The year 2020 came with a lot more than we expected. Though many made New Year’s resolutions, it’s doubtful that any of them included dealing with the current pandemic, which hit almost the whole world, leaving most activities stunted. The hardest hit industry was tourism, as there was a cessation of movement between borders. However, humans are resilient and the way we spend our leisure time has morphed to accommodate the restrictions.
How 2020 Completely Changed Tourism
Here are the ways 2020 changed how we travel and the ways we get entertainment now.
Staycations Became the Better Option
With travel restrictions in place and those with wanderlust have to look for alternatives. Since vacations abroad have been curtailed, many have had to look for local destinations to visit instead. “Staycations” have become the new way to go on adventures.
This means that more people are visiting local tourist attractions and museums within their areas. It has also been an excellent time for families to reconnect as they explore their beautiful hidden gems and treasures of nature located within short distances. Some have even taken up camping again and enjoy the what the local surroundings have to offer.
How 2020 Completely Changed Tourism
A staycation doesn’t have to be miles from home either. Some have been spending extra time indulging themselves in ways they didn’t have time for before. The activities range from planning a home spa day, where they pamper their bodies with bubble baths and face masks, to reading books and taking online exercise classes. All these helped them beat the blues and stay entertained at the same time.
Online Casinos Take Over
2020 has affected many people physically, psychologically, and emotionally. They, therefore, needed to find fun things to do at home even with restrictions.
The lights of Vegas stayed dark this year as casinos around the world had to stay closed. Gone were the days of hitting the slots and poker tables for a fun night out. However, this didn’t mean they quit their favorite pastime—they just moved over to online casinos! It’s completely changing gambling as we know it!
Outside the famous Monte Carlo Casino in Monaco.
Take Canada, for example. With 60% of citizens gaming on a regular basis, many who used to frequent traditional brick-and-mortar casinos made the move over to some of the most popular Canadian online casinos out there. The trend toward legalizing online betting and gambling activities is a positive one, and Canada might be well on its way to new regulations soon. At the moment, both local and international operators can carry out their business in the country and Canadians can choose the most suitable casino sites to play at, without many restrictions. Click here for tried and tested recommendations.
The latest online casinos combine the thrill of gaming with the safety and convenience of betting from the comfort of one’s home. The popularity of online casinos over the land-based ones is a trend that’s likely to continue in the future.
Outdoor Activities Have Overtaken Urban Tourism
When people had to change their usual day by day life, they found creative ways to socialize and have fun instead.
To avoid being cooped up at home for hours on end, many started to make better use of their backyards. With so much time on their hands, they could finally do all the outdoor activities and DIY projects they’d been putting off.
Some of these include barbecuing, gardening, and arts and craft projects, among many others. Some people even started to grow their own vegetables, since even going to the grocery store was not guaranteed.
Even once places started opening up again, people still opted for open-air activities such as hiking with friends and hosting backyard barbecues. That meant less people were eating out at restaurants, going to their favorite drinking spots, or attending any events that involved many people, like weddings, concerts, and conferences.
How 2020 Completely Changed Tourism
People are Going to Drive-ins Instead of Movie Theaters
2020 has also affected the theater industry significantly. As people could no longer go to movie theaters to watch their favorite films but still eager to go out and have fun. That’s why drive-in movie theaters have made a huge comeback in 2020! It allowed moviegoers to leave their homes, where they had been cooped for days or even weeks and interact with people from a safe distance.
They just had to drive to the drive-in movie theater, buy a ticket, and enjoy the films from the comfort of their vehicles.
Conclusion
With time, avid travelers can now start planning a trip to their favorite destinations once again, that’s for certain!
As we conclude the year, we can only hope that things can go back to how they were before and maybe even be better. The tourism industry is still waiting to recover from the hit and start thriving again. Come on, 2021!