Even as the global economy has opened up, the after-effects of the pandemic have changed the ways in which we travel forever. From lockdown uncertainties in some parts of the world to added travel requirements like vaccine shots and contact tracing forms, there seems to be a daunting checklist that we need to clear out for our next trip. Of course, there’s still the dark cloud that doesn’t seem to go away – how safe is it really to start traveling again?

With travel insurance now offered in GCash, you can skip to the good parts by seamlessly incorporating protection into your upcoming travels. All you have to do is log on to your GCash app, open ‘GInsure’, and tap ‘Travel’.

This feature allows you to choose your preferred travel protection option from GCash’s partner-insurance providers, Standard Insurance, offering protection as low as Php 103, and Malayan Insurance offering protection as low as Php 950.

Here are some of the ways that the Standard and Malayan travel insurance packages in GCash can prepare you for your next vacation:

1. Choosing your destination

Are you hoping to experience a winter wonderland in the coming months, or maybe you’re yearning to take a beach trip this summer? GCash protects you by offering travel insurance in various countries all over the world. You can be flying domestically, across the ASEAN, to multiple countries in Asia, and even worldwide. Coverage duration covers as little as one day, spanning up to 90 days.

2. Completing your itinerary

When traveling during the rainy season, you can never be too sure about your flight scheduling. Thankfully, GCash’s travel insurance offering allows customers to reimburse cash in case of trip cancellations and terminations made by your airline provider. In case of flight delays, it is also possible for you to get compensated for hotel accommodation and food allowance on a case-to-case basis depending on your protection coverage.

3. Traveling by air

Air travel is not always glamorous. We have all heard of horror stories of lost or damaged luggage, misplaced visas or passports, or even loss of cash during flights. Well, the travel insurance can reimburse you for that as well! Get paid back for your troubles with a minimum spend of Php 103 or Php 950!

4. Protecting yourself against emergencies

With the pandemic heightening the need to be protected wherever you go, GCash offers travel insurance that can cover hospitalization expenses for certain accidents or illnesses that are not pre-existing, including claims arising from COVID-19. In fact, both Standard and Malayan Insurance offer travel assistance in the case of medical repatriation or evacuation.

Revenge travel is all the rage right now, which means hordes of people flocking all the most popular destinations, airports, and seaports here and around the world. While this may seem daunting, GCash has your back! When you avail of travel insurance via GCash, you can travel worry-free and have some of your biggest travel fears covered for the most affordable insurance packages.

No GCash yet? Download the GCash App on the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or Huawei App Gallery! Register and get verified today, and enjoy #GalaNaAlwaysHanda this 2023 by getting travel protection via GInsure now.

People who travel more outside of their local area feel that they are healthier than those who stay closer to home, finds a new study led by UCL researchers.

How often people travel and the range of places visited are important, with those who regularly travel more than 15 miles away from home more likely to report being in general good health.

Those who travel to a wider variety of places are more likely to see friends and family. This increase in social participation is then linked to better health.

Researchers say the results provide strong evidence of the need for investment in medium and long-distance transport options, such as better serviced roads and access to trains and buses.

For the paper, published in Transport & Health, the researchers analysed travel in the north of England, where residents face worse health outcomes than the rest of England and many rural and suburban areas suffer from poor transport accessibility.

Specifically, they looked at the links between perceived constraints to travel outside of the local area, such as a lack of suitable public transport, and self-rated health, considering trip frequency, the number of different places visited, distance travelled, car use and public transport use.

Lead author Dr Paulo Anciaes (UCL Bartlett School of Environment, Energy & Resources) said: “We expected to find that restrictions on travel through a lack of access to suitable public transport or to a private car would be linked to residents’ perception of their health because of the lack of social participation.

“We explored the links between constraints to travel more than 15 miles from home, demographics and location and social participation in how residents perceived their own health, finding that the key variable is the number of different places people visit outside their local area. This links to more social participation and better health.”

The researchers conducted an online survey of 3,014 nationally representative residents in the north of England. Constraints to travel have previously been identified as contributing to economic disadvantage and a lower sense of wellbeing in the region, but the impact on health hadn’t been analysed before. The team used a research technique called “path analysis”, which uncovers the direct and indirect effects of constraints to travel outside of people’s local area.

