2021 Travel Trends Post COVID-19

Posted on January 15, 2021 | Last Updated on September 1, 2023

People love travelling for many different reasons. Some travel because of the love of adventures, others to learn about a new country, culture and its people.

The Covid-19 pandemic shouldn’t stop you from dreaming of your next holiday. But when will it be safe to plan your next trip?

The good news is that, following the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine, the future for international travel looks bright. 

When global travel does return and lockdowns are finally lifted, how will the Coronavirus have affected the industry? Will it ever go back to being the same? What are the future trends in tourism?

Let’s start preparing for our post-pandemic travel adventures in 2021 when (hopefully) the world is open once again to explore. Here are some of the top travel trends and predictions to watch for in 2021. 

1. Airport security

At the moment, some airlines require travellers to present negative COVID-19 test results prior to the departure. It’s likely that this procedure will continue in the future.

Can we expect airports to provide quick tests free of charge? For example, Germany’s biggest airline “Lufthansa”  already offers this facility. 

Yes, we can expect more testing on airports. Since it takes an hour before the results are ready, it is possible that we might be spending more time at the airport, before our flight departs. 

Airports might introduce touchless services and temperature scanners. They will ensure that passengers remain distant from each other during boarding, luggage drop-offs, security checks and baggage claim.

Masks, hand sanitisers and physical distancing will remain in place for a while.

Different countries might have a different set of rules and it is possible that we will be informed about them either via smartphones or by receiving a flyer at your entry point.

2. Lowered prices

Discounts and promotions may play a big part in the travel industry recovery effort.

Airlines, hotels, resorts and other tourist establishments will be operating in a competitive market and will likely need to ensure that they are offering the best value possible in order to attract customers.

3. Travel insurance

If COVID-19 has shown us anything it’s that you never know what’s around the corner. That’s why it’s even more important than ever to invest in travel insurance.

Those who travel often know that travel insurance can make the difference between an adventure and a nightmare. Unsurprisingly, more and more people are likely to protect their trips in the future.

Due to COVID-19, more flights were cancelled and hotels closed down and with travel insurance, you may be reimbursed for the money you paid.

4. Flexible booking

To make customers book with them, many companies, including airlines, hotels and cruise ships will offer flexible booking policies. This is because travellers want more security and peace of mind more than ever before. These policies allow cancellations and last-minute changes without penalty. 

5. Open spaces and outdoor activities

Nature will triumph. Nature breaks and wildlife are becoming more and more appealing in the era of social distancing.

Travellers are craving wide-open spaces after they have been closed for weeks during lockdowns. It is easy to envisage a future where wildlife and nature are preferred over closed spaces like galleries and museums.

Slightly isolated locations will win over the crowded spaces of the past. Busy cities, popular beaches and large hotels might be low on the wishlist compared to private villas, quiet coastal, mountain and rural locations.

a) Go camping

For the time being, camping is one of the safest forms of recreation that you can enjoy. It’s much better to go camping than visit high-risk areas which are crowded or indoors. 

Social distancing should be easy as campsites have lots of open space. What’s more- infection is much more difficult in the open air, because particles disperse quickly. 

b) Hiking

Hiking is a great way to spend time outside of your home and to exercise. Hiking in nature is not only good for our bodies but for our minds and moods as well.

This outdoor activity is often prescribed by some doctors as an adjunct to other treatments for disease because it’s so powerful for our well-being and health.

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c) Kayaking, canoeing, diving, boating or sailing

It’s a great idea to combine kayaking with other outdoor activities like fishing, camping, canoeing because this will give you an additional layer of immersion on any given adventure.

Lakes, rivers, oceans and anything in between can be navigated by kayak. Kayaking is easy and is great in spring, summer and autumn.

d) Golfing

Do you know that golf is booming in popularity during COVID-19? The MLive website asked four public health experts to assess the risk of different activities for spreading the coronavirus, and it turned out that golf was deemed one of the least risky.

Just like tennis, golf brings little concern. Spacing is part of the game and it’s outdoors.

So, what’s your favourite outdoor activity? Let us know in the comments below!

6. Group travel will shrink

Experts predict smaller, private groups and more solo travellers. For safety reasons, group travel is expected to shrink significantly.

Due to lockdowns many of us have had to spend long periods of time separate from our close friends and families.

When we start travelling again, we will want to do that in smaller groups, with our family members and close friends.

7. Backpacking

A recent report by Sentimantle predicts that backpackers will be among the first to return to travelling again because this group consists mainly of young, single individuals.

Budget-conscious backpackers will be able to take advantage of discounted hotels while travelling for work.

8. Worcations

Booking.com predicts that “workations” will be the new travel trend and travellers will hope to change their work from home experience by relocating. We will be booking a week or even a month to work away from home offices.

The site also revealed that 37% of travellers have booked a place to stay somewhere in order to work from a different destination.

9. Offline tourism

After working from home and spending unprecedented amounts of time online, people desperately crave a little break.

Researches show that remote employees are spending more time in meetings and are working longer than before.

After being able to explore destinations only digitally during the pandemic, many travellers are inspired to really be present on their next trip.

The internet remains essential for trip planning but many travellers are intending to make a conscious effort to keep their smartphone use to a minimum once they go back to travelling again. 

10. Travel agents

A trusted travel advisor can save you time and stress and the pandemic has highlighted the importance of working with one.

They can also help you successfully navigate any unforeseen circumstances from the beginning of your trip until the end. Just like with travel insurance. 

Visa First is a leading immigration consulting company. We can help you apply for your visa or work permit fast and stress-free today.

We provide a convenient and fast service – removing the hassle, and time associated with applying for travel visas and employment permits.

Our representatives will help you through the entire process from start to finish and will answer all the questions that you might have.