Are you wondering what travel will look like after the Coronavirus pandemic ends?
If so, you’re not alone.
I wish I had a crystal ball to tell you exactly how things will play out. (If I did, I’d be a very rich lady indeed!)
Of course, I don’t. But having spent a few years now writing content about and for the travel industry, I have a good sense of what some of the upcoming travel trends will be.
PLEASE NOTE! Before you read further, I want to be clear that unless it’s essential, I am in no way endorsing any kind of travel or movement right now. This post is about travel trends that I think will be popular after we emerge from this very critical period of staying at home and practicing extreme social distancing. Until then, please adhere to the guidelines laid out by the CDC and the WHO.
The travel trends I’ve put together in this post are based on a couple of factors.
One is our love for travel. People will want to get back out there and explore again once it’s safe to do so.
And two is safety, which means choosing travel options that are safe and smart for ourselves as well as others.
So, keep reading to learn more about 5 travel trends I think will be very popular after the danger of the coronavirus pandemic ends and it is safe enough for us to resume some of our normal and routine activities.
This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of them, I may earn a small commission (for which I’m very grateful!) at no extra cost to you. You can view my disclosure here.
How Will People Travel After the Coronavirus?
1. They will travel shorter distances and most likely do road trips. This makes sense. It’s much easier to disinfect your car (or a rental car) than an entire train or plane. It’s also easier to keep up with social distancing if you’re in your own vehicle. If planning a road trip sounds overwhelming, check out Roadtrippers, which will help you build an itinerary, suggest stops along the way, and provide navigation.
2. They will take shorter trips. The sad fact is that the entire economy is taking a huge hit with this virus and that includes many of us. Because of this, people will plan shorter trips, long weekends as opposed to a week or two away, to keep their spending down.
3. They will pick one destination and stay there. I think that one thing that will come out of this is the idea of slowing down to appreciate the simple pleasures in life. And in terms of travel, this will translate to a vacation that focuses on one place rather than jam-packing an itinerary with multiple destinations. This will also be about safety because less travel means less exposure to people and things that could spread a virus.
4. They will book home rentals. Home rentals, like ones you can find through HomeAway, Airbnb, and Vrbo, will be popular. And Trip Advisor recently got into the home rental market as well with Trip Advisor Rentals.
Why will home rentals be more popular than hotels? Because even if people are traveling, they won’t be doing as much sightseeing and moving about, so it’s likely they will want a larger home base with a kitchen and living area. One thing to note if you decide to do this: make sure to properly disinfect high traffic areas of the home when you arrive, even if the owners say they have cleaned the property. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
5. They will book vacations that focus on the outdoors. Let’s be honest. Even when things calm down, people will continue to social distance. Because of this, vacations that focus on the outdoors will be more popular. I think we’ll see a surge in people hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and partaking in other outdoor activities where you can keep your distance from others.
How to Prepare for Travel After the Coronavirus
1. Consider travel insurance, especially for bigger trips. Personally, I’m a big fan of travel insurance, especially when I’m booking a complex, overseas trip. And now, more than ever, this seems like a practical thing to consider. My go-to for travel insurance is World Nomads. If you are considering travel insurance, do your research and pick a policy that works for you. Also, read the fine print regarding coverage that is/isn’t offered regarding the coronavirus and other diseases before you purchase a policy.
2. Pack an emergency travel kit. In the past, this is something I’ve only done when embarking on an overseas trip. But now I plan on packing an emergency travel kit for wherever and whenever I travel, even if it’s a quick weekend trip. This should include the basic first aid and medicines that you would typically have at home. I plan to pack the following in my kit: a thermometer, aspirin, a pain-reliever, stomach meds, anti-bacterial cream, antibacterial wipes, band-aids, anti-histamines, and an anti-allergy cream like Benadryl. Of course, if you’re under medical care or on daily medications, please consult with your doctor to make sure you have a large enough supply of any meds you need before you travel.
3. Set alerts for destinations you want to travel to in the future. Once things return somewhat to normal and people are regularly flying again, there will be some good travel deals. If there is a destination you really want to visit, I recommend setting a travel alert so you can get updates about the prices for flights and hotels. You can do this with sites like Kayak and Skyscanner, and also with Google alerts.
Related: Looking for more travel tips? Check out these posts:
7 Tips to Help You Travel Like a Pro
Fly for Free By Maximizing Your Airline Miles
On a trip, last year, enjoying the wide-open vistas of the high desert near Santa Fe
Where Will You Travel After the Coronavirus Pandemic Ends?
After the coronavirus pandemic ends, where do you want to travel?
I’m hoping to fit in some weekend trips to places that are driving distance from NYC. It helps that a couple of these places, like the North Fork on Long Island and Cape Cod, are among my favorite vacation spots.
But I think there’s another reason I want to visit these familiar destinations. After living through this pandemic, I think we will all be looking for ways to comfort ourselves. And I can’t think of anything more comforting than returning to the places I love, creating more wonderful memories that will sustain me for years to come.
How about you? Do you feel the same or do you want to adventure more afar?
Wherever you decide to travel, or even if the only thing on your agenda is a staycation, I hope you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy.
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