15 Key Travel Trends for 2021
If 2020 taught us anything, it’s not to make predictions. Still, travelers rightfully have questions about what travel will look like this year amid vaccine news and pent‑up demand. What will travel look like in 2021, and when can we do it safely and without restrictions?
From digital vaccine cards to close‑to‑home river cruising, here’s what you should know about the trends that will shape travel in the year ahead.
Editor's note: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is still urging Americans not to travel. If you do plan to travel before the CDC’s recommendation changes, be sure to follow all local and government regulations and incorporate COVID‑19 tests into your pre‑ and post‑trip planning.
1. River cruising will return before mainline cruising
River cruising, especially in the U.S., is set to resume before mainstream cruise lines. Smaller crowds make it easier to enforce health protocols, say experts. Corina Quinn, city guides director at Condé Nast Traveler, notes that river cruises are more manageable for screening and contact tracing. She predicts rising interest in U.S. river destinations such as the Mississippi, the Great Lakes, and the Columbia River Gorge.
Kristin Karst, executive vice president and co‑founder of AmaWaterways, reports strong bookings for 2021, particularly for summer and fall itineraries. Mainline and international cruising are expected to re‑open later in the year, with shorter, controlled sailings focused on a few ports or private islands to create a “bubble.”
Expect changes such as reduced buffet lines, technology‑driven services, fewer guests, deck reconfigurations, mandatory testing or vaccination proof, intensified cleaning, and premium port excursions.
- Related: 10 Epic Family Vacation Ideas for After the Pandemic
2. Spring break travel will be quiet, summer travel busy
With mass vaccination projected for the summer, spring break will remain subdued while summer will see a surge. Honeymoon hotels, campgrounds, and rail vacations are already filling up from Memorial Day onward. Travelers using 2020 travel credits are driving demand, says Thomas Carpenter of Huckleberry Travel.
Organizations such as Vacations By Rail, RVC Outdoor Destinations, and Togo RV report unprecedented bookings for the second half of 2021, while Honeymoon Islands notes a scarcity of resort availability.
3. The average trip length will become longer
Flexible work‑from‑home policies are encouraging “Zoom Towns” and extended stays. Evolve Vacation Rental’s CEO, Brian Egan, sees double the 2021 bookings for stays over 10 nights compared to 2020. Popular long‑stay destinations include Arizona’s Scottsdale, Tucson, and Phoenix, as well as island locales like Hilton Head, Marco Island, and Kailua‑Kona.
Hotels are experimenting with monthly rates; Anyplace reports a 200 % rise in monthly rental inquiries, and D. Alexander’s “Destination Isolation” campaign offers two‑week or longer stays with flexible terms.
- Related: New Travel Startup Helps You Choose a Family Vacation Rental
4. A digital vaccination passport will likely be required for international trips
Experts agree that digital proof of vaccination will become essential for international travel and cruises. Peter Lavelle of Byevisa notes that the International Air Transport Association (IATA) is testing a travel pass app that will allow passengers to verify entry requirements and store vaccine data, with a launch target of March’s end.
Major airlines such as United and JetBlue are piloting the CommonPass health‑passport platform to confirm test results.
5. Booking flexibility will remain a priority
Flexibility is now a baseline expectation. Across cruises, tours, hotels, campgrounds, rentals, and airlines, companies are offering transparent cancellation, refund, and rebooking policies. Intrepid Travel allows fee‑free changes 21 days before departure, while AmaWaterways permits rescheduling through 2023 for bookings made before January 31.
U.S. airlines eliminated change fees in 2020, and most international carriers are expected to maintain waivers through year‑end. Travelers appreciate the ability to adapt plans amid shifting restrictions.
- Related: Travel Insurance for Post‑COVID‑19 Family Trips
6. Consider hiring a travel advisor
Travel advisors are well‑connected and up‑to‑date on entry protocols, testing, and consumer protection. Thomas Carpenter explains that advisors act as advocates if complications arise and can secure preferred pricing and amenities.
7. Outdoor travel will stay popular
Interest in mountain retreats and nature‑connected destinations remains high. Evolve Vacation Rental highlights the Great Smoky Mountains, Colorado, and the new West Virginia National Park, New River Gorge. Roger Wilson of Adventures on the Gorge predicts a 20‑25 % visitor increase after the designation.
Overcrowding may prompt more parks to implement reservation systems, similar to Yosemite and Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Parks.
RVs and campers continue to surge: 74 % of Togo RV readers plan more RV trips in 2021, and the RV Industry Association forecasts a nearly 20 % rise in shipments. RVshare and other rental platforms report steady growth.
- Related: The 12 Best National Park Lodges in the USA
8. International travel will roll out slowly
Mexico and the Caribbean will likely be the first destinations to reopen, thanks to proximity and early reopening measures. Canada’s border is expected to see increased demand once it safely opens.
Europe and other far‑off regions remain uncertain; many niche routes are unlikely to resume in 2021, according to analyst Jamie Larounis of UpgradedPoints. Study‑abroad programs may shift to domestic exchanges or virtual internships, says Adriana Smith of Travepreneur.
9. Pandemic‑era health and safety practices will persist
Enhanced sanitation, contactless touchpoints, mobile ordering, air filtration, mandatory masks, health screenings, and capacity limits will remain standard in cruise ships, hotels, rentals, theme parks, and airlines. At‑home testing kits and airport testing centers may become an added amenity.
Travel insurance demand is rising; some hotels, like Viva Wyndham All‑Inclusive Resorts, now offer complimentary coverage for direct bookings.
- Related: How to Clean an Airplane Seat and Other Germy Surfaces on the Plane
10. The motel comeback story continues
Motels are increasingly attractive for their naturally social‑distanced layout—drive‑up rooms and exterior corridors minimize communal contact. Red Lion Hotels’ CEO, John Russell, highlights this advantage.
Road‑trip enthusiasts are discovering unique roadside motels via Instagram accounts such as @aprettycoolhoteltour.
11. Families will prioritize multigenerational trips
With postponed vacations and vaccinated grandparents, interest in family‑centric itineraries has risen. Intrepid Travel notes that a quarter of its top 25 itineraries in the past three months are family‑themed, up from 12 % last year.
Vacation rentals, with ample bedrooms and outdoor space, remain the preferred venue for reunions. Disney Cruise Line is also appealing, offering safe entertainment and modern ships at competitive rates.
- Related: 6 Great Resorts for Multigenerational Family Travel
12. Deal‑hunters will find plenty of bargains
Airlines and travel providers are offering compelling sales to attract bookings. JetBlue, Southwest, and Emirates released discounted fares in early 2021, and hotels and cruises are expected to follow. Pricing will likely stay below pre‑pandemic levels, contingent on vaccine rollout speed.
13. Points and loyalty programs will be rebalanced
To counter the influx of points, airlines and hotels are shifting from fixed award charts to dynamic pricing. While this may limit high‑end redemptions, it keeps programs viable for consumers.
- Related: The 17 Best Flight Booking Sites for Travelers
14. More last‑minute trips are expected
Flexible policies and the need to accommodate testing or vaccination schedules are driving last‑minute bookings. Expedia reports an average U.S. flight booking horizon of 29 days, the first time it dropped below 30 in years.
Travel advisors recommend booking two to four weeks in advance to allow for testing and other requirements.
15. Things will get better
The industry is set to recover. New hotel openings—such as three major properties in Austin and seven international sites from EDITION Hotels—along with fresh itineraries from Intrepid Travel and expanded attractions at Florida’s theme parks, signal a rebound. While masks, hand sanitizer, and vaccination cards may still be part of the experience, the future looks brighter.
