Given the vastly differing circumstances between continents, it is clear that recovery of travel will be varied and fragmented. But for all the uncertainties, we remain optimistic about the long-term future of travel. Amadeus hospitality data shows that traveller confidence is growing with a +60% increase in net reservations since the beginning of 2021.
As in all sectors, the key factor is innovation. From bubble resorts, to the rise of workcations and a new breed of sustainsustainably conscious consumers, the travel landscape is almost unrecognisable from that of previous years.
Predicting the future is more challenging than ever. But by calling on large swathes of data at our disposal, we have been able to identify some high-level trends. While the findings could evolve, there are clear indicators of what might lie in store for the rest of 2021 with the continued rollout of vaccines.
As we look to rebuild travel, here are three trends we see shaping travel through to August.
TRAVEL BUBBLES
Travel bubbles vary significantly in size, from individual COVID-safe properties to resorts – and, on a grander scale, safe travel corridors between nations. Meanwhile, individual hotels are promoting themselves as bubble resorts allowing guests to travel together in groups and enjoy a holiday together as long as they have a negative COVID test.
The Maldives are a case in point, with the country’s archipelago of secluded resorts allowing for physical distancing amid breathtaking views. We have seen a 66% increase in searches from around the world for two-week trips to the Maldives compared to the same period in 2019.
The bottom line here is that safety comes first. People from nations that have been successful in containing the pandemic are more comfortable traveling to countries with a similar record.
WORKCATIONS
The concept of working remotely from a coffee shop or a beach bar is not new, but the past year has democratised the dream. The new generation of digital nomads have left the office behind for a work-from-anywhere model. Some call it bleisure but we prefer to talk about the rise of the workcation.
Globally, we saw a 41% increase in the number of searches for 30-day stays, though the regions varied significantly. We can only see this trend expanding, as countries emerge from lockdowns and more weary workers release a pent-up desire to step away for a breath of fresh air.
The logic of workcations is compelling, as they allow travellers to book flights at times of lower demand, saving themselves both money and stress. And for those whose lifestyles allow it, it is hard to ignore the allure of dialing in to the office from sunny idylls in Barbados, Anguilla and Croatia (all of which have launched schemes to attract nomadic workers).
CONSCIOUS TRAVEL
Our data indicates that people are researching their trips 27% earlier than before, than they did in the same period in 2019. This shows travellers are putting a lot of thought into planning their next trip – in terms of safety as well as being environmentally and socially conscious about their choices.
When it comes to personal safety, Amadeus data shows a triple digit increase in travel insurance purchases on bookings leading up to summer. This indicates that travellers are more conscious about their safety while traveling. Airlines and airports have responded to this ‘great safety awakening’ with more touchless technology and off-site check-in options such as Amadeus’ Safe Travel ecosystem.
Equally interesting is the surge in demand for car rentals. Amadeus mobility experts suggest that this could be a result of travellers wanting more personal safety and choosing to travel privately by car to their destination. This surge has put pressure on car rental companies that scaled back the number of vehicles on hand to reduce overhead last year at the height of the pandemic.
When it comes to being more environmentally and socially conscious, Amadeus research shows that one
third of millennials would like to see more availability of sustainable travel options and ways to reduce their carbon emissions when travelling. It was a similar story across all ages and global markets, with one in four sharing this commitment to conscious travel.
This puts the travel industry in a position of great responsibility. Consumers are looking to make sustainable and more conscious choices and as travel picks up, there will be more pressure on the industry to identify exactly what is being done to protect the planet and understand how travel is positively impacting local communities.
