It has been more than a year since life changed for all of us. Our lives have changed dramatically and in ways, it is hard for us to imagine until it happened. There is a massive drop in air travel and there is a lot we do not know about coronavirus and how the pandemic will play out. With the vaccine rollout, we do see light at the end of the tunnel, and hopefully, an end. However, we do know that our journey with COVID-19 is far from over and it is shaping up our future. Work, commute, and even travel will not be the same. The new normal will be different for the whole world and all the industries. Here are the top 5 ways travel will change in the future.
- We will prefer outdoors and road trips
Having spent a lot of time at home, we crave fresh air and lots of it. There is a massive influx of visitors to camping grounds and national parks. We have a newfound appreciation for the outdoors and it will continue in the future. The first sector to expand will be domestic travel and we will head out to wide-open spaces like ranches and national parks. We have learned to appreciate nature and we will prefer to explore our cities, parks, and regions first. Road trips have also soared in popularity and a lot of travelers find it easy and convenient to plan road trips at a destination closer to home. Considering the health issues, road trips are very appealing.
- The top priority will be hygiene and sanitation
The coronavirus has changed how we look at health and hygiene. But it is not just personal hygiene now. The travel industry has come under intense scrutiny and a lot of travel providers are constantly trying to prove to guests that they are safe. In the hospitality industry, sanitation and hygiene will remain a top priority. The sector will have to instil consumer confidence that their property is safe, secure, and clean. Hotels are doing everything they can to raise the sanitation standards while maintaining social distancing in their properties. You will notice a lot of disinfecting wipes in public spaces and staff wearing personal protective equipment, digital keys, mobile check-in, and sprays for deep room cleaning. Even airlines are following hygiene and sanitation standards to curtail the spread of the virus. Experts in the industry believe that these changes could be permanent.
- Luxury travel will pick up
We all know that if we wait too long to take the dream trip, it may never come. After the pandemic, we have learned that life is too short to not take the trip. Leisure travel has become popular since last year and we are now willing to spend more money on our travel. We will see a lot of epic trips taking place, and we will indulge in things we always dreamt of. A lot of travelers will go on a safari, fly in first class, explore the best national parks in the World, book a charter flight, and see the Northern lights. The Early Air Way, a jet charter service provider, is already receiving inquiries from travelers. The pandemic has given us the motivation to finally make the dream trip we have all been putting off. Whether that means taking an Aspen charter flight taking that beach vacation, or simply taking that family road trip, there will be an expected travel boom.
- Travel insurance will spike
A lot of travelers took travel insurance lightly in the past. But after the pandemic, we have learned a valuable lesson. Travel insurance is a must and it is essential to keep yourself safe wherever you are. The sales of travel insurance policies have skyrocketed since 2020 and it is the highest increase in decades. Travelers are willing to rethink how they will protect their travel investments and they are willing to pay a little extra for higher protection.
- Multigenerational-travel will expand
Once all of this is over, it will have been many months since we saw our families and got a chance to be together. The post-pandemic world will see families traveling together and they will be multi- generational holidays. It had already gained popularity in 2020 and will be back soon. The only way to hang out with the family during the pandemic has been through Zoom but multi-generational trips will change that and the barriers will be down. We will see young kids playing with grandparents by the beach and enjoying the world beyond the confines of their backyards. We have waited too long to hug our loved ones, and the first trip has to be with the people who matter most.
The pandemic has changed a lot for all of us. It has had a huge impact on industries and these changes are here to stay. If you are planning to travel in the near future, do not forget about your health and safety. The pandemic is not completely over so plan well and take the necessary precautions.