Reflecting on Five Years of Post-Pandemic Travel Changes

As we mark five years since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared, travelers are asked to reflect on changes to their travel behaviors post-lockdown, amid the rise of "revenge travel" and emerging challenges of overtourism.

The world as we knew it changed dramatically in March 2020, when the World Health Organization announced the COVID-19 pandemic. Soon after, the travel industry witnessed unprecedented shutdowns, with countries and states imposing travel restrictions in a bid to curb the spread of the virus. Global travel came to a standstill, with the European Union closing its borders to nonessential travel and cruise ships grounded indefinitely.

After a slump lasting several months, the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines in early 2021 triggered a revival in travel. At first, passengers donned face masks on flights and adhered to rigorous health protocols in airports. Gradually, as fears receded and borders reopened, travelers sought to reclaim the excursions lost during the pandemic era—a trend referred to as "revenge travel."

This surge led to a massive influx of tourists flocking to popular destinations previously quiet during lockdowns. Locations such as Venice, Iceland, Barcelona, and Dubrovnik quickly transformed from ghost towns to overcrowded hotspots. As tourism rebounded, many governments took action to curb the impacts of overtourism, instituting entry fees and operational limits to ensure sustainable tourism.

We are keen to learn about your personal voyages during these changing times. How has your travel experience evolved since the pandemic began? Share your story, and we may reach out for further insights—rest assured that your privacy will be protected throughout the process.

Danial Adkison leads the Travel section at The Times and is eager to gather unique travel narratives from a rapidly changing world.