For our clients and other RV & Trailer enthusiasts reading this, you’ve seen your travel horizons shrink but not completely limited in this new era of travel.
Even with vaccines now coming to Ottawa and across Canada, it is unlikely that a “return to normal” vis-à-vis travel will occur anytime soon. The best-case scenario is that the vaccines will eventually bring a ‘herd immunity’ to our society over time. In the meanwhile, distancing, masks and other prevention measures will continue to be necessary for the foreseeable future.
The global COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has changed the way the entire world thinks about travel, including limiting our travel options and redefining how we go about planning our trips and what we consider to be within the realm of possibility.
Those accustomed to taking vacations that involve flying, in particular, have been affected to a greater extreme – and of course cruise ship travel has come to a screeching halt during the pandemic.
RVers, on the other hand, have experienced fewer limitations due to COVID-19. This has led to an increased demand for RVs and trailers in Ottawa and across much of Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec.
In this edition of the Ottawa RV & trailer blog we’ll discuss the best options for purchasing RVs, trailers and campers as the best vehicles for the new era of travel – post COVID-19.
COVID Has Changed the Way We Think About Travel
From avid, world travellers to families looking at options for their annual holiday, COVID-19 has changed the way we travel.
Even with the hope that vaccines bring, the reality is that COVID-19 immunization is not (not yet, at least) a silver bullet for travel. Many travel experts – and experts in general in infectious disease, immunology, etc. – agree that, for the foreseeable future anyhow, we’ll all need to remain vigilant.
Here at home in Ottawa and surrounding communities, that means continuing our regimen of physical distancing, wearing masks, washing our hands regularly and exercising judgment when it comes to where we go and with whom we come into contact.
Many Canadians, for example, have made it a tradition to go south at some point during the winter. Cuba, Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, among others, had been popular travel destinations to “warm up” for a week or so in the otherwise harsh and frigid Ottawa winters.
Others have opted for cruise ship itineraries in the warm Caribbean or elsewhere.
For the 2020-2021 winter travel season, these options have virtually disappeared.
While they will eventually return, the way we think about travel won’t bounce back quickly if at all, anytime soon.
The same can be said for a variety of forms of travel, from European vacations to hotel city breaks and much more.
The one form of travel that has been resilient during the COVID-19 travel era – and will be a viable option as we go through the next several months or even years of continued distancing, mask-wearing and heightened concern about contact with others, is RVing.
Travel Options in 2021: Why an RV or Trailer Could Be Your Best Bet
When you take a road trip in a recreational vehicle (RV) such as a motorhome, travel trailer or camper, you’re eschewing much of the close contact associated with flying, cruising and hotels.
In an RV or trailer, for example, it’s just you and your household (or close friends / family members who are also in good health) from the moment you leave your driveway.
- No airports to deal with, no proximity at check-in, security or gate areas
- No strangers sitting next to you or breathing into the same recirculated air on a plane
- No contamination from surfaces or HVAC systems in a hotel, cruise ship, condo Airbnb, etc.
- No restaurants to worry about virus transmission through food, breathing, surfaces, etc.
By choosing an RV or trailer for your travels, you’re in control of your environment throughout the duration of your holiday. Other forms of travel cannot say the same – not hotels, not flying, not cruise ships.
While an RV or trailer won’t get you to Europe or the Caribbean, it will provide a safe, healthy and fun means of travel for you and your partner / family for years to come.
Which Is Right for You: RV, Trailer or Camper?
A question we’re often asked here at Travel Mor Trailer Sales, a trusted RV dealer in Ottawa and serving nearby communities in Eastern Ontario and the Outaouais, is which type of RV is right for your RV buying decision.
There’s not one simple answer, of course.
For some people, the comfort and convenience of a RV or full size motorhome fit the bill.
Others prefer towing a rig from their own truck, so a travel trailer works well for them.
We’ve written a few articles covering this subject:
- the differences between campers and trailers
- the differences between trailers and RVs
- RV buying tips
In short, it depends on the size of the vehicle you desire, what levels of comfort and flexibility best suit you, whether you want to drive versus tow your rig, and how you envision yourself traveling in your recreational vehicle.
For those who like to go camping, a camper or small to midsize trailer could be the best bet.
For people more accustomed to luxury and comfort, a travel-trailer or motorhome could be the right step in your RV travels.
Rent an RV, Trailer or Camper Before You Buy
One of the pieces of advice we’ve given many would-be RV/trailer enthusiasts is to rent before you buy, especially if you’re just starting out in the world of RVs and trailers and really aren’t sure what’s right for you.
Renting an RV or trailer gives you a feel for what the RV experience is like, without the big commitment of purchasing.
As a trusted Ottawa RV dealer, we’re always happy to answer your questions about renting an RV or trailer, or about RV sales, trailer sales and much more.
We love the RV & trailer lifestyle, and we hope you do or will, too.
Contact us today to find out more about RVs & trailers in Ottawa and how RVing and RV & trailer travel could be a great option for you in the post-COVID era of travel.
