How Our Purpose & Pace of Travel Will Shift Post-Pandemic
Quentin Monge, see more of his work at @mongequentin
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ou're probably tired of reading these pieces, aren't you? Unfortunately, there's no fast-forward button to the future of travel. Or, out of this pandemic. But, as post-pandemic travel nears, it's important to reflect on the lessons we've learned and examine the newfound appreciation we have for the luxury of travel, and how it will shift our purpose and pace.
The reality of the near future is that travel is going to continue to feel foreign with masks, rapid tests and maybe even — *gasp* — vaccine passports. However, there are also going to be fundamental shifts that are positive and exciting. So as we look to the new future of travel, let’s focus on how we are going to travel better, more sustainably and seek out more enriching experiences going forward.
A newfound appreciation for the luxury of travel
We think it’s fair to say that many of us who are reading this magazine took travel for granted. We spent years jetting from one place to the next — checking off cities and far-off-locales at hyper-speed. Honestly, part of it felt like a game, seeing just how many places we could check off in a year.
Now, after largely being hulled up at home, we think fellow travelers like yourself have gained a newfound appreciation for the luxury that travel really is. Getting to experience a new place is a luxury in itself — bathing in beautiful views, standing in awe of art we traveled thousands of miles to see, and drooling over food we’d only seen in cookbooks.
As we start getting back out and into the world, we think fellow savvy, avid travelers will all appreciate the sheer luxury of travel in a way we haven’t in a really long time.
Slower and more immersive travel
A few types of slower, more immersive travel are going to unfold now and in the coming years. The first, work-cations. It’s become incredibly apparent how feasible remote work is for both employees and employers over the past year, and we don’t see it being tossed aside once we reach some sort of herd immunity. We see a future where some travelers choose to spend a month, maybe more, working remotely in a location of their choice. Taking the time to really immerse themselves in the local culture in a way that just wouldn’t be possible with vacation days.
After spending so much time at home, we also think avid travelers who spent years jet-setting will slow down. Instead of 10 trips a year, maybe it’s half of that, but twice as long in each locale — taking the time to explore and enjoy a place like they hadn’t before. With a newfound appreciation for the luxury of travel and a desire to detach, we see travelers seeking out much more immersive experiences.
A conscious shift in the businesses we support
The pandemic wreaked havoc on the tourism industry, revealing just how many people and businesses depend on tourism dollars all over the world. Importantly, at home in our own communities, we also saw how many small businesses depended on our patronage. So, we believe that as travelers get back out into the world, they will continue to practice much more purposeful shopping — going out of their way to support local, small business owners more than ever before.
Taking the plunge on once-in-a-lifetime trips
After living through a pandemic, travelers are re-evaluating their priorities. Once restrictions are lifted, why put off that epic, once-in-a-lifetime trip any longer? We see travelers enthusiastically booking their dream trips in the coming years — making the time to embark on some of the biggest adventures of their lives.
Rethinking trains, planes and automobiles
We’re based here in Europe where it’s incredibly easy to hop on a plane, and before you’ve even finished your in-flight cocktail, land in a new city. But, with carbon emissions down 60-percent since the start of the pandemic, it’s become clear that we need to cut down on air travel.
Of course, that’s not always possible. But, we think that as we head into the future of post-pandemic travel, travelers will continue to embrace other forms of travel like trains and driving — taking shorter trips closer to home or embarking on epic road trips. While these are more environmentally friendly, they also allow you to slow down and enjoy the journey in a way you miss while flying. Win-win, if you ask us.
