What we believe traveling will look like in 2021 and beyond
As we stand on the brink of a new - and hopefully much brighter - year, many have asked us what we as travel advisors think traveling in 2021 will look like. Well, if 2020 has taught us anything at all, it is that nothing can really be predicted. However, as we have been monitoring the world closely over the past year, we have been experiencing a movement that will undeniably change the way we travel and how we feel about traveling too. Over the next couple of years cities are likely to be more quiet and with less pollution, popular sights will be less crowded and traveling – whether it is a quick weekend trip to your neighbor country or traveling cross borders to meet new cultures - will no longer be taken for granted.
Looking into the crystal ball of traveling, we expect that the way of traveling will mirror the behavior we’ve seen in 2020. People will most likely take more precautions and follow the recommendations for social distancing even while traveling, meaning that travel patterns will be affected by these choices, creating opportunities to go to new places, travel slower, stay longer and experience the outdoor to a much wider extent than previously.
Traveling closer to home
The wanderlust is still there, but many will want to travel closer to home in 2021 and we predict that this will create a new trend and demand for European destinations. Europe is not just for small city breaks and a holiday with mom and dad. As Europe becomes exotic (again?) we will start to see more and more people travel to Europe with the same mindset and after the same types of experiences and adventures as they did with long-haul destinations, meaning they will stay longer and change from a “holiday state of mind” to a “traveling mindset”. Roadtripping through The Balkans, taking up surf lessons along the coast of Portugal and going Greek Island hopping will increase in popularity and for some even replace their gap year travel through Thailand and Vietnam.
Riding cars and trains to avoid the crowds
Being able to transport yourself from one place to another while still being able to avoid big crowds, will mean that more people will choose to travel by car or train more than they have been in the past. Interrail is said to have a comeback and we are already seeing people buying vans like never before, stripping them from seats and interiors to make room for a bed and a small kitchen for their plans to take the van for road trips through Europe.
The element of freedom will also play a big role in the increase in cars, vans and trains. The flexibility and freedom of traveling at your own pace while avoiding the crowds will also play a big role in the choice of transportation.
Uncharted destinations and open spaces
After months and months of being cooked up in our homes, we believe we will see a much greater tendency to travel to uncharted destinations away from tourist hotspots or big cities, and a big draw towards open spaces and nature. This will mean that a lot more of us will travel to national parks, go on hikes and camping trips and enjoy more outdoor activities like bike-riding, rafting, surfing, fishing and trekking.
Traveling more sustainable, staying longer and going local
We also see a move towards a more sustainable way of traveling. Both born from the acknowledgement that our planet benefitted from less traveling the past year, but also from the discovery that traveling is much more than just time off and something we no longer take for granted.
With the increased focus on sustainability, we expect to see many travelers go at a much slower pace and stay away longer. In other words, we will see travelers decreasing the number of trips they go on in order to go on longer journeys.
Social distancing yourself while traveling will most likely also mean that we will see an increase in the demand for smaller and even local accommodation, so travelers can stay away from big crowds and hotel hubspots.
Where do travel advisors like us fit into all this?
It’s no lie that it’s been a tough year for the travel industry, but there seems to be light ahead of the tunnel for us whose livelihood and passion is traveling. Over the past months we have seen an increase in travelers involving travel advisors for upcoming travel plans, seeking advice on where they can travel safely while still keeping the dream of a carefree adventure alive. At this point, we still don’t know how and when everything plays out with the vaccine, but we are certain that we will travel again. Some travel patterns will have changed forever, while others will return to old patterns or grow into new, as the vaccine becomes a reality and a more normal everyday returns. From where we sit, we are hopeful and excited about the future and believe that there are many positives to take away from the pandemic.
Want to know how we can help you with your upcoming travel adventure? Read more here.