WHERE WILL YOU GO IN 2021?
After being grounded for most of 2020, there’s no doubt we’ll be itching to explore the world next year. But what can we expect? We asked the experts to share their key travel trends
ESCORTED TOURS
Following a year of enough ups and downs to give us motion sickness, chances are we’ll be happy to put our holiday decisions in the hands of the experts. ‘2021 is the year of the holiday, and escorted touring allows you to travel with peace of mind,’ says Ben Davis, head of product at Titan Travel. ‘People will feel more comfortable exploring as part of a group, accompanied by an experienced tour manager who knows the area.’ It’s also a great way to see more under-the-radar destinations. Titan’s 10-day Stunning Slovenia tour is ideal for gourmets who want to check out the country’s buzz-worthy food scene, while travel insiders report that Scandinavia will be popular, with visitors clamouring for the chance to see the shimmering Northern Lights or the soul-stirring sight of humpback whales breaching the inky fjords.
STELLAR STAYCATIONS
‘The staycation is definitely here for the long term,’ says Nicky Kelvin, director of content at travel website The Points Guy. ‘After this year’s uncertainty around holidays abroad, people will be tempted to book the very best British spots well in advance to avoid disappointment.’ Fortunately, there’s a wealth of places to visit around the UK, from the rugged mountains of Snowdonia National Park in north Wales to the stunning Jurassic Coast, with plenty of beaches ripe for exploring. The only difficult decision is where to start.
BUCKET-LIST TRIPS
From honeymoons to landmark birthday adventures, many celebrations were put on pause in 2020. Richard Hyde, managing director of Small Luxury Hotels, predicts we’ll be making up for lost time next year. ‘Travellers will start to book bucket-list journeys and once-in-a-lifetime holidays as they yearn for the new experiences and connections that they’ve missed this year,’ he says. Think dream trips that cover a multitude of cities and cultural highlights, like Titan’s Grand Tours of Australia and Asia. It’s likely that the growing trend for multigenerational travel will play a part in these special adventures too, with families reuniting to visit unique destinations, from Antarctica to Zimbabwe, together.