Right now it seems as though we can divide everyone in the world with this one question "Have you been vaccinated?"
For some, the answer is easy. You have your reasons as to why you are or aren't getting vaccinated, but for a good majority of the world's population there is still some indecision.
Now, for those that love to travel and have been missing that part of our lives, there may only be one answer to this question. The reality is that you are going to have to get vaccinated to suffice the entry requirements of a lot of countries around the world in 2022.
As we are starting to get a good hold on the pandemic, mostly through the vast amount of vaccines that are being distributed around the world, many countries have had a glimpse of what life is going to look like post-covid. And with this view, they do not want to go backwards.
Many countries rely heavily on the tourism industry, and are desperately hanging on for the pre-covid tourism visitors to come back. For this to happen, they can not afford to have any further breakouts that would put them on the 'red' list as a destination that can't be travelled to. The simple solution for them is to get their own population vaccinated, and allow only vaccinated visitors to enter. This will tick a lot of boxes, allowing them to operate their tourism sector and bring in many valuable dollars to help prop up their economy.
Is it fair? Probably not. Is it discrimination? Most likely yes.
But the worldwide pressure to get a hold on this virus that has crippled the tourism industry like nothing else we've seen since the tragic events of September 11th 2001, is at an all time high and most economies can not survive another year of these travel restrictions.
We need to get on with life, and for many the enjoyment of life for them is to travel, explore and visit family around the world. If the jab allows us this freedom to do so, then you know what has to be done.
One thing that we do need to remember is that before this pandemic, many countries already had these sort of vaccination entry requirements in place (eg: Yellow fever Vaccination Certificate), so adding the Covid vaccination to this list may just be the reality of free travel between countries.
Sadly the propaganda around getting the jab is high, and in a way, this blog is adding to it, which is putting a lot of people off. No one wants to be told what to do, and when it's being forced down your throat 24/7, for many the natural reaction is to rebel.
But for those of you that love to travel, it may be time to switch your mindset and understand that the reality of travel in the future is that many countries will not allow you to enter without a Covid vaccination and put their people and economy at risk. If you want to enter their country, you have to respect their customs, culture and rules. If a vaccination against a virus that crippled the world for almost 2 years allows us to enter, then that's the least we can do.
Just to be clear, we're not choosing sides and saying that you have to get the jab,
but have a think about where you would like to go on vacation next year and what it would feel like when the customs officer doesn't allow you to board the plane because you haven't been vaccinated. This sadly might be the reality for some, and enough of a reason to get vaccinated.
If this has been enough motivation to get the jab, our advice is to get it done ASAP before this becomes an official entry requirement for many countries in 2022, and the waitlist to get vaccinated goes beyond your desired travel dates, forcing you have to wait another year for that dream vacation you've been dreaming about since March 2020.
We want to see you on our tours in 2022. Do what you need to do to get there.
xx
