Q: Grenada, Portugal and your native Vancouver are all very popular tourist destinations and suffering greatly from the lack of travellers these days. What kind of changes or shifts in mind-set have you experienced during this time?
A: Yes, all three of those destinations rely heavily on tourism, and it will most likely be a slow recovery. As with many cities and countries right now, there's a push for staycations and exploration of your own backyard, while supporting small businesses where possible.
In Grenada, we’ve noticed some promotion to visit the Sister Isle of Carriacou, and there are travel "bubbles" in place with the other low-risk Caribbean countries (CARICOM) to hopefully receive some tourism from the nearby islands.
In Portugal, the border with Spain opened recently as did the "air bridge" with the UK. So, there have been some more international visitors over the past month, which will hopefully help to boost the economy a bit right now.
Portugal has also adopted a "Clean and Safe" seal, which notifies travellers that the accommodation has been properly disinfected. There are also many other safety measures in place, such as wearing masks, disinfecting hands, and maintaining a 2-metre distance between people.
Something that seems to be popular right now in Portugal and Canada is Campervan and RV trips — especially for those who already own a van or some sort of trailer. Not only is this a great way to save money on food and accommodation, but it's a good way to practice social distancing right now, as you're self-contained.
We actually hired a campervan here in Portugal and enjoyed a 10-day trip around the northern and central regions of the country. We loved having our bathroom, bedroom, kitchen and transportation with us at all times!
Overall, I think staycations are a positive thing — for those who have the financial means right now. Many people have recently lost their jobs and are more concerned with putting food on the table than taking a tour or visiting another city while incurring those extra costs.