Bucket List Bonanza: 2021's Hottest Travel Trends for the Post-Pandemic World
Bucket List Bonanza: 2021's Hottest Travel Trends for the Post-Pandemic World - The Great Outdoors Beckons
The pandemic has reawakened many travelers’ appreciation for wide open spaces and fresh air. After being cooped up inside for the better part of a year, people are eager to get outside and enjoy nature. This means the great outdoors will be a huge draw in 2021 as travelers seek to satisfy their pent-up wanderlust.
National parks in the U.S. set visitation records in 2020 despite the challenges of COVID-19. Places like Yellowstone, Yosemite and the Grand Canyon saw more guests than ever before. This trend is expected to continue as more Americans opt for road trips over flights. RV rentals and campground reservations are already off the charts for 2021. Forget crowded cities, travelers want to commune with nature.
Beaches may be less crowded as well. Many travelers avoided flying to tropical locales in 2020 but may head back to the shores in 2021. Uncrowded sands await in Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America. Seeking solitude, groups are chartering yachts or booking private villas. Family reunions and girlfriend getaways at secluded beach houses will be popular.
Adventure travel is also poised for a comeback after the events of 2020. Hiking, biking, kayaking and climbing offer natural social distancing. Tour operators say booking are way up for group trips that involve being active outdoors. Destinations like Costa Rica, Patagonia and Norway will benefit from this surge. Multi-week guided expeditions will allow travelers to get their fix of adrenaline and endorphins.
'Glamping' - upscale camping with comfy beds and gourmet food - is on the rise as well. Travelers want nature without fully roughing it. At luxe campsites, you can sleep under the stars then freshen up in a private bathroom. These "glampgrounds" are popping up worldwide, letting visitors enjoy the outdoors in total comfort.
Workations - working remotely from a scenic destination - will also be common. Imagine taking your laptop to a charming mountain town or quiet beach community with reliable WiFi. You can hike on your lunch break and unwind on the weekends. These long-stay adventures blend work, rest and recreation beautifully.
In Europe, look for increased demand for walking tours, cycling trips, canal-barge cruises and mountain getaways. Hiking through the Alps or biking from vineyard to vineyard will appeal after lockdowns. Australia and New Zealand will be optimistic as well if bubbles open for international travel. Their wide open landscapes and outdoor lifestyle will be major draws.
Bucket List Bonanza: 2021's Hottest Travel Trends for the Post-Pandemic World - Small Town Charm Rising
Bucket List Bonanza: 2021's Hottest Travel Trends for the Post-Pandemic World - Workations Gain Steam
Bucket List Bonanza: 2021's Hottest Travel Trends for the Post-Pandemic World - The Return of the Road Trip
Bucket List Bonanza: 2021's Hottest Travel Trends for the Post-Pandemic World - Heritage Tourism Heats Up
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Bucket List Bonanza: 2021's Hottest Travel Trends for the Post-Pandemic World - Slow Travel Takes Hold
After being stuck at home for months on end, many travelers are opting for a slower, more mindful approach to travel in 2021. Slow travel is the antithesis of rushed, check-the-boxes tourism. It’s about immersing yourself in a destination and getting to know it on a deeper level. With slower travel, the journey takes center stage rather than the destination.
According to surveys, today’s travelers want more meaningful experiences that allow them to truly connect with a place and its people. The rise in popularity of slow travel speaks to this desire for more authentic, engaged travel. Simply zipping through a checklist of sights is no longer enough for many.
Slow travel means taking the scenic route, venturing off the beaten path and lingering longer in fewer places. It’s the road less traveled. Travelers using this approach may spend a week or more in a single area instead of constantly moving around. The focus is on quality over quantity of experiences. Getting into a routine and living like a local are hallmarks of this style of travel.
Immersing yourself in the culture and daily rhythms of a place results in a much more profound trip. Activities like hiking, biking and walking allow travelers to soak up their surroundings versus merely watching them pass by through a car or bus window. Slow travel is active travel. It engages all the senses and opens you up to new people, foods and lifestyles.
Popular destinations for slow travel include tropical coasts, mountain towns, rolling countryside and anywhere with a laidback vibe. Think Tuscany, Costa Rica or Vermont rather than massive metropolises. Slow travel is ideal for exploring small towns and villages where life moves at a more relaxed pace. Here you’ll find cozy cafes, colorful markets and quiet backroads that seem made for meandering walks or bike rides.
The slow travel philosophy is beneficial for the traveler as well as the community. Tourists who take time to get to know a place tend to be more respectful and appreciative. They spend more in locally-owned shops and restaurants, providing an economic boost. Quick in-and-out tourism often brings more disruption than dollars.
The past year has changed how many people want to experience travel. Slowing down allows them to press pause from rushed daily life and be mindfully present. After so much time isolated at home, travelers are chasing a sense of connection. Bonding with locals and forging relationships with places brings deep fulfillment.
Slow travel has been growing for years, but expect even more interest in 2021 and beyond. Tour companies are catering to this market with suggestions for immersive itineraries that foster engagement with destinations. Expect volunteering, workshops, homestays and other hands-on experiences to be popular.
Bucket List Bonanza: 2021's Hottest Travel Trends for the Post-Pandemic World - Domestic Destinations Dominate
With so much uncertainty still surrounding international travel, domestic destinations will take center stage in 2021. After a year of quarantines and border closures, American travelers are looking closer to home for their vacation fixes. From coast to coast, a wealth of spectacular scenery awaits right here in the U.S.
America’s national parks saw record visitation in 2020 despite the challenges of COVID-19. Places like Yellowstone, Yosemite and the Grand Canyon will continue to draw crowds in 2021. RV rentals and campground reservations are already off the charts. Our national parks provide access to stunning natural beauty with solid visitor infrastructure. Travelers feel safer sticking closer to home while getting their nature fix.
Beaches may be less crowded as well now that many Americans are staying domestic versus flying to tropical hotspots. Plentiful peace and space awaits along the shores of Florida, California, Hawaii, the Carolina beaches and the Jersey Shore. These summer favorites expect booming business after travel dropped off in 2020. Whether you want luxurious resorts or old-fashioned boardwalks, iconic American beach towns have it all.
Cool mountain escapes like Aspen, Telluride, Park City, Vermont and North Carolina's High Country also anticipate more visitors. Fresh mountain air and outdoor recreation provide natural social distancing. Hiking, biking, fishing and just relaxing in an Adirondack chair are the perfect pandemic vacation activities. Check availability at cozy lodges, cabins and second homes.
Outdoor urban escapes near major cities will boom as well. Think hiking in Topanga Canyon near Los Angeles or kayaking along the Hudson River from Manhattan. These natural playgrounds offer plenty of fun close to home. You can spend the day on the trails then enjoy city creature comforts at night.
Don't overlook the heartland's wide open spaces. Nebraska's Sandhills, Iowa's Loess Hills and the badlands of North Dakota are ripe for road trips. Famous roads like Route 66 and the Blue Ridge Parkway epitomize the romance of American road travel. Load up the car, queue the tunes and hit the highway. Small town diners and mom-and-pop motels add to the nostalgia.
America's cities also hope to attract more visitors in 2021 by spotlighting outdoor attractions, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods and restaurant patios. Once travelers feel comfortable dining indoors, buzzing urban energy will be a major draw. Until then, cities are adapting to the pandemic with more outdoor options.