Travel may still seem out of reach right now, but as vaccination programs roll out worldwide, it’s starting to feel more and more plausible that we can get back to it in the near future. But the tourism and travel industry might not be exactly as you left it. Academics are expecting major shifts in travel trends due to the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some believe that our experiences during this time of hardship will make tourists seek trips that are focused on people, rather than experiences. With that in mind, here are some trends that are expected to be on the rise.
Connection-Based Travel
We’ve been disconnected from our friends and loved ones for a long time now, so it’s not difficult to imagine that we’re all going to want to visit each other when it’s safe to do so. Maybe it’s time to visit your grandparents in another state, or that overseas pen pal you got close to while the pandemic was in full swing. If you’re not in a state to travel at the moment, getting a visit from someone you haven’t seen in a while might be a welcome change.
Voluntourism
Voluntourism is a portmanteau of “volunteer tourism,” a type of travel that involves doing volunteer work abroad. While the practice is controversial in academic circles, it’s undeniably generated a lot of valuable humanitarian resources. Additionally, voluntourism is often cheaper than normal travel, making it attractive for those who are still recovering from the economic hardships of the pandemic.
Peace Tourism
This practice is in a similar vein to voluntourism, but it focuses on peace in a more theoretical sense. Typical peace tourism involves visiting memorials and war zones as travelers attempt to learn from past mistakes and help move the world towards a better future.
Examples of peace tourism destinations include the Berlin Wall Memorial, the Hiroshima Peace Park, as well as workshops and conferences focused on conflict resolution or similar skills. As always, pay attention to the safety measures and laws of your destinations before making travel plans as the pandemic still exists.