasons that smoking has been permitted to such an extent for so long is that it made a lot of money for a small number of people who spent a fortune on lobbyists and funding politicians. The similarities with what is driving the current governments decision making is striking.

Xenia · 20/04/2021 16:35

People will have all kinds of reasons. Our holiday last summer was cancelled. I have not been away since June 2019. I hope our holiday abroad in July 2021 goes ahead.