Table of Contents
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- 1. Rise of the Staycation
- 2. Power of the Outdoors
- 3. Maintaining Social Distance
- 4. Take it Slow
- 5. Focus on Wellness
- 6. Travelling more Sustainably
- 7. Supporting Local Communities
- 8. Action Your Bucket List
3. Maintaining Social Distance
6. Travelling more Sustainably
7. Supporting Local Communities
Updated on May 2nd, 2024
After 30 years & 6 continents, travel is my passion. However, after a year of being grounded, it has given me time to reflect & think deeply about the future of the industry I love. The world has changed & how we travel is changing too. Here is my complete guide to the key trends & travel destinations, 2021.”
After 30 years & 6 continents, travel is my passion. However, after a year of being grounded, it has given me time to reflect & think deeply about the future of the industry I love. The world has changed & how we travel is changing too. Here is my complete guide to the key trends & travel destinations, 2021.”
After 30 years & 6 continents, travel is my passion. However, after a year of being grounded, it has given me time to reflect & think deeply about the future of the industry I love. The world has changed & how we travel is changing too. Here is my complete guide to the key trends & travel destinations, 2021.”
Where?
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Wherever it is safe & when it is safe to go there!
Wherever it is safe & when it is safe to go there!
Why?
A lot has changed in the world over the course of this new decade, & we’re only a year in! We have realised that travelling is a privilege & not a right. Lessons were learned about the power of nature & the impact it has when we just leave it alone for a while. For once the world has been united against one common enemy. We remain in the grips of a global pandemic & although we now have a vaccine, it will be a long time before we can confidently say that we have won.
Lessons were learned
But as we begin 2021, we need to get moving again…when we can. Don’t get me wrong, I am not advocating anything that is not safe. Safety is paramount. Travel remains a risk. Our borders may be closed & our dream destinations could remain out of reach for some time yet. But the world is also opening up & the tourism industry is on its knees.
Three per cent of the world’s population relies on travel for their livelihoods, that’s at least 98 million people around the globe! There are vast swathes of the planet with limited other income streams. When safaris put their brakes on, the rangers lose their jobs & the poachers move in. What happens to our Caribbean paradise islands when the cruise ships are no longer docking?
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However, we can do it safely & protect each other in the process. It is everyone’s individual responsibility to stay safe.
So, know the rules, be flexible, have insurance, get tests, take the vaccine & make safety your priority. And then start planning which of these will be top of your travel destinations for 2021…”
So, know the rules, be flexible, have insurance, get tests, take the vaccine & make safety your priority. And then start planning which of these will be top of your travel destinations for 2021…”
So, know the rules, be flexible, have insurance, get tests, take the vaccine & make safety your priority. And then start planning which of these will be top of your travel destinations for 2021…”
8 Key Trends & Travel Destinations 2021
1. Rise of the Staycation
Like many people, last year I realised that there are still so many beautiful places to discover close to home. For you, it may have been hiking in the National Parks or taking a road trip. Both were the perfect way to explore at our own place & remain socially distanced. 2020 gave us the chance to see parts of our local environment that may have been new or unappreciated before. For me, it was a trip around the spectacular Scottish Highlands & Islands. I left with a desire to see so much more!
Scottish Highlands & Islands
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This year the trend looks set to carry on as domestic travel continues to surge. Many popular tourist spots are suffering from the lack of international tourism, allowing us to have these gems to ourselves for once! I benefitted from visiting several of the Royal Palaces in London for the first time, without the crowds. My plans for travel in 2021 in the UK involve lots of hiking.
Royal Palaces
London
I would love to take a few days to walk the Thames Path, head to Wales & a return trip for the North Coast 500 in Scotland is on the cards. Fingers crossed at least!”
I would love to take a few days to walk the Thames Path, head to Wales & a return trip for the North Coast 500 in Scotland is on the cards. Fingers crossed at least!”
I would love to take a few days to walk the Thames Path, head to Wales & a return trip for the North Coast 500 in Scotland is on the cards. Fingers crossed at least!”
head to Wales
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2. Power of the Outdoors
The past year has given us all a new appreciation of the great outdoors. Therefore, we need to seek out places to travel in 2021 which give us access to nature. There is no better place to experience this than Kenya. Since reopening its borders in August, their response has been impressive, making visitors feel safe to travel. If you have dreamed of taking a safari, then maybe 2021 is the time to do it. After all, you may get the wildlife all to yourself!
The essence of New Zealand is to enjoy the outdoors. I revisited after 20 years away & was blown away by the beauty of the South Island. They have managed COVID brilliantly, mainly by keeping everyone out. It is still unclear when the borders will open wider than a corridor with Australia. It will likely be longer if your home country has high COVID numbers. But maybe it is time to start dreaming & saving for a visit towards the end of the year. I can think of nowhere better to brush off those cobwebs.
