Travel in 2021 will evolve to be more creative as several restrictions will continue to be lifted. The new year will bring with itself newfound possibilities of exploring local attractions, travelling the off-beat paths in our own country, embracing the outdoors like never before and so many other things. Travellers now have a refreshed awareness of sustainability and ethical travelling. So, in case, you were wondering what the future holds for us in the new year, we are listing down few travel trends that will become popular in 2021.
1. What’s your bucket list?
Have you seen the movie starring Jack Nicolson and Morgan Freeman? It’s time to say what you need to say and be where you need to be. As many plans were destroyed by Covid-19, and we have acknowledged the value of life and freedom, a bucket list is going to be the biggest trend of 2021. These are the things you want to do before you leave this earth forever. With the restrictions around the virus changing every day, you have a lot more time in your hands to do in-depth planning and saving for that dream trip you’ve always talked about. The travel industry has become more than flexible with cancellation policies, so this is the time for you. Time is fleeting, is your list ready yet?
2. Be safe, Travel Domestic!
To deal with the unpredictability of foreign borders policies, travellers are turning inward and are choosing to explore their own country more. There are a lot of breathtaking places in India. This is the time to visit remote locations, go on hikes, trek till your feet ache and find sceneries that make your heart full. 2021 is about going inward, finding yourself, going back to basics, and exploring domestically.
3. Traveling is an investment
With the pandemic scare, we gained a lot of perspective about what we value the most, and what’s important to us. People are likely to see travel as an investment for self-wellbeing, more than a luxury. They have acknowledged the restorative power that spending time outdoors can have. Ancient Japanese practices like Shinrin-Yoku, also known as forest bathing, which is an immersive forest experience to heal your soul, is now available in your favourite eco-resort near Mumbai and Pune.
Travel will now become an investment to broaden the perspective, meet new people, experience cultures and uncover culinary gems. So spend a longer period in your favourite destination, to explore and experience the place completely.
4. Travelling sustainably
2021 will see people rethinking the way they see tourism and opt for sustainable travel. Each traveller is bound by a moral code to reduce their carbon footprint, and not litter and harm the environment. We at the machan, have been following the principles of sustainability from our inception.
The biggest trend of 2021 is going to be people embracing off-grid travelling. Find your favourite cabin in the woods, and cut off from the world. This, in turn, will promote slow and remote travel plans. In 2021, people will choose to stay at one place for a longer period to experience the culture, travel more deeply, stimulate local businesses, and be responsible guests, and much more.
5. Sanitized travel spaces
The travel industry and tourists have become more careful about safety and cleanliness ever since the pandemic began. 2021 will see more PCR tests on arrival, mandatory masks, sanitization being the top-most priority, and cleaner surroundings. Even tourists will be more aware of the places that they are staying at, what they are eating, and reviewing places that they are choosing. At the machan, we take various precautions to keep our guests safe, and our treehouses well sanitized. This is why we are considered one of the best resorts in Lonavala in the current scenario.
SOLO TRAVEL: The solo travel trend is likely to gain even greater momentum. Since travel was steamrolled by the pandemic this year, the coming year will likely nudge travellers to wander on their own. After all, solo travelling is possibly the most socially distant way of travelling right now. If people do decide to travel in groups, it is highly likely that now people will travel in smaller groups and with people they closely know.
Travel Bubble: Travel Bubble is an agreement between two or more countries that open their borders to each other only. This helps enable travel between countries while keeping in mind all the health restrictions and safety of local and international citizens. This is a trend that will continue to evolve in 2021 also, possibly on a smaller scale. Right now, India has travel bubble arrangements with several nations.