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As vaccinations continue to role out, 2021 has begun on a note of hopefulness. 2020 was the year we learned that life is fragile and the freedom to roam the world can be taken away in the blink of an eye.
Leisure destinations are now opening up again and showing signs of increased uptick in terms of demand. The determining factors related to travel choices hinge on safety, hygiene practices and social distancing.
Here are six trends that will shape the way we travel in 2021.
1. Go big and travel closer to home or far—the year that travel dreams come true
More people are opting to travel closer to home or staying at home. Similarly, to make up for the lost time in 2020, we see more travelers going big on their vacations—with people gravitating towards travelling to “bucket list” destinations or once-in-a-lifetime trips in order to “celebrate being alive and that life is short”.
With the added travel constrictions, travelers will be looking for unique experiences and traveling to destinations that aren’t a tourist hotspot.
2. Nomadic travel: Embracing work from anywhere
Need a change of scenery? Get into beach based working with the introduction of nomadic travel. With remote working now a way of travel, you can become a digital nomad and work while sunbathing on the beach.
A lot of destinations have introduced digital nomad visas and packages that offer flexible opportunities. For instance, the Barbados Welcome Stamp offers traveler the chance to travel back and forth under the same trip. Similarly, Mauritius’ Premium Visa is open to those who want to relocate and work remotely, have a long-term second home for 2021 and beyond.
3. Travel with an impact: smaller footprints
Overcrowding and mass tourism isn’t just bad for the planet, it’s bad for the locals. There is a growing understanding of the impact—good and bad—that travel has on the world around us. Hence, people are becoming more conscious of how they travel and will want to minimize the footprint of their journey. Sustainable tourism is the future as more travelers will be keen to travel to destinations that promote sustainability.
The island nation of Palau is setting out to become the world’s first carbon neutral country, offering a blueprint for others to follow. Tourists will be able to calculate and track emissions from travel and tourism activities, and then be offered choices for carbon offsetting. These options include “blue carbon” initiatives, such as mangrove restoration, or regional sustainable production activities that reduce CO2 emissions.
4. Maximizing the trip
During lockdown, many travelers relied on virtual tours and activities to satisfy wanderlust. But once able to roam again, whether it is just within their own cities or on a proper getaway, travelers will be making their journeys count by staying longer and getting more out of their travel by immersing their days with activities available.
5. Health and safety advancements
Health and safety as the top priorities, travelers will be cautious about where they travel to and when they are going. To help support the mental and physical safety, more people will consider booking a remote say in a beautiful environment where they can find a peace of mind and opportunities for distanced physical activities.
6. Majority of travelers booking less than a month out
Booking any type of travel can be potentially risky during this period. However, airlines and hotels are now offering flexible booking options in hopes of capturing more business in the current climate.
“Free cancelation” are becoming more common and many airlines have introduced affordable safe bubble packages for travelers. People can now take advantage of refundable options or book last-minute availabilities. Booking close to the travel date seems to be a continuing trend.
