Happy New Year from all of us at Swift! We’re so happy that it’s finally 2021 and are extremely optimistic about the year ahead. 2020 was a whirlwind (to say the least) and unfortunately, a lot of travel plans had to be put on the back burner. We’re hopeful that many travel destinations will begin to reopen once again in the upcoming year, and that families can go on those trips that had to be pushed aside due to COVID-19.
Though travelers are more eager than ever before to get out and explore (us included), how and where people decide to travel may look a little different this year than in years past. For example, some travel trends pre-coronavirus may have included backpacking through Europe or visiting exotic destinations, while our predicted travel trends for 2021 lean more towards people opting for destinations closer to home, and exploring what nature has to offer.
With that said, here are our predicted travel trends for the upcoming year:
Road Trips
Road trips were one of the most popular forms of travel this past year, and we predict that this trend will continue into 2021. Families are going to be looking for opportunities to get away while also making sure that they’re staying safe in the process.
People are probably going to feel more comfortable traveling by car rather than by plane, due to the fact that you’re only surrounded by your family or people that you live with, and not random strangers. Overall, travelers are going to opt for road trips in 2021 due to the fact that they are social distance friendly, and are typically cheaper than flying.
Last Minute Vacations
We expect to see a lot of people planning their vacations last minute in 2021. Cancellation policies for hotels and airlines have become a lot more leanenant since COVID-19 started, with big name companies allowing travelers to either change their flight or hotel reservation to a new date for free, or even cancel their reservation at no charge. Since travelers know that they’ll be able to opt out of their trip if needed with little to no consequences, they’ll feel more comfortable planning a spontaneous trip last minute.
Private Tours and Experiences
The next travel trend that we expect to see in the upcoming year is travelers taking more private tours and experiences. Though private tours may cost a little more, a lot of people don’t mind paying the extra money right now due to the fact that they can stay socially distanced and safe while visiting popular attractions. Many companies began offering private tours and/or experiences this past year, and we anticipate that even more companies will do so in 2021.
Staycations
Staycations are a great way to relax and get away from the stressors of life, while saving some money and staying safe in the process. They allow you to do things in your home or around your town that you normally wouldn’t do, and are an awesome swap for actually going on a trip. If you’re one of the many travelers that will be taking a staycation in 2021, you could consider going out to a new restaurant, having an at-home spa day, or going for a hike on a local trail. All in all, get creative and have fun with it – the possibilities truly are endless!
Outdoor Adventures
In 2021, we predict that people will begin taking trips where they can embrace all that the outdoors have to offer. We expect to see a lot more people going on camping trips, staying in cabins hidden away in the woods, and visiting places that have a lot of outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and rafting. People more now than ever before have begun appreciating the peacefulness, serenity, and adventure that the outdoors can bring.
Whether you plan to go on an outdoor trip, to hit the open road, or try out another travel trend, please stay safe, healthy, and most of all, have fun! We’re just as excited and eager as you are to pack our bags and embrace all of what 2021 has to offer. Let’s make this year the best adventure yet!
Will you try out any of our predicted travel trends? Or make your own type of adventure? Let us know in the comments!
