The travel trends that influenced the way travel was conducted last year will dominate 2021 and the rest of the year too. Seemingly so, low cost airlines will do everything to get more passengers on board planes without charging any exorbitant cancellation or change of flight charges. Before committing to booking a trip, travellers will want assurance that cruise, hotel or tour cancellation can be made without penalties. Last-minute getaways will be on the rise. Thus, the time taken to book a big vacation in advance will be reduced considerably compared to pre-pandemic period. This obviously is due to the uncertainty looming in at large.
Proofs of COVID-19 Negative and Vaccination shots will be required at travel points or corridors in airports and cruise to avoid quarantine mandates. These corridors will continue to operate through the first half of the year or may be beyond. With time they will be more about travellers getting vaccinated and less about testing. Like airlines, some cruise lines are also considering whether passengers should be allowed onboard only after their furnishing proof of vaccination.
While getting COVID vaccination is one thing, entry into states that are moderately to highly COVID-affected, thus mandating e-passes is another. Whilst state governments all over India are digitalizing the process using apps and websites, it is still a matter of concern for general citizens undertaking inter-state travel by bus, train or air. Private players too are developing apps that will allow travellers to save verified test reports or vaccination results on their mobile.
Choice of local destinations is a new trend that is catching up especially with the millennials who don’t want to travel to cosmopolitan and metro cities but rather escape into the nearby forest, natural rivers, mountains, and waterfalls.
Finally, technology will play a positive role in first curbing the pandemic and then facilitating travel operation, ranging from contactless and hands-free technology to AI booking and communication tools. To conclude, 2021 will be a year of endless possibilities to innovate and explore whether you’re a traveller or tourist.
