The 2021/22 travel trends you need to know about

Due to the travel restrictions, border closures and uncertainty surrounding international travel, we’re predicting a spike in UK staycations for 2021 from April from onwards, subject to the Government’s proposed ‘plan to rebuild’. Once it is safe to do so, 2020 could be the ideal time to discover the great British countryside’s pretty pockets such as the Lake District and the Scottish Highlands. Alternatively, if you’d prefer to pack a bucket and spade over walking boots, then you could check-out the UK’s relatively unappreciated seaside resorts. We’re highlighting Devon, Dorset and Cornwall as our most popular coastal retreats where boutique hotels, luxury apartments and picturesque penthouses will whisk you away from the big smoke. What’s more, these destinations have plenty of accommodation options for four-legged members of the family, too. After all, life after lockdown will be particularly lonely for our pets so why not treat the entire family to a trip away?

STAYCATIONS WILL BE ON THE RISE

Due to the travel restrictions, border closures and uncertainty surrounding international travel, we’re predicting a spike in UK staycations for 2021 from April from onwards, subject to the Government’s proposed ‘plan to rebuild’. Once it is safe to do so, 2020 could be the ideal time to discover the great British countryside’s pretty pockets such as the Lake District and the Scottish Highlands. Alternatively, if you’d prefer to pack a bucket and spade over walking boots, then you could check-out the UK’s relatively unappreciated seaside resorts. We’re highlighting Devon, Dorset and Cornwall as our most popular coastal retreats where boutique hotels, luxury apartments and picturesque penthouses will whisk you away from the big smoke. What’s more, these destinations have plenty of accommodation options for four-legged members of the family, too. After all, life after lockdown will be particularly lonely for our pets so why not treat the entire family to a trip away?

MULTI GENERATION TRIPS WILL GAIN IN POPULARITY

Some may argue that it’s the older generation who have suffered the most throughout the crisis, with stricter lockdown imposed and sustained periods of time without seeing any family members. Post Coronavirus, and once the Government lifts lockdown and deems it safe, we forecast a rise in multi-generational travel (also known as 3G, meaning three generation), where grandparents, parents, children and even cousins all holiday together. The success of the vaccine roll out will play a huge part in this, as soon as our elders have received their jabs and been given the green light, we can start to integrate with them again safe in the knowledge that the risk-taking has been brought out of the equation altogether. A trip away is a great means to claw back missed family interaction, to re-celebrate birthdays and spend quality time together. Whether this is in a cottage in the British countryside, on an island in the Indian Ocean or a lodge in Africa’s wilderness is up to you, but we bet that you’ll have better memories if you’re all together.

BRINGING FRIENDS ALONG FOR THE RIDE

Yes, we often partake in group travel for hen or stag dos, business trips or the odd large landmarking celebration, but as a rule, travel in large numbers is not the usual choice for most holidaymakers – however, we predict that this is all set to change. The lack of social interaction under the UK lockdowns has left us yearning for more fraternising with friends, so why not bring them with us? Travelling is a great way to reconnect with loved ones and build bonds that will last a lifetime together. Whether we choose to travel with our closest acquaintances or extended family, as soon as lockdown 3.0 is lifted we predict that many people will choose to bubble up with their nearest and dearest and get set for some new adventures together. This trend will also work well for the kids, travelling with their favourite chum, whether that is a classmate or a group of their cousins, travelling together will bring a new lease of life and joy to their holiday that covid had previously took away.

The rise in 3G and group holidays will undoubtedly see an escalation in villa rentals, especially those with four plus bedrooms and baths, private pools and personal chefs on hand. Not only does this provide space for all the family to holiday together, but it also keeps contact with other holidaymakers to a minimum with no need for shared pools and buffet breakfasts kept at bay. There are a wealth of destinations that offer luxurious private villas in gated communities as well as those isolated in insane locations all over the world, but particularly throughout Europe, Asia, the Caribbean and the USA. Think Ibiza, Greece, Mallorca, Thailand, Barbados and Florida, to name just a few. What’s more, at Winged Boots, we’ve got direct contacts with a wealth of worldwide property managers to ensure that we can offer the same great service and affordable rates as our hotel portfolio, so if you’re planning on travelling but would rather avoid large resorts, get in touch with our personal travel managers today to discover more on our bespoke villa service.

