These travel tips + celebrity throwback snaps will inspire you to plan your first new normal getaway
It's no secret that the tourism industry and the local economy has been badly impacted by the pandemic, with travel restrictions being imposed for the past two years.
In an attempt to address the high demand for revenge travel, the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) will be holding the 29th Travel Tour expo this coming June 24-26, 2022.
Now that travel is back in full swing, everyone is excited to revisit their favorite destinations. Local flights are now more accessible, and many Pinoys are looking forward to traveling to beautiful places around the country like Palawan, Boracay, Cebu, and Siargao.
According to Yahoo! News, in a survey conducted by Air Asia Philippines in December 2021, Filipino travelers most want to travel to Seoul, South Korea (78%), Singapore (73%), and Osaka, Japan (71%) as soon as international border restrictions ease up, as well.
More than 140 countries are now open to Filipinos, so travelers may have a hard time deciding which destination they should travel to first.
To help you out, PhilSTAR L!fe has rounded up some pratical travel tips along with throwback travel snaps from celebrities to spark your wanderlust.
1. Consider your interests
Don't just travel for the sake of traveling. When choosing your destination, you should at least be interested in the country’s culture. If you love watching anime and Japanese food, you should definitely go to Tokyo or Osaka for your first post-pandemic international trip. However, if you like Greek Mythology, art, and architecture, you might want to save up for a European destination like Italy.
2. Assess how much time you have to spare
To avoid cramming too many activities in your travel itinerary, decide how long you want to stay in your desired destination. Make sure that you focus on a place that fits within your time frame so won’t rush yourself, and you can have a more enjoyable trip.
3. Consider your travel buddies
If you’re not traveling solo, try to consider your travel buddies as well. Will they also enjoy going to your desired destination? Find common interests and activities to do in the destination, so that everyone enjoys the trip.
4. Allocate a proper budget
Make sure that you travel to a destination where you can spend comfortably and won't exceed your vacation budget. The cost of living in destinations like Europe and Australia, for example, are known for being more expensive than neighboring destinations in Southeast Asia. Save up enough funds for your flight, hotel, food, and other expenses and keep track of your budget to avoid overspending.
5. Watch travel vlogs
Take the time to explore YouTube and watch travel vlogs to get the best tips. You can get ideas and find specific places that you want to potentially visit and see their pros and cons through travel videos. Vloggers also suggest hidden gems that you might want to visit.