Here's where travel is going

The experts are back with another round of predictions

In today’s newsletter: where travel is headed, this month’s getaway, and social media. This month, a portion of the profits from paid newsletter subscriptions will be donated to Womankind. Previous organizations we’ve supported include Girls Write Now, Women for Women, Heart of Dinner & Black Mamas Matter. If you’ve found your way here but are not yet subscribed, let me help you with that:

Since getting my second dose of the COVID vaccine, I’ve been trying to “figure out” travel. From entry/exit requirements to the vaccine passports debate to the ever-changing border restrictions — trying to stay on top of travel news now is like standing on top of shifting sands. In short, it’s hard to get your footing.

On top of figuring out the current status of travel, I’m also trying to get a grasp of where travel is going. Back in January, I wrote a newsletter that looked at travel trends for 2021. Let it be a testament to how quickly things are moving that some of those predictions are already outdated. Here are the latest travel trends that experts are seeing for 2021.

Domestic travel is on the rise

Covid testing? Quarantines? Vaccine passports? Right now, traveling abroad is complicated. A handful of destinations are welcoming vaccinated travelers with open arms (see this newsletter), while other countries are still requiring negative COVID tests and quarantine upon entry, regardless of your vaccination status. To skip the hassle, travel experts are seeing a major spike in domestic travel. According to a study from Airbnb, nearly half of the travelers they surveyed are booking trips that are within driving distance. Now, just because these trips are closer to home doesn’t mean they’re shorter. According to another study, 55% of travelers said they plan to travel for 14 days or more.

Sustainable travel is big this year - and we mean it

For the past few years, sustainability has been a buzzword bouncing around the travel industry. The more we see the environmental impact of traveling, the more the industry has been pushing for ways to combat it. To date, this commitment to sustainability has been a slow adoption — taking place in the form of planet-friendly hotels and carbon offset programs from airlines.

In light of the pandemic, there has been a serious interest in sustainable travel. If you ask me, it’s because when the world locked down we saw the positive impact of reduced tourism firsthand. The best example that comes to mind is the clear waters and dolphins spotted in the Venice canals. When I was in Venice a few years back, that water looked like toxic sludge. To put it in numbers: Exodus Travels shows that 91% of travelers now see the importance of taking ethical trips, 56% believe in buying souvenirs from local merchants, and 44% want to support local businesses at their destination.

Solo travel is a trend…like always

Every single year, solo travel is a trend and this year is no exception. Typically, the solo travel trend is focused on women. Every year, the male-dominated travel industry seems to collectively shock itself with numbers that reveal women can and do travel alone. This year, we are also seeing a spike in solo travel bookings. It’s a no-brainer why people are opting to travel away from crowds amidst an ongoing pandemic. To add to that, I think people are just looking to get away, and because travel is a hot-button issue that everyone has an opinion on right now, it’s easier to go at it alone.

The people want authenticity

A lot of companies are reporting increased interest from travelers in booking local experiences. In my opinion, this trend goes hand-in-hand with the re-commitment to sustainability. Travelers want to spend their money wisely and booking local experiences guarantees you’re supporting a community and its local business owners.

Obviously, cleanliness is top of mind

In the most obvious trend here, travelers are concerned about cleanliness in a pandemic. A Booking.com survey reported that 46% of travelers are afraid of contracting the virus while taking public transportation and are instead opting for destinations they can drive to.

For hotels, travelers reported that contactless payments, digital room keys, and digital messaging services are the top things they are looking for in booking a stay. As travelers demand more contactless services, we are seeing the travel industry move fast in adopting technology.

Do you agree with these trends? What travel trends are you seeing right now? Tell me below!

I’ll be showing you my favorite NYC spots

Every month I send our paid newsletter subscribers a monthly getaway newsletter focused on one specific destination. In the past, I’ve transported readers to Vietnam, Colombia, and Iceland with tips on places to visit and (in the case of Iceland) even a quick save travel guide to use later.

This month, I am taking subscribers to my city, New York! In this monthly getaway newsletter, I’ll share with you some of my favorite places to visit in the city, including a few women-owned businesses that are featured in our Feminist City Guidebook to NYC! Not yet a subscriber? Sign up to get this newsletter + other awesome perks!

Social media, I really wish I knew how to quit you

Watch this documentary on HBO about social media influencers and the throne of bots they stand on. The film follows a social media experiment in which three unassuming people are turned into influencers using common tricks of deception. My biggest takeaway from the documentary? Apparently, toilet seats are a great way to fake airplane windows in photos. I don’t know whether to be impressed or horrified.

Now that you’re on a social media kick, read this article from The Cut about “unfluencers.” Unfluencers are people who make us want to do the opposite of whatever they’re doing (such as pose with toilet seats). Wonder if you’re an uninfluencer. If I am, just tell me now.

While you’re tumbling down this rabbit hole of social media, read this article from Vogue on how to stop comparing yourself to others on Instagram. Admittedly, I felt insecure this week about not having posted on Instagram in quite a while. I then had to remind myself that just because someone doesn’t post on social media does not mean they aren’t working on exciting things.

Read this article from Slate about European travel influencers who posted idyllic photos of NYC while the city was in lockdown. As someone who had a death truck parked five minutes from her NYC apartment, I really detest the idea of some travel influencer sharing photos of a packed Times Square amidst a pandemic.

In the end, remember this truth: absolutely nothing is as good as it seems on social media. Except for dogs. Dogs are absolutely as good as they seem on social media.

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