Despite its many tragic consequences, hopefully the coronavirus pandemic will be over, just like other pandemics before it, and the world will be restored to some level of normality again. In fact, the world was gradually resetting to normal before until recently when a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases in some countries, particularly India, started.
Amid fears of a third wave of the pandemic caused by new coronavirus variants in India, South Africa, Turkey and Brazil, the Federal Government on Monday reintroduced lockdown measures earlier lifted, such as a nationwide curfew from midnight to 4 am, restriction of gatherings at worship centres, and ban on night clubs and other public facilities.
Nevertheless, according to a March 2021 report by CNBC, millions of people who had in 2020 cooped up due to the pandemic were finally thinking of vacationing this year as more people were getting vaccinated and efforts intensified to stop the spread of the new virus strains.
For instance, in March, travel site Kayak said since the United States government announced that all adults would be eligible for a vaccine by May, searches for summer travel had been up by 27 per cent each week and that airfares for the top 100 most-searched US destinations were up by seven per cent month-over-month.
In Nigeria also, there have been speculations of an increase in air travel as many airline seats are getting sold out and airline tickets are increasing on a daily basis. Thousands of Nigerians are said to be travelling to destinations such as the US and Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.
All these point out to the fact that despite the setbacks the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the tourism sector, the industry will boom again in the near future.
And when it does, people can safely travel to their favourite destinations again, whether it is to international spots such as the Caribbean, Mykonos, Zanzibar, Johannesburg, and Paris, or to local vacation spots such as the Obudu Cattle Ranch, Yankari Games Reserve and Resort, Tinapa Business Resort, or Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort.
Meanwhile, by just casually checking some prices online, it might look like you have to be rich to embark on vacation to your favourite spots, but the truth is that with proper planning, you may be able to afford going there. Below are some tips curated by experts from CNBC, Men’s Journal, and Lifehack to find a getaway that won’t bust your budget.
Choose your destination wisely
Some locations may be more of a deal than others and you may find yourself regretting it if you travel to a place that costs a lot to enjoy. There’s no need to be hard on yourself, just look for affordable destinations. Word of mouth and internet searches are the best ways to find affordable vacation spots. Ever on this list are places with favourable exchange rates such as Mexico, Thailand, Vietnam, Morocco, and Ukraine. There are tons of other places you can visit, so research well before deciding where and when it’s most affordable for you to visit.
Book in advance, save on airfare
Booking in advance is a great way to save money on your travel expenses. What cuts down this figure even more is flying on low-cost carriers. On these flights, the price of the ticket sometimes doesn’t even exceed the tax on the ticket, creating a ridiculously low price for the traveller. This is a great option to save cash, and well worth the few hours of comfort you will be sacrificing for this trip.
Also, sometimes, it’s cheaper to book two one-way airline tickets instead of a round-trip ticket. Do your research properly and determine which option will save you some money.
As a general rule, start planning your trip at least six months ahead of time. Sometimes, it’s best to consult with a travel specialist who can help you with the specifics of destinations, seasons, costs and availability.
Also, you may wish to travel during the low-peak season and avoid travelling during the summer and around holidays such as Christmas.
Sign up for price alerts
If possible, sign up for price alerts on travel websites, which will let you know when the airfare to your destination drops. There are a number of travel search websites where you can set your destination and they will inform you of price alerts daily, weekly or monthly, depending on your choice.
In fact, this method can be used in any situation since data now shows that there is no specific day of the week that is the best one to book your trip.
Find an affordable accommodation
After you’ve chosen your destination, the cost of hotel accommodation may be expensive, but there are plenty of low-cost alternatives to the traditional hotel if you’re willing to try untraditional lodging.
Online rental marketplaces such as Hostels, CouchSurfing and Airbnb are reliable options. They are built entirely on community feedback, so if a house/couch/bed is rated well, that means everyone who has stayed there has had a good experience.
Or you can make a bold move: Make friends with someone on social media and ask to crash on their couch or have them suggest a cheap, safe place to stay. Be careful with this option, though.
Review sites and blog posts are a great option if you can’t find or don’t have someone local to help you out. Google Reviews, HostelWorld and TripAdvisor can also do the trick.
Restaurant bills can quickly add up when you are vacationing. To help cut down on those expenses, you can book a hotel that offers free breakfast or get a place with a kitchen so you can cook some of your own meals.
Even without a kitchen, you can buy a loaf of bread, some nuts and fruit and have breakfast or lunch for a few days. Street food is also an affordable option, as long as you make sure you are ordering from carts that look clean and have a high turnover — which means the food is not sitting there for hours. By eating street food, you will also experience the food of the people and get a real taste of what the country has to offer.
Don’t go around in a rental car
Renting a car wherever you go is likely not going to be cost-effective. Not only that, but you also will have to learn the local driving laws and practices. But that doesn’t mean you should get stuck in your hotel or wherever you lodge to save money.
Of course, it will take some research on your part, but alternatives to the rental car service are buses and trains.
For example, Japan is said to have a high-speed rail system that is for tourists only, while in Europe, the Eurail Global Pass allows you to visit over 30 countries and 15,000 cities on the continent without any hassle of crossing borders. Think of the people you could meet with this option.
Make friends
This might take some travel savviness and familiarity with the language of the country you’re visiting, but if you can make friends with the locals, they will gladly point you to the best and cheaper places and steer you away from places trying to take your money.
Start with the employees at your hostel or resort. They will likely speak some English and can answer any questions you have. From there, see if you can buy them a drink when they’re done with their shift. If you found your place using Airbnb or CouchSurfing, there are many hosts who love showing their guests their local attractions.
And finally, if you can’t make friends with a local, look for fellow travellers who know the area. This is especially easy at a hostel. Without question, always keep your guard up when dealing with anyone you don’t know, regardless of country or language.
Go even farther
When you travel to a country, you’ve already paid a bulk of the expenses on your plane ticket. So why not visit the country’s neighbours while you’re there, visa allowing? True, this will ultimately cost more money in the short term, but it saves you money in the long term.
For example, if you’ve already bought a plane ticket to London, why not visit Ireland, Scotland and France? That’s more expensive than flying just to London and back, in the long run, it’s cheaper. You can make a one big trip instead of multiple smaller trips that cost multiple international plane tickets. And then you will make more memories while you’re at it.
Always bargain for the best deal
Resources like TripAdvisor and Google will likely have tips on the dos and don’ts for the city you’re visiting. But generally, haggling is still widely accepted in many countries. Other than modern stores, malls and shopping centres, street vendors, taxi drivers and small-store owners will be willing to negotiate. Never pay full price for anything if you don’t have to, and don’t be afraid to walk away if they won’t meet your reasonable offer. Of course, always be respectful to the person you’re bargaining with. Remember, you’re in their country, in their home, and saving a few bucks isn’t worth insulting your host culture. Lastly, never negotiate with a credit card. Always use cash. It’s far too easy for vendors to type in $1,000 as opposed to $10 in their computers.
Carry daily essentials along
Depending on the city you’re visiting, buying essentials may add up to your expenses, which is why you should carry those items with you on your trip.
But should you forget some of your daily essentials, hotels generally have a ton of extra toothbrushes, toothpaste, shaving cream, razors, and even phone chargers. Ask if you can have them before you go out and buy them yourself.
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