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As writers or bloggers, this is one reason we must reevaluate what we are sharing, promoting and writing about right now. Someday #travel destination guides and listicles will be relevant again. Today they are sandwiched in between death reports, layoffs and cancellations. https://twitter.com/jenalyson/status/1237809209573543944
Another reason why pressing pause on your travel content is important, is that travel companies are trying to save their butts right now, by balancing their losses on the backs of travelers. Pushing for future travel could cost your audiences dearly. https://www.frommers.com/blogs/arthur-frommer-online/blog_posts/beware-the-travel-industry-is-clinging-to-your-money
A third reason is that none of us know what the future of travel will look like short or long-term. Countries that have managed the virus well could close their borders to visitors.
Countries that haven't managed this well could tumble into ruin and become unsafe for visitors or simply unwise to visit. Think famine. https://edition.cnn.com/2020/04/22/africa/coronavirus-famine-un-warning-intl/index.html?utm_content=2020-04-22T11%3A49%3A04&utm_medium=social&utm_term=link&utm_source=twCNNi
In addition, companies that provide travel service within countries are buckling. So even if travelers can get to safe places, they may not be able to get around as they expect to based on past experience. Flixbus, for example has suspended operations.
Unless you are a major news org, it's nearly impossible to stay on top of everything in travel that is changing minute by minute so that you can responsibly and safely direct the people who depend upon you for travel information.
Tone deaf content and content that misleads would-be travelers can come at a high cost, including long-term loss of confidence in your brand.
There is always a hunger for content. So what kind of travel content stands to sound the least tone-deaf and appropriate right now?
The best travel content will be mindful of all of these issues. Consider thoughtful content about the changing face of travel. Develop articles that help travelers advocate for themselves when they get shafted by travel companies, or look out for their money if booking out ahead.
COVID-adjacent content should be handled with extreme care. Anything less can come off as opportunistic, heartless, and yes, tone-deaf. If you don't know how to do this, hire someone to help you.
In the short-term, hyper-local travel and food coverage may be the way to go. Family-owned businesses are going to be hard hit by this crisis, but as writers we can support them by sharing their stories, particularly if they are still operating--even on a limited basis.