New Zealand
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Check out my post on the drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound & the ultimate guide to Milford Sound to see more.
Te Anau to Milford Sound
ultimate guide to Milford Sound
ultimate guide to Milford Sound
In addition, I hope to return to Ireland to explore the Wild Atlantic Way further. In 2019, I was blown away (both literally & figuratively!) by the beauty of this raw & rugged paradise.
Wild Atlantic Way
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3. Maintaining Social Distance
The term social distancing was alien to most of us at the start of this decade but now it is one of the most widely understood terms across the globe. So, if you are wanting to take this to the extreme then why not consider some of the world’s most remote places for your top travel destinations in 2021?
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At the tip of South America, spanning both Argentina & Chile, lies Patagonia. If your idea of social distancing involves glaciers, mountains, waterfalls & unique flora & fauna, then you are heading in the right direction!”
At the tip of South America, spanning both Argentina & Chile, lies Patagonia. If your idea of social distancing involves glaciers, mountains, waterfalls & unique flora & fauna, then you are heading in the right direction!”
At the tip of South America, spanning both Argentina & Chile, lies Patagonia. If your idea of social distancing involves glaciers, mountains, waterfalls & unique flora & fauna, then you are heading in the right direction!”
South America
Argentina
There are plenty of spectacular hiking options such as El Chatén in Argentina or Torres del Paine in Chile. Alternatively, follow my footsteps & hike on the awe-inspiring Perito Moreno glacier.
Perito Moreno glacier
If you prefer somewhere a bit warmer with your isolation, then why not head for Namibia? It contains the Namib desert, the largest & oldest desert in the world. However, it is home to only 2.6 million people so there are plenty of opportunities to find yourself alone. Namibia has lots to offer travellers such as the amazing wildlife in Etosha National Park & otherworldly landscapes of Sossusvlei.
Namibia
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For somewhere a little more relaxing & luxurious, why not consider the Maldives or Seychelles? The islands by their nature offer secluded, socially distanced accommodation. In addition, there is now a strict set of COVID regulations going above & beyond to make you feel safe. One Maldives resort even has complementary PCR tests included in the package! Both are on my list…maybe 2021 is the year?
4. Take it Slow
I am an advocate of taking your time to get to know a location rather than rushing to tick it off & move on. I love a road trip, would always rather take a ferry than a plane & will often spend a month in a country to get under its skin. 2020 has been the year that we all slowed down a bit & realised the pleasure in just catching our breath. For 2021, that is reflected in the way people are planning holidays.
Gone are the times of staying in a hotel for one night, before gathering your stuff & moving on. We are currently searching out more apartment-style accommodation & staying put for days, if not weeks. As well as hitting the road, another slow travel option is to try your hand at sailing. I have so far had a love/hate relationship with learning to sail. Yacht Ibis offers holidays for singles wanting to discover the Caribbean or Mediterranean slowly. Maybe 2021 is the year I dive back in the deep end.
learning to sail
Yacht Ibis
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Last year the world also realised the benefits of working from home. And who says home actually means the specific place you live? More & more people are opting for “home” being life as a digital nomad, or a “workation” at least for a few months.”
Last year the world also realised the benefits of working from home. And who says home actually means the specific place you live? More & more people are opting for “home” being life as a digital nomad, or a “workation” at least for a few months.”
Last year the world also realised the benefits of working from home. And who says home actually means the specific place you live? More & more people are opting for “home” being life as a digital nomad, or a “workation” at least for a few months.”
A number of countries are now offering longer-term remote working visas. Have you ever considered Iceland, Estonia or Croatia for example? Or how about the Caribbean? Fancy relocating for a while to the Cayman Islands, Barbados, or my favourite Antigua & Barbuda?
Iceland
Estonia
Cayman Islands
Antigua
Barbuda
Why not consider your trip as the perfect time to learn a new skill? For all the inspiration you need on Adult Learning Vacations, check out my blog post.
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5. Focus on Wellness
It feels like we have stumbled into a new decade which has left many people stressed & anxious. You may have used the time to focus on your fitness or just let it slide. Either way, when planning where to travel in 2021, why not recharge some healthy habits at a wellness retreat? Lonely Planet has compiled an excellent list of recommended destinations which allow you to get fit & be pampered while also satisfying your wanderlust.
Lonely Planet
Lonely Planet
I have always found wellness retreats a great way to recharge & have my fingers crossed that I will attend one in Iceland (postponed from last year). Wherever you decide to indulge, there will be no better way to reinvigorate yourself & your travels in 2021.
a great way to recharge
Iceland
As an alternative why not combine fitness, nature & being remote by taking on a physical challenge? In 2019, I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to celebrate turning 50. It was, without doubt, the most mentally & physically challenging thing I have ever put my body through but worth every moment for the view from the “Roof of Africa”. Don’t fancy anything quite as big but equally as epic? Why not try the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?