The study found that the links between travel constraints, social participation and health are stronger among those aged over 55. Among this group, constraints to the number of different places people can travel to is linked to less frequent contact with friends and participation in clubs and societies.

Dr Anciaes explained: “Those aged over 55 are more likely to face other constraints to travel such as limited mobility. They are also more likely to suffer from loneliness. In the north of England, rural and suburban areas with limited access options are more likely to experience population loss as young people move to the cities in search of work and good travel options. Meanwhile, older generations are left behind in these areas with limited transport options. The range of places they can visit is low, leading to less social participation and lower levels of general health.

“The results of this study emphasise the need for public policies that reduce constraints to travel in the region, by providing better options for private and public transport that allows for more frequent and longer trips.”

For the first time ever, fans from around the world can explore the faraway lands of their favorite holiday films with an exclusive overnight stay at the original Hobbiton™ Movie Set. Russell Alexander is inviting guests to his family’s property to live like Bilbo Baggins and retreat to The Shire for an overnight stay at Hobbiton, as featured in the famed The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies.

Nestled in the picturesque pastures of New Zealand’s Waikato region on a 2,500-acre working farm, the property’s rolling, green hills – bear a striking similarity to The Shire as described by J. R. R. Tolkien in The Lord of the Rings, and captivated Sir Peter Jackson’s movie scouts more than two decades ago. The team quickly realized the Hobbits had found their home – and this holiday season, it could be yours.

Alexander will host three individual two-night stays for up to four guests at NZD $10 per night* as an homage to the 10th anniversary of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, courtesy of Airbnb.

With access to 44 Hobbit Holes, The Millhouse, The Green Dragon Inn, and other beloved locations from the work of J.R.R. Tolkien, guests will take an unexpected journey into Middle-earth for an experience unlike any other.

With sweeping views of The Shire, they’ll enjoy:

• Cozy overnight accommodation curated by the trilogies’ Creative Director Brian Massey, including a writing nook fit for Bilbo Baggins at The Millhouse.
• Private access to a personal Hobbit Hole, set up for relaxing moments of Preciousss  downtime and afternoon tea.
• An evening banquet in The Green Dragon Inn with a feast featuring beef and ale stew, whole roast chickens, freshly baked breads and plenty of ale, plus Second Breakfast and Elevenses served daily.
• A behind-the-scenes private tour of Hobbiton Movie Set.

Now, one does not simply walk into Middle-earth. There are rules.

• No unexpected parties, please –  unless with Gandalf and company.
• Bare feet are allowed but wipe them first.
• Magical rings permitted, but keep them secret, keep them safe.
• Pony parking is provided only at The Green Dragon Inn.
• Straying far at night is discouraged, thanks to multiple troll sightings of late.
• No pets are allowed, except Pickles the resident Hobbiton cat.
• Never laugh at live dragons…

“For more than two decades, we’ve welcomed millions of passionate fans to Hobbiton Movie Set, but never before has anyone had the opportunity to spend a night in Middle-earth. I am delighted to share the beauty of my family’s farm and pleased to be hosting this iconic location on Airbnb for fans from around the world,” shares Host Russel Alexander.

How to book

Hobbits, elves, wizards and others may request to book one of three overnight stays on Wednesday, December 14 from 10:00AM NZDT/5:00AM PHT at airbnb.com/hobbiton. Stays will take place March 2-4, March 9-11, and March 16-18, 2023. You Shall Not Pass! (without requesting to book, of course).

To request to book, guests must have a verified Airbnb profile, a history of positive reviews and be aged 18+. Maximum occupancy is four persons. Two bedrooms are configured, featuring one queen bed, and the other two king-singles.

Guests are responsible for their own transportation to and from Auckland, New Zealand. Round trip car transportation will be provided for the two-hour journey between the airport and the property. (And just as a Wizard is never late, it’s important our guests arrive at their stay precisely when they mean to).

Travellers looking to book should note that this stay’s rules require strict adherence with local COVID-19 guidelines. Guests are responsible for their own travel to and from Auckland. Airbnb is closely monitoring COVID-19 infection rates and government policies and will offer booking guests a refund of the booking fee ($31) and $1,000 USD Airbnb travel credit if Airbnb determines it is necessary to cancel the stay due to COVID-19 guidelines.

*Plus taxes and fees. These three individual two-night stays are not a contest. The Hobbiton Movie Set is privately owned and operated.