Instead of traveling by air and flying internationally, Americans return to trips on cars, camping.
In the 1950s and 1970s, when the interstate highway system developed, families often traveled by car. About 85% of Americans took a vacation by car in 1963 and the road trip became a cultural shifting ritual of families.
This summer's experiences are similar to those in 1965, not 2019, according to the New York Times. The difference between the two summers is that the luggage of travelers in the vehicle in 2020 will have additional gloves, mask packs, and hand sanitizer.
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| When we fly, we just get where we want to go and don't think much about where we fly by, says Anthony Harkins, a professor of history at Western Kentucky University. But driving allows visitors to better understand the places they go through, about geography, culture, history ... |
Last year, 40-year-old Amanda Morgan working in finance in New York came to Australia to see My Fair Lady at the Sydney Opera House, driving from Queenstown to Chrischurch (New Zealand). Her subsequent trips include strolling through famous lavender fields in Provence, France, and spending a week in Mykonos, Greece. The female American tourists celebrated Christmas in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and New Year's Eve in Paris, France.
When Covid-19 attacked America, Morgan canceled her trip to Jordan, Egypt in early May. Instead of floating in the Dead Sea or wandering the Petra archaeological site, she kayaks, watching the sunset at Inns of Aurora, a resort in the Finger Lakes region, upstate New York. Morgan left her Manhattan apartment in May and drove the rental car straight towards Interstate-81. On the driveway, Morgan just stopped for coffee and used the public bathroom.
Jessica Nabongo, 36, the travel blogger, begins a series of car-and-air trips, from New England to California, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. Nabongo is a person of color. Therefore, one of her concerns, apart from Covid-19, was racism in many parts of the country. However, she always finds joy when traveling by car, which the female blogger believes "helps you discover everything thoroughly and manage your time actively". For her, traveling means leaving home, and how far away is not so important.
A lot of Americans have spent a summer like Morgan and Nabongo. A report by AAA (American Automotive Association) shows that there are nearly 700 million road trips made by Americans this summer. This figure is only 3% lower than the same period last year.
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| Martin's family living on Staten Island were preparing to go on vacation together in February 1972. Photo: Dennis Chalkin / New York Times |
The pandemic with restrictions on domestic and foreign travel has forced tourists to choose places close to home. From April to June, in the surveys conducted, 40% of the respondents said they chose destinations within a 160 km radius. They flock to places that promise fresh air and plenty of sunlight. Los Angeles residents go to Palm Springs or Santa Barbara, Chicagoans go to the Great Lakes, Washington people go to Dewey Beach, and those who live in New York love to go to Finger Lakes.
Many people want to find ways to escape the heat of summer and get closer to beaches, lakes, and theme parks, says Peter Liebhold, curator of the Smithsonian National Museum of History. Americans believe that even in times of crisis, they want to travel. However, these tours will be adjusted to suit the actual situation.
In addition to moving to travel by land, Americans have also returned to more camping. More than 60% of the 100,000 campsites published on Campsot online had bookings of up 25% year over year. Camping truck rental and accessories sales have also increased. Loge, a campsite, sold out of five properties in the last week of July. Others saw a 40% increase in guest serving capacity.
One of the American habits is to visit national parks that are considered their "mecca", like Asians who have a hobby of visiting temples and shrines. During the 1950s and 1970s, the number of visitors to the national parks increased. The same thing happened this summer. Some parks and beaches welcome even more visitors compared to last July - August.
The campsite at Yellowstone National Park reopened in June and sold out in three summer months. Even the number of visitors booking for next year's summer here also increased by more than 10% over the same period last year.
In August, Jeff Miller, 41, rented an R.V. and drove with his girlfriend from Los Angeles to Zion National Park and several other national parks. Miller, the leader of the Black Crystal Wolf Kids band, said it feels great to travel while being safe. "How much I fell in love with the beauty of America".
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