While we might not be able to jet across the globe to our fantasy destination right now without restrictions, there’s nothing wrong with planning ahead and daydreaming for those days when the world will once again be our oyster to devour.
So what’s changed since last year? Trusted travel advisors will play a crucial role in future travel bookings moving forward in 2021. Well informed advice and recommendations along with experts who can make the best use of all the technology and platforms available will become essential to your sojourn.
We spoke to some of the top award-winning international bespoke advisors in the business for hot tips, trends and to find out where people are most likely headed, and how they will be hitting the road when travel restrictions lift.
Scott Dunn: USA President John Spence
What emerging trends are you seeing in the global market?
“This year more than ever, travelers booking vacations gravitated towards hotels and destinations they have already experienced once before and feel a certain level of comfortability with. Whether it’s staying at their favorite hotel or resort or revisiting beloved restaurants and spas, travelers want to know what to expect and support the places that have a special place in their hearts. We’ve also noticed that travelers do not want to be tied to reservations and fees associated with cancelations, so last-minute bookings will continue to be sought after.”
Which locations are becoming more popular and why?
“Wide open spaces will continue to be one of the most valuable assets of travel in 2021. We launched our domestic itineraries this year due to the demand of road trips and drivable travel, specifically in our Western US and Canada itineraries. These locations lend themselves naturally to social distancing given their vast landscapes and options for adventurous outdoor activities.”
“Now that people have become accustomed to working and learning remotely, we’ve received many more inquiries for long haul travel itineraries for families and couples. There is more flexibility to visit some of the more far-flung destinations and check off bucket list adventures through experiences like a four-month adventure through Africa.”
Black Tomato: Co-Founder Tom Marchant
What requests are you seeing from clients at this time?
“‘Working from Anywhere’ provides an opportunity for destinations to become inspiring backdrops for longer, extremely private stays. The past six months have seen a surge in demand for these kinds of experiences, and that’s why we created a platform, Space + Time, offering uncompromisingly private ways to travel, from islands, yachts and villas to private jets.”
“In 2021, we believe that travelers will take fewer internal flights and become more ‘grounded’ by car, train, foot or bicycle. This could manifest by flying into one destination and then taking ground transport to explore the surrounding area, rather than making multiple flights across the itinerary. Travelers can deliberately take longer with their journey because the transfers are slower, allowing them to dwell in the landscape and soak up the atmosphere more intentionally.”
“One way to put this to practice will be the newly opened, luxurious Vietage train through Central Vietnam, taking in Danang, Quy Nhon, Hue and finishing in Hoi An. In Europe, Sicily is a wonderful option for a culturally rich experience best absorbed by driving, cycling or walking.”
Which locations are the most sought after or emerging?
“We’ve seen a huge uptick in requests and bookings for both Egypt and Costa Rica. While these locations are vastly different in topography, they can be done in very private, very safe ways, such as an itinerary we launched that starts off cruising in a privately chartered dahabiya down the Nile.”
“There’s massive appetite in the short term to the Caribbean, Mexico, French Polynesia, Maldives. Other countries include Uruguay where we’ve uncovered an amazing new region called Pueblo Eden, dubbed the ‘Tuscany of Uruguay.’ Vietnam, the Lyngen Alps of Norway (where we’re opening an exclusive new lodge called Aurora Lodge), Sicily, Croatia, Sri Lanka and Namibia are also on our hot list.”
Are you seeing a trend in giving back while traveling to remote locations?
“One silver lining of the world coming to a standstill is the dramatically positive effect on wildlife and the environs that make up their home. Driven by the need for climate action and inspired by the unprecedented regeneration of wildlife worldwide, the travel industry is responding by redefining conservation and eco-travel with experiences that are not merely observational, but involve working on existing projects that will have long-lasting, positive impact. In Costa Rica, our clients will be able to meet scientists at Proyecto Assist and contribute to research on sloth conservation, as well as participate in coral reef regeneration through Bahia Culebra’s Coral Reef Propagation Project at the Four Seasons Papagayo.”
Abercrombie & Kent: VP Product Development & Operations, Stefanie Schmudde
What are you seeing on the travel horizon for 2021?
“This is Africa’s moment. Going on safari offers wide open spaces and privacy at the small boutique camps we recommend. Egypt is the world’s largest open-air museum, one of the few places where you can explore wonders of the ancient world in a remarkable state of preservation. An increasing number of guests have expressed interest in combining tours of Egypt with Israel and Jordan—when borders reopen.”
“Domestically, guests are booking winter adventures like tracking wolves in Yellowstone, flightseeing over Grand Teton National Park or a chance to follow the Iditarod racers by dogsled and see the Northern Lights in Alaska.”
“Exclusivity, privacy and special access are more in demand than ever before, especially private villas and charter barges in Europe, booked for exclusive use by a family or group of friends.”
Brown + Hudson: Founder, Philippe Brown and author of REVISIT, The New Art & Science of Luxury Travel
How will we approach travel in 2021?
“META travel—travel that teaches you to travel smarter—will come into its own. Expect a greater focus on travel as a therapeutic tool, with travel advisors going beyond the product and a quick-sell to share insights in new realms like wellbeing, happiness, flow, creativity, play and transformation.”
What types of trips and to which locations are increasing in popularity?
“Multi-generational trips are big at the moment—planning three or four trips in one to remote destinations. Yacht charters and private islands are in great demand from the Maldives, the Azores, Iceland, Greenland and Pantelleria.”
“Our Luxpedition concept provides stunning remote locations and makes physical challenges feasible by incorporating moments of surprising luxury into the expedition. Think glamping in some of the world’s most stunningly beautiful settings such as New Zealand, Scandinavia, Patagonia or Mongolia.”
What are some of the more unusual itineraries you are booking?
“Our Great Game concept is a unique way of bringing a family together with a common competitive goal. Imagine a 10-day in-country escape game room. We work with the family to define the game, the areas of competition (language, creativity, extroversion, treasure hunt, local knowledge) and work with a noted games designer to create an experience that allows everyone to discover a place.”
“We’ve also noticed a significant increase in families wanting to focus on the topic of happiness. Often Scandinavia offers the perfect backdrop, so we apply the principles and research conducted by Dr. Sonja Lyubormisrsky and involve people like Meik Wiking of the Happiness Institute. The objective is to equip our clients with the tools to increase their benchmark happiness levels in seven days and more importantly durably in their life back home.”
Any advice for someone who is hesitant about booking now?
“Start planning something, anything. Research has shown that the anticipation phase of travel, before you head to an airport, can generate almost as much ‘free’ happiness as the trip itself.”
