Largay Travel held its annual retreat recently — virtually, of course. And while the distance toned down the usual revelry, if only slightly, it was wonderful to get together with friends and colleagues. Of course, we’ve all been meeting up regularly for Friday night dance parties and Meditation Mondays, but it was oddly freeing to sit down and talk business with our supplier partners. And the overall message was a resounding one: travel will be back.
Travel Will Be Back – What Will It Look Like?
When it returns, travellers will be seeking remoteness and getting back to nature. Sustainability and wellness already play a huge role in high-end travel, and we will see a lot more of that. There will be a renewed focus on private experiences: villas, chartered sailboats, etc. Already, tour operators are seeing an upswing in interest for these types of travel. And you can include private and semi-private jets in there too. While you might not be keen to jump on a plane with 200 other people, flying on an around-the-world expedition with 15 to 20 others might appeal.
“Off the beaten path, more isolated, this is going to become the new normal,” Big Five Tours & Expeditions president Ashish Sanghrajka said. He highlighted the company’s President’s Picks itineraries. One, the 13-day Morocco Mysteries & Mint Tea, includes a night at the exclusive Ghazala Camp in the southern part of the country. The camp’s six tents sit apart from each other and deliver an authentic – and luxurious – desert experience.
Insider Access
“The key word is private,” Abercrombie & Kent’s Norma Spadola said. “Private activities and insider access will be more in demand. If you’re going on a ship, it’s going to be a smaller one.”
Speaking of smaller ships, Paul Gauguin Cruises will launch two new 230-passenger luxury expedition vessels in 2022. Crystal Cruises will place more of an emphasis on remote expeditions with Zodiac landings in rugged landscapes with exotic wildlife and the 200-passenger Crystal Endeavor taking guests to the end of the earth in style and comfort. Lindblad Expeditions Endurance is already done with sea trials and is set for her maiden voyage later this year. This innovative ice-breaker holds just 126 passengers!
Sustainability and Authenticity
We will seek out of the way places. Polar regions, Patagonia, and African safaris already see renewed popularity as travellers look to avoid crowded cities. Nordic specialists 50 Degrees North itineraries feature Arctic Bath, a floating hotel on the Lule River in Swedish Lapland. The wellness oasis aims to leave behind a minimal environmental footprint. And sustainability — already a point of emphasis in luxury travel — will be even more popular moving forward.
Related: Exploring Arctic Svalbard with Lindblad Expeditions
50 Degrees North tours in Norway showcase Hurtigruten’s hybrid-electric ships. These vessels have reduced emissions and can cruise silently through the country’s famed fjords. Big Five’s GIB 5.0 virtual assistant matches travellers with the sustainability project that best matches their personality. Participate in the Jetwing Youth Development Program in Sri Lanka, Awamaki women’s project in Peru, or Africa Wildlife Foundation Kidepo Project in Uganda. After returning home, travellers get an update on the project they helped support. Viking ocean cruisers have the opportunity to participate in climate research onboard. Paul Gauguin Cruises new ships will explore the South Pacific while operating smokelessly at anchor, in port, and in environmentally sensitive areas.
Domestic vs International
It’s likely that domestic travel will be back first. This means National Park visits, state park day trips, and staycations in a city close to home. Perhaps we’ll be able to drive somewhere before we can fly, opening the door to experiences in our own neck of the woods. And when international travel picks back up, it’s not going to look the same as it did BC (Before Covid).
Read more: CN Traveller’s What Will the Future of Travel Look Like?
Wherever and whenever you’re looking to go next, you’ll want to book early. Demand for later in 2020 and for 2021 is high, and space on smaller tours and in remote places already limited. With such uncertainty and farther afield destinations, it helps to have excellent partners on the ground to provide real-time updates to keep travellers safe and happy. When you’re ready, I’m here for you.