Selina Yeop JR's travel goal this year is to go to “unfamiliar territories like Romania’’.
THOUSANDS have ignored Covid-19 to travel as it is one of the many enjoyable pursuits of life for many.
With more borders reopening, thousands will be taking to the skies this year but travel is costing more, just like everything else.
Last minute trips often cost more and it is best to plan ahead.
Leisure travel is on the rise as is group travel globally, camping holidays are making a comeback so is multi-city flights while blended trips – combining leisure with business travel – are also in vogue.
Increasingly, more travellers are looking for “new alternatives’’ instead of the normal touristy spots.
StarBiz reached out to some travellers on their travel goals this year.
According to 53-year-old Selina Yeop JR, her travel goal this year is to go to “unfamiliar territories like Romania’’.
An avid traveller and a mother to three boys, she owns several businesses including public relations and a clothing line and is director of a public listed company. Travel has become part of her life, be it for business or leisure.
“I won’t share how much I would put aside for travelling with borders reopening but I am definitely more conscious in terms of the choice of airlines in view of the crazy cost of flight tickets these days!
“Due to the weak ringgit, I feel that for the same amount of money spent on European or US holidays, I can get a more luxurious travelling experience around Asia,’’ Selina said.
She has three long-haul trips lined up and several regionally ones, mainly work related.
Unless absolutely necessary, she would not stay with relatives when on holidays.
“For short stays, I definitely would book hotels simply because they are more flexible in terms of checking in or allowing me to leave my luggage should I arrive at my destination, say at 7am in the morning!
“Airbnb is usually strict in terms of checking in. Last year, when I was in Amsterdam, they didn’t allow any visitors to my unit and that was quite a shock because I had a friend who took a train all the way from Rotterdam to see me and we could only meet in the lobby. For longer stays, for sure I prefer Airbnb,’’ she added.
Zuridah (not her real name), 51, is a mother to three boys and two girls. Last year, she and her family travelled to several destinations including Istanbul, Rome and Switzerland.
“There is no specific budget really but I would check my affordability levels before planning,’’ she said.
An eight-day trip with her family would set her back by more than RM50,000 for a multi-city flight to two European destinations. The bulk of the costs is for flight tickets, accommodation and transportation.
“You may be able to save on these costs if you plan and book early, as it tends to get more expensive nearer to the travel date.
“Of course, we would love to have another long-haul trip provided we can match our kids’ college holidays. We have also been planning to go for a campervan holiday in New Zealand or a pilgrimage (umrah) trip with the family.’’
Accommodation wise, she normally books two or three-bedroom apartments via booking.com or Airbnb.
“I don’t believe in putting holiday costs into someone else by bunking into their homes during holidays. Have money to travel, otherwise stay put,’’ said Zuraidah.
JD, 59, who prefers to be known by her initials, is a mother to two girls and is a big fan of big cities and hotels.
However, “if there is a relative, yes, will try to stay with them, as it cuts the cost by half,” she said.
This year, her travel goals include going to the UK and Europe besides one or two Asean destinations.
Her trip to the UK or Europe would normally cost about RM20,000 to RM30,000 for travelling, food, hotels and shopping and an additional RM6,000 each in flight cost for her family of four.
Daniel, not his real name, is 28 and single. He believes in travelling light and makes last-minute arrangements.
He said he is “often lucky” to not pay too much because his choices of destinations are not the touristy spots. He also prefers low-cost carriers and budget accommodation.
There are many destinations across the globe to travel, so what is your bucket list? Would it be the big cities or small towns, overseas or domestic holidays?
And are you considering the top spots such as Antarctica, Malta, Marseille in France, Fukuko in Japan, the Bhutan trail, Boho Islands in the Philippines or Grik, Perak, or Kota Baru, Kelantan?
Wherever it may be, it is better to plan early to seek out the best bargains.
With the pandemic still lingering, some countries do change their rules abruptly, so do keep some funds aside for eventualities while on a trip.
