Have you found yourself dreaming of travel more and more? If so, you’re not alone. Dreaming about travel is a daily occurrence for me! And now with the great news of a COVID-19 vaccine on the way, it is likely we will be able to start traveling again in the second half of next year. With that in mind, I wanted to revisit what I think the top travel trends are for 2021.
A few months ago, at the beginning of this pandemic, I wrote a post about how I think we will travel after the Coronavirus. While I still believe many of those examples remain true, there are a few new trends that have emerged that I also think will reflect how we travel and what is most important to us when we do hit the road.
So are you curious to know more? Keep reading to find out what I think the top 6 travel trends are for 2021.
6 Travel Trends for 2021
Short Term Home Rentals & Single-Residence Hotel Accommodations
One of the biggest travel trends that emerged during the pandemic that will continue in 2021 is the popularity of single-home and single-residence accommodations. Personally, I know that I will feel safer staying in a house or individual accommodation at a hotel versus a massive resort property because I want to control how many people I’m around as well as the cleanliness of my surroundings. I have a hunch that even after the vaccine has been widely distributed, many people will still feel more comfortable with this type of accommodation as well, especially while we are still feeling the residual effects of the pandemic.
The good news is that we will have more options when it comes to these kinds of accommodations. Not only can you choose from thousands of properties on Airbnb and VRBO, but hotels are also providing single-residence accommodations. One example is Antrim Streamside, a hotel that is made up of individual cabins on acres of land in Livingston Manor, in the Catskills. My husband and I stayed there during the height of the pandemic and felt 100% safe and comfortable. Other national hotels with individual villas and/or cottages include Hidden Pond in Kennebunk, Maine, Blackberry Farm & Blackberry Mountain in Walland, Tennessee, the Ranch at Rock Creek in Big Sky, Montana, and Enchantment Resort in Sedona, Arizona.
Local Travel that Supports Local Businesses
Another travel trend for 2021 that is emerging is local travel that supports local businesses. Local travel will be popular because people aren’t necessarily ready to get on a plane and fly somewhere. One, there’s the safety factor, and two, many people won’t have the budget for a bigger trip after what’s happened to the economy this year.
Sticking closer to home will also give people the opportunity to support local businesses. And considering the fact that so many small and local businesses have been decimated by the pandemic, this is a critical way that people can help out their own and neighboring communities.
Finally, local travel will be popular because people will still be wary of shifting guidelines about travel. Even with a vaccine, there could still be outbreaks and issues stemming from the virus, which could ultimately impact travel plans. Knowing this, it’s a lot easier to cancel or make changes to a trip when you’re driving in your own car than if you’ve booked flights and hotel accommodations.
Reunion Travel
I think reunion travel will be the biggest travel trend in 2021. Why? Because family and friends will want to reconnect with each other in person after spending so much time apart. And one of the best ways a family or group of friends can do that is by taking a vacation together where they can spend quality time reconnecting and bonding, making memories that will last a lifetime. (Because I’m pretty sure we’re all going to remember our first post-COVID trip!)
So, I expect to see many families and groups of friends renting out individual homes, cabins, villas, and beach pads, enjoying time together under one roof. And the destinations will more likely be at the beach or in nature than in a big city.
Beach and Nature Vacations
Well, since I just mentioned beach vacations, I might as well talk about this 2021 travel trend next!
I think that when people can travel again, they will be more likely to book a beach or nature-inspired vacation than a whirlwind trip to a large city. As I mentioned earlier, the residual effects of the Coronavirus pandemic will be with us for a while. So even if it’s safe to travel to a big city and immerse ourselves in large crowds, it doesn’t mean we will feel comfortable doing so.
The preference will be for destinations and trips where we can easily socially distance ourselves from others and feel a sense of privacy. That means more time spent in the great outdoors. And among all the types of nature-inspired trips you can take, I think beaches will be at the top of the list. Why? Because after the year we have all been through, who doesn’t want to spend a week, laying on a tropical beach, forgetting about 2020 entirely?! I know I do! (With a pina colada please!)
Planning for Bucket-List & Exclusive Trips
I think one of the biggest lessons we will learn from living through this pandemic is that we should do the things we really want to do and not put them off. And for many people that means a bucket-list trip. Especially after all of the time we have spent this past year not traveling, people will want to take advantage when they can finally do so safely again. And if they are taking the time off to travel, they want it to be worthwhile. So that might mean splurging on that bucket-list trip to the Maldives or Paris.
One good thing to note is many of the hotels and airlines are offering great deals that you can capitalize on now, even if you’re trip is months from now. It’s worth doing your research to see what perks and discounts you can get, because even better than taking a bucket-list trip is when you can save money on that bucket-list trip!
Trips that Focus on Wellness & Sustainability
One final travel trend for 2021 that I think will emerge is a focus on wellness and sustainability.
I think sustainability has really come to the forefront this year, especially after seeing how quickly we lowered carbon emission levels when the world stopped traveling. People will want to take this sensibility into future travel, whether that means opting for a road trip versus getting on a plane or choosing facilities that prioritize sustainability and eco-friendly practices.
Going hand in hand with sustainability is wellness. It’s been a huge focus for many of us this past year, and it’s something we’ll want to keep in our lives in the future, whether we are at home or traveling. Trips where people can still maintain a healthy lifestyle, and maybe pamper themselves a bit, will be very popular. I expect Resorts like Miraval, which recently opened in the Berkshires, and Canyon Ranch will be in high demand. And resorts that offer yoga and other fitness classes, as well as nutritious and nourishing food will be very popular.
What Are Your Travel Plans for 2021?
What do you think? Are you ready to travel?
And do any of these travel trends for 2021 resonate with you?
Please comment below and let me know what your travel plans look like for 2021! And if you’re looking to plan that bucket list trip now, here are my top 5 picks.
No Comments