Last Updated on May 4, 2020 by WFD
The lockdown is here, and being grounded at home due to the novel coronavirus is the new normal now. Undoubtedly, the travel and tourism industry has been one of the most affected sectors. Worst of it all, the closure of airports to international commercial flights has shut down the industry completely.
In the face of this industry-wide meltdown, the careers of travel bloggers who chronicle their explorations to an audience of thousands through blogs and social media posts are being thrown into shambles.
But what is it really like to be tied down when your passion revolves around continuously being on the move? We inquired from a number of travel bloggers — to invite us into their lives during the coronavirus pandemic. We also asked them to share what they’re looking forward to most once this is all but a distant memory.
Kimberly, a Californian-based travel blogger and influencer who quit her full-time job to follow her dreams of traveling the world, usually finds herself on a plane almost every month, flying out to countries of interest to enjoy the culture, food, and tourist attractions.
These days, she has exchanged her mobile lifestyle for a more grounded one, spending quality time with her parents and engaging in a lot of self-improvement activities.
The case isn’t different from Laura, a Belgian travel blogger who co-authored this popular article, and whose globetrotting has taken her to over 30 countries so far. She tells World’s Finest Destinations that she had to cancel her trips to Luxembourg and France, and be tethered to her home due to coronavirus.
At the moment, she’s spending a lot of time reading books, while jogging to stay fit and spending a considerable amount of time working on improving her blog.
For Khadija, a young Pakistani Software Engineer by qualification and a travel blogger by passion who has extensively explored Northern Pakistan, she feels disappointed not being able to accomplish her travel plans at the moment.
Jen Jen is a travel blogger from the Philippines who doubles as a registered nurse with a burning passion for globe-trotting and fashion. On one hand, she isn’t able to travel as she would’ve when there wasn’t any coronavirus. On another hand, she is vigorously working hand in hand with thousands of frontline workers, as a registered nurse, fighting against the COVID-19 to pave way for her to travel again in the near future.
“I work from home and it’s always business as usual for me,” says Elle, a travel blogger from Atlanta who has made a life out traveling the world and currently helping other girls make their travel dreams come true.
Laura, Travel Blogger at Laure Wanders
- What do you love most about travel blogging?
It’s hard to mention just one thing because there’s so much I love about travel blogging. I always loved photography and one of the things I probably love the most about it is taking and editing pictures for my blog. I also love reminiscing about places I’ve visited and writing about my experiences. Being able to inspire people to travel solo and hearing about their adventures is another thing I really love.
- How has the pandemic affected you and what you enjoy doing?
I was supposed to be traveling through Uzbekistan and Tajikistan right now. I also had to cancel trips to Luxembourg and France earlier this year, so the pandemic has a pretty big impact on my life. Besides traveling, I love hiking but because every tourist site is closed in Belgium, that’s no longer possible either.
- How are you spending time now as a travel blogger?
On the brighter side, I have time to read again now, so I spend a lot of my time enjoying a good book. I also started jogging to stay fit and still spend a lot of time working on and improving my blog.
- What are you looking forward to the most when the pandemic is over?
Being able to travel again, without a doubt!
Khadija, Founder of Chic in Kicks
- What do you love most about travel blogging?
I have always been blogging in my free time. Then I started travelling and explored the north of Pakistan. It changed me completely so I decided to write about my travel adventures. This is how I became a travel blogger.
Writing about my travel stories is the only thing that I enjoy most, particularly when I vividly describe a certain place. As soon I sit down to write, it all comes back to me. The changing weather, the gathering moments, the unknown smiles, the longest bus rides, the wide sky, the mini hardships, the jokes, the delicious taste of the regional food, and almost everything comes like a flashback. It’s like revisiting the place in waking dreams.
Writing down each and every detail gives me a feeling as if I am doing something very important. By delivering the information to the people, I feel responsible to give as much as possible. This often encourages the readers, my friends and family to go out and explore. The words work like magic when they come and tell me that they really enjoy reading my blog posts and ask me to take them along. It’s a feeling of honor to make people fall in love with the places merely by the use of good sentence structure and amazing photography.
- How has the pandemic affected you and what you enjoy doing?
To be very honest, the pandemic has made me postpone my travel plans. I felt very disappointed because it was the season. I had been waiting to pursue my trekking adventures in North Pakistan. However, I am still keeping my hopes high.