Mount Kilimanjaro
Inca Trail
Inca Trail
Machu Picchu
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6. Travelling more Sustainably
The impact we are having on our environment has never been brought into greater focus. So why not add one of these to your list of places to travel in 2021?
Costa Rica has one of the lowest fatalities from the pandemic in Central America & is considered a world leader in sustainability. There are plenty of opportunities to get away from it all while taking on adrenaline activities, hiking volcanoes, relaxing on beaches & having close encounters with the fascinating wildlife in this nature lover’s paradise.
Costa Rica
Back in 1992 I fell in love with Africa while on a 3-month overland trip. Back then Rwanda was home to precious memories from my encounter with the Mountain Gorillas but also some terrifying human ones as tensions there were building. Not long after, the horrific genocide put it on the map for all the wrong reasons. Nowadays however, Rwanda is a very different place with exceptional sustainability credentials.
Africa
They banned the use of plastic bags way back in 2008 & have long exercised controlled tourism (limiting access for the gorillas). In addition, Rwanda is now regarded as one of the safest countries for travel in Africa.”
They banned the use of plastic bags way back in 2008 & have long exercised controlled tourism (limiting access for the gorillas). In addition, Rwanda is now regarded as one of the safest countries for travel in Africa.”
They banned the use of plastic bags way back in 2008 & have long exercised controlled tourism (limiting access for the gorillas). In addition, Rwanda is now regarded as one of the safest countries for travel in Africa.”
For me? In 2017, National Geographic named Slovenia as the “World’s Most Sustainable Country” & Ljubljana is recognised as the Greenest Capital of Europe. Nestled between Italy, Austria & Croatia, it boasts castles, alpine villages, spectacular Lake Bled & one of the most beautiful forests in the world. If you haven’t been to this fairy tale setting yet, then maybe add it to your travel destinations for 2021. Join the queue…I’ve never been either!
7. Supporting Local Communities
Again, this year has brought into focus the importance of supporting local businesses & doing this when we travel is even more vital.
Think farmers markets vs supermarkets, individual coffee shops vs Starbucks. Buying handicrafts, clothing, accessories, artwork or toiletries are the perfect way to bring home memories of each trip you take.”
Think farmers markets vs supermarkets, individual coffee shops vs Starbucks. Buying handicrafts, clothing, accessories, artwork or toiletries are the perfect way to bring home memories of each trip you take.”
Think farmers markets vs supermarkets, individual coffee shops vs Starbucks. Buying handicrafts, clothing, accessories, artwork or toiletries are the perfect way to bring home memories of each trip you take.”
For accommodation, consider family run boutique hotels, apartments or Airbnb style homes instead of the big chain hotels. If you are worried about whether they are safe, check the most recent reviews, especially the cleanliness ratings. For more on travelling safely right now, then check out my blog post HERE.
HERE
You can often save money & benefit the community by opting to use local tour guides & organisations. Alternatively, travel with a company who has strong philanthropy credentials. I have taken a number of tours with G Adventures & each one includes a visit to a community project which is supported by Planeterra, their charitable foundation. I have so far used them for Peru, Costa Rica & the Galapagos Islands.
G Adventures
Planeterra
Peru
Costa Rica
Galapagos Islands
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8. Action Your Bucket List
Finally, now is the time to start planning those real Bucket List trips (or Life List as I like to call it). We cannot take our freedom for granted & those dream travel destinations in 2021 will be limiting numbers. Now is the perfect time to go! For example, The Galapagos Islands offer close encounters with overfriendly wildlife & landscapes that will blow your mind. For sustainable, socially distanced & remote travel, it’s hard to beat.
Life List
The Galapagos Islands
Also in South America, what about Peru with the legendary Machu Picchu, vast Amazon Rainforest & breathtaking Lake Titicaca? Or the Salar de Uyuni (Salt Flats) in Bolivia? There is nowhere better to feel like you are the only person for miles! Or for nature at its most powerful, how about a trip to Iguazu Falls?
Peru
Machu Picchu
Amazon Rainforest
Lake Titicaca
Salar de Uyuni
Iguazu Falls
I am still desperate to see Antarctica. Where better to immerse yourself in the remoteness of nature than the end of the planet? Wherever is on your Bucket List, there has never been a better time to make it happen.
To conclude, the world has changed. How we view the world has changed. That means how we see travel needs to change too. 2020 has allowed us to develop a newfound respect for nature, a desire to protect it & an understanding of its impact on our mental health. We long for meaningful travel experiences & interactions instead of a tick the box, Instagram focussed mentality. If we want the future to include travel & choice, then now is the time to start planning. The world will change & 2020 will be the turning point. I wish you safe travels.
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This post may contain affiliate links. By using these, Sue Where Why What may receive a small commission. You will not pay any extra charges for this. My opinions, reviews and recommendations remain my own. For more information see my disclosure.
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