Travelling after 2020: can we predict the future of Hospitality

The travel industry has suffered enormously from the consequences of Covid-19: flight cancellations, hotels closing down and millions of job losses are part of the new normality we are all living in. 2020 had an unparalleled impact on our private lives and on the way we travel: many have put their travel plans on hold while waiting for better days, while others did not renounce to a short getaway during these difficult times. Either way, recent surveys show that people who can, will want to catch up on missed travel opportunities when the crisis subsides.

Prediction and Traveling trends for the Year 2021

Traveling is predicted to permanently change due to the impact of the crisis, but how?
Although it is not possible to precisely predict the developments of the travel industry, by looking at how the Coronavirus crises changed the way we travelled in 2020, we can possibly estimate the way we will travel tomorrow.

One thing is sure: we will travel again, and we will do it better.

5 Top tourism and travel trends for 2021:

1. More flexibility
2. Local and Rural is better
3. Conscious travelling
4. Safety first
5. Short-term rentals professionals like Guestia

1) More flexibility

Anyone who’s planned a trip or even held flight tickets anytime over the past year will be familiar with the uncertainty that comes along with daily travel restriction changes and entry requirement updates. The necessity to offer flexible solutions, last-minute cancellations and last-minute bookings have become a must for the travel sector during the pandemic and many tourism professionals have changed their policies in order to consent more flexibility to travellers.

2) Local and Rural is better

Differences in domestic and foreign lockdown measures, flight cancellations, as well as the attempt to avoid the spread of Covid-19 have led many people to choose domestic locations for their getaways. During the pandemic we rediscover the beauty of our home countries contributing to help locals’ communities. 2020 has also been characterized by the rediscovery of rural areas: according to Vrbo 61% of US families are likely to visit an outdoorsy destination than an urban one in the future.

3) Conscious travelling

The rise in conscious travel comes as the awareness of climate change increases, with more and more tourists choosing to travel mindfully, respecting local communities and considering the impact of their carbon footprint. During the pandemic no option but travelling in sustainable ways was possible: with about 8 in 10 flights globally cancelled during spring, global levels of nitrogen dioxide reached a low. Many tourists not only rediscover their surroundings choosing local destinations, but during the time of social distancing nature breaks became appealing. As a result of this, previously clogged beaches and jam-packed streets were left empty, giving wildlife greater freedom to flourish.

4) Safety first

As already mentioned, tourists felt more confident about traveling to places where it was possible to maintain social distancing and where contact with other people could be minimized or controlled to lower the risk of infection. Moreover, Covid-19 increased scrutiny on cleanliness, requiring businesses to enhance their safety protocols guaranteeing high levels of sanitation and aeration of the spaces. Health and safety precautions are now a more significant factor in where tourists choose to stay than price.

5) Short-term rentals professionals like Guestia

Throughout 2020, alternative accommodations such as farm stays, vacation rentals in rural areas and tiny houses in the woods, gained a significant leg up on traditional lodging. Short-term rentals managed by professionals, in particular, were able to guarantee social distancing, contactless solutions and high levels of cleanliness. This type of stays allows tourists to benefit from the high-quality standards of traditional lodging without missing out on the flexibility and cosiness of Airbnb accommodations.

Guestia is based in Austria and has already hosted more than 50.000 guests all over Europe guaranteeing quality stays for both hosts and guests. The company is committed to build the future of hospitality with customized solutions for hosts and unforgettable experiences for guests. If you are planning to visit Europe in the post-Covid era, you may want to stay at Guestia to profit of the advantages of a home-sharing managed by professionals.