- How are you spending time now as a travel blogger?
Partially wondering what other travel bloggers are doing and partly freelancing. Besides this, I am trying to add up new skills to my profile. Being an IT graduate, I just started learning VPS hosting. That’s to remain productive while I am home. Other than this, I play Call of Duty whenever I am in the mood, watch news, and read important articles to keep feeding myself with the latest information.
- What are you looking forward to the most when the pandemic is over?
Haha. I am eagerly waiting for the day when the government will announce that the pandemic is over. I will book my first trip and go to Skardu (also known as the roof of the world). And if it happens in winter, I’ll go visit my friends in Islamabad city and will plan a short hiking trip to Margalla Hills instead.
Jen Jen, Cofounder of Travels and Whims
- What do you love most about travel blogging?
Travel blogging is something I do out of passion. Venturing the world and making new personal discoveries really speaks to my very psyche. I have always been a wanderer, and with that comes an insatiable yearning to pack up and go where my whim takes me.
- How has the pandemic affected you and what you enjoy doing?
During a crucial time such as this COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing is a must and my dreams to roam have met a brief pause. Saving lives takes precedence and the fulfillment of doing such gives meaning and a whole new perspective on humanity. It would be unfair to say that I enjoy doing what I do because of families going through tough times everywhere, but I will say from my heart that it comes with a sense of satisfaction when my patients recover. That “thank you” has never sounded sweeter coming from my patients and the lives I’ve touched.
- How are you spending time now as a travel blogger?
Time seemingly came to a standstill as I dream of normalcy to once again become a reality. But until this becomes a memory of a distant past, most of my days are spent with my patients and in saying prayers within my heart for God to provide healing and comfort for those who have been gravely affected by this virus.
- What are you looking forward to the most when the pandemic is over?
When this phase of our history comes to past, I am looking forward to pursuing my hankering for globe-trotting and once again roam where my feet may take me. This era of anxiety and fear will soon be over by God’s grace. When that happens, I am looking forward to a world of renewed faith and a greater appreciation for human lives.
Kimberly, Founder of Come Along with Pong
- What do you love most about travel blogging?
I love helping people and inspiring them to travel through my writings and social media posts.
- How has the pandemic affected you and what you enjoy doing?
I was about to get hired for a couple of jobs before the shutdown happened. Both jobs couldn’t hire me anymore and they have been put on hold till the pandemic is over.
- How are you spending time now as a travel blogger?
I’m enjoying my time spending quality time with my parents. I’m also enjoying going on more walks outside and the sense of community that we’re all in this together. I now pay more attention to the little things in life and being grateful for them. I’m focusing a lot on self-improvement and self-care activities; and learning a lot online right now.
- What are you looking forward to the most when the pandemic is over?
I’m looking forward to hugging and seeing people I haven’t seen in a while. I can’t wait to travel when it’s safe to do so.
Elle, Owner of You are the Pineapple
- What do you love most about travel blogging?
I wanted a new life. When I was 23, I admired all the feeds of girls who seemed to make a career out of traveling. I wanted to find a way to travel more. I also wanted to find a new career to pursue that I could be passionate about. I created an online travel-themed clothing store. I wanted to write myself into the world of traveling for work. I discovered that I also had a passion for helping other girls build their dream lives and travel the world or do whatever makes them happy more often. This is my goal with my online store and the blog I share their stories on.
- How has the pandemic affected you and what you enjoy doing?
I had to cancel my honeymoon. Then I felt sick. Then I had to cancel my bachelorette party to the beach. I felt sicker. Then I realized I had to postpone my whole wedding. I dealt with the stress of making these tough decisions at the same time as I was having difficulty breathing. Then I started to heal. Despite the stress of dealing with these circumstances, I felt lucky that my loved ones were safe, my job was safe, and there was hope for the future. My 2020 travel plans and wedding may have been cancelled, but that can’t stop me from dreaming up new places to travel in the future.
- How are you spending time now as a travel blogger?
I work from home; it’s always business as usual for me. I actually seem to get more done now as I don’t have social outings distracting me.
- What are you looking forward to the most when the pandemic is over?
Warm weather days with loved ones. Wine sipping at vineyards, rooftop patio in the summer heat, and booking my next big trip!