Travel bubbles, domestic travel and buying local

in OCD4 years ago

As many countries are still in complete lockdown, others are seeing the light at the other end of the tunnel. Here in New Zealand we had a 4 week strict lockdown, and as cases have slowed to a drip we have slowly started to ease the lockdown. With the easing of lockdowns, new problems and questions emerge around how to keep economies running, while also trying to keep as many businesses from going out of business - theres only so much money a government can give before the country runs low on options right!??

Travel bubbles


One option that has been floated is to have ´travel bubbles´ - that is free travel allowed between specific countries (those within close geographic region) and who have the virus under control. This option is being mulled over between New Zealand and Australia (who both have the virus under control at the moment). This would be hard to manage, but would be a great boost to both economies. New Zealand thrives on tourism, and I am sure there are many Australians who havent seen alot of our beautiful shores. Likewise I am sure many New Zealanders havent been out into the outback or seen all of the major cities in Australia.

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This option is also being talked about between close neighbors Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Again it could be a great way to help revive these economies and help pump some money into them. I am all for this idea and think that it could work for many countries who are moving through the virus at a similar time.

Domestic travel


This idea of travel bubbles could still be many months away. In the mean time, once domestic travel restrictions end it is a perfect time to get out and see some more of your own country! I know many people prefer the more exotic OE (overseas experience), but with that not possible it seems logical to check out more of what is in your backyard.

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As I mentioned, in New Zealand, tourism is a massive industry and with our borders closed many of these businesses will fail due to the pandemic. However, domestic travel could help prop these struggling companies get back on their feet. The big bonus of this is that there obviously wont be alot of tourists about, and in the short term these previously busy places will be more like ghost towns - just the way I like to travel!

Buying local


During economic downturns like this, the best way to prop back up an economy is to spend money! And not only spending, but buying local rather than through places such as Amazon, will help keep those smaller business keep going (they will feel this the hardest. Yes it might cost abit more buying local, but in the long term it will lead to a more stable economy again.

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Next time your out for a coffee, ask yourself is there a local alternative to Starbucks? When you want takeaways next - is there a local alternative to Mcdonalds?

The next few months are going to be testing for alot of people, but there are things we all can do to help and keep our small and local businesses afloat.

Stay safe everyone

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As an Aussie I can confidently say screw you Kiwi's! Lol

Nah, just kidding of course. We travelled to the South Island last October and fell in love with it - Despite it being way more costly there than it is back here. We'll be back for sure man, loved it!

Travel is a bit of a funny thing at the moment I guess. Here in Australia we can't travel interstate and there's a travel ban in place for all international destinations...I have flights booked and paid for to go to Scandinavia in July and Tasmania in October and have no idea how that's going to go. We'll see I guess.

You make good point about spending locally though, the economy needs a bit of a jump start.

I hope you're well.

Haha the banter is real! Us Kiwis love aussies! Honest....

Yeah it was a smack in the face coming back after 2 years away couldnt believe how expensive everything was!!!!

I wouldnt imagine youd be going there in July, but who knows those countries are doing well with the virus. MAYBE you can go by then but will need 2 weeks quarantine on either end of the trip. No thanks.

Yeah its hard because buying local does generally cost more, but we all need to do out part.

Yeah I am well sorry I didnt reply, busy getting back and ready for work next week!

All good mate, people get busy.

Yeah, I think July won't happen but we have to keep the time free in case it does. I'm hoping not though. We'll just go next year. I'm going to try and change my flights next week.

All the best for the weekend broo!