April 17, 2024, 5:33 pm
Despite the struggle of the past year, the travel industry is looking up, and here at Uncover Colombia, we are looking forward to its comeback with eager anticipation and a fresh perspective. We have further committed ourselves to emphasise meaningful holidays where sustainable and purposeful travel comes together. Our goal is to create trips that allow guests to learn and immerse themselves in the culture of a place while positively contributing to its growth. When we travel, we are pledging to learn more about the people, country and traditions that make it so special. Uncover Colombia's team is working to ensure that these values and goals are upheld to make travelling after Covid-19 an authentic experience that will leave guests with life-long memories.
We ask ourselves how travel will change after the pandemic and what will be its future?
1- travelling for your health
As Saint Augustine once said, ‘the world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.’ We all know that travelling is a great way to broaden your horizons and learn about different cultures. When you meet new people, you become more empathetic to them and to different ways of life. However, over the years, studies have also found that travelling can actually improve your health, such as:
● Travel can decrease stress levels and lower the chance of developing heart conditions.
● Travel can relieve depression and anxiety as well as improve your mental wellbeing.
● When you travel, you are stepping back from an environment that brings you stress and into a completely different setting can do wonders to help ease an anxious mind.
This is particularly the case right now, after a year of living through the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have suffered from their mental health. Lack of social interactions and being locked in have negatively affected the well-being of people. Humans are sociable creatures who thrive on companionship and interconnectedness. This is why travelling is such an important part of our lives.
2- travelling to help local communities
Travelling is not only important for those who travel but also to the tourism industry and those who rely upon holidaymakers to make a living. The travel industry, in general, was severely impacted by the pandemic, in particular the small communities that count on travellers to survive.
These local communities who often operate outside the main tourist attractions and offer travellers a different perspective on a destination have suffered immensely over the course of the year. Not only is tourism their main source of income it is also a way for them to share their knowledge and expertise of a destination as well as their way of living that has been passed down through the years.
Supporting the small, local communities who rely on tourism to grow is such an important aspect of travel and a huge boost to these communities. By helping these small communities we also put a stop to mass and over-tourism while focusing on people who need it.
3- how travelling will look like post covid
A return to travel post-Covid will see some differences and it will be a while until things go back to the way they used to be. People will be looking for more off the beaten path destinations and experiences, away from crowds and where they can continue to practice social distancing measures.
Contrary to popular belief once travel returns, people will not be looking to go on a multitude of different holidays, instead they will be booking one big, bucket list trip to make the most of the time. Quality over quantity. This means that travellers will be looking at spending more time in one destination, getting to grips with a country and discovering its ins and outs.
However, with the return of travel, it is important that we do not fall back on our old habits and keep a mindful outlook at the forefront of our mind. Sustainability and ecotourism have become an even more important topic and is a number one priority for many countries across the world. Some of the changes in the way we travel will include:
● Taking road trips that encourage curiosity and discovering a destination at a slower pace through local communities.
● Using expert travel agents whose wealth of information will be able to curate bespoke itineraries that preserve the eco and sustainable aspect of a trip.
● Choosing mindful travel that leads to richer experiences where visitors will learn about a country’s social and cultural aspects which spearheads a better understanding of a destination.
4- how uncover colombia is part of this change
At Uncover Colombia, sustainability and regenerative tourism are at our core. We work hand in hand with local communities to not only introduce Colombia to travellers but also to contribute and teach them about the importance of preserving the culture and environment for future generations. We take great pride in the work that we do to protect the natural and cultural heritage of Colombia while helping visitors get to the heart of the country.
Colombia offers such rich and diverse wildlife in a wonderfully picturesque setting. The team at Uncover Colombia is made of native Colombianswho instil the passion for their country into their work giving visitors a specialised and one of a kind way to discover the country. From wildlife tours to city tours, museums and cultural immersions there is nothing that we cannot put together to create a dream trip. We also work with non-profits to support the indigenous communities and to help with the conservation of flora and fauna. We wish to lead by example and our Colombian tours are committed to sustainability and education.
We offer tours and experiences such as:
● Horseback riding in Los Llanos - One of the most beautiful places in Colombia, the flora, fauna and landscapes are second to none. Exploring via horseback feeds into the slower pace of travel and is a great way to learn about ranch culture.
● Learn to fish in La Boquilla - Uncover Colombia has partnered with the town and inhabitants of La Boquilla to create a unique experience where visitors will be able to learn about the culture and history of its people. It is a true immersion in their way of life learning local fishing techniques through knowledge that has been passed down through generations.
● Explore coffee plantations- The village of Minca is renowned for its coffee and cacao plantations. Our day trip to the village includes a 7km ecological walk and a visit to the coffee plantations by a local indigenous inhabitant who will be able to share their work and knowledge of the coffee and cacao making process with travellers.
● Visit indigenous communities - The Zenu indigenous community lives in San Andres de Sotavento and are one of the oldest indigenous people in Colombia. Visitors will be able to learn about the history, culture and traditions of this enduring community.
● Cook local food- One hour from Villa de Leyva lives the Gachantiva community. Here visitors will be able to meet the indigenous Gachantiva people and learn how to make almohabana while interacting with local families and learning about valuable traditions.
Each tour and expedition that we put together is tailor-made for the visitor. We take into consideration every aspect of your trip as well as your preferences to create a tailor-made, custom itinerary unique to each traveller.
5- traveling with the safety and security you deserve
We offer full safety on the ground with our tour guides and staff as well as vetted accommodations and restaurants. All of our staff have undergone updated safety measures in compliance with the globally standardised protocols. Adherence to social distancing and face mask-wearing is fundamental. Transport throughout your trip is made with a private vehicle that undergoes daily disinfecting and is kept stocked with wipes and antibacterial gel at all times.
We hope that this will inspire you to pick up your bags and visit Colombia and if you have any questions just get in touch with us and we’ll be happy to answer your questions.
Share with your traveller friends!