THE DEMAND FOR VILLA RENTALS WILL INCREASE

The rise in 3G and group holidays will undoubtedly see an escalation in villa rentals, especially those with four plus bedrooms and baths, private pools and personal chefs on hand. Not only does this provide space for all the family to holiday together, but it also keeps contact with other holidaymakers to a minimum with no need for shared pools and buffet breakfasts kept at bay. There are a wealth of destinations that offer luxurious private villas in gated communities as well as those isolated in insane locations all over the world, but particularly throughout Europe, Asia, the Caribbean and the USA. Think Ibiza, Greece, Mallorca, Thailand, Barbados and Florida, to name just a few. What’s more, at Winged Boots, we’ve got direct contacts with a wealth of worldwide property managers to ensure that we can offer the same great service and affordable rates as our hotel portfolio, so if you’re planning on travelling but would rather avoid large resorts, get in touch with our personal travel managers today to discover more on our bespoke villa service.

Similarly to the proposed rise in villa rentals, for the luxury customer private jets and yacht charters are also predicted to be on the up. With new airport procedures to support social distancing alongside future airline guidelines for in-flight social measures, chartering a jet may be a more appealing option for luxury travellers. In turn, yacht charters around the Med and other European hotspots is also forecast to gain momentum – and after one quick flick through our travel partner Sunseeker’s fleet and it’s easy to understand the appeal.

YACHT AND JET CHARTERS WILL BECOME MORE APPEALING

Similarly to the proposed rise in villa rentals, for the luxury customer private jets and yacht charters are also predicted to be on the up. With new airport procedures to support social distancing alongside future airline guidelines for in-flight social measures, chartering a jet may be a more appealing option for luxury travellers. In turn, yacht charters around the Med and other European hotspots is also forecast to gain momentum – and after one quick flick through our travel partner Sunseeker’s fleet and it’s easy to understand the appeal.

A NEED FOR TOTAL REJUVINATION

It has been a tough year in more ways than one and we predict many will begin to choose holidays that bring a sense of calm and rejuvenation to their souls. We all have our preferred ways to blow off some steam, for some that is a mega week of partying in Las Vegas and for others it is a tranquil escape in peaceful Thailand. Whichever end of the scale you place yourself closest to, we foresee the need to put self-care ahead of everything else. We forecast a huge rise in trips centred around relaxation with the majority making extra time for spa trips or opting for hotels that feature luxurious spa facilities on site and specialise in premium wellness. Some will also choose to go the whole hog and satisfy their wanderlust with trips abroad while visiting yoga and health retreats, where they are guaranteed to return feeling completely refreshed.

While some will be planning to sample something fresh as soon as we are able to travel, we have seen a huge resurgence in the popularity of people returning to old favourite destinations. All the additional family time we have had over the past year seems to have made us sentimental. We feel the need to return to those happy places in which we have already made amazing memories in, for a chance to not only reminisce but also to share those destinations with our growing family. We predict that for domestic holidays many will be returning to locations visited while in their youth, to enjoy the experience now themselves as adults with their own younger children. And while travelling internationally we predict couples returning to destinations they enjoyed at the beginning of their relationships, where they got engaged or married, or simply where they had their most memorable holidays together.

CRAVING SOME NOSTALIGA

While some will be planning to sample something fresh as soon as we are able to travel, we have seen a huge resurgence in the popularity of people returning to old favourite destinations. All the additional family time we have had over the past year seems to have made us sentimental. We feel the need to return to those happy places in which we have already made amazing memories in, for a chance to not only reminisce but also to share those destinations with our growing family. We predict that for domestic holidays many will be returning to locations visited while in their youth, to enjoy the experience now themselves as adults with their own younger children. And while travelling internationally we predict couples returning to destinations they enjoyed at the beginning of their relationships, where they got engaged or married, or simply where they had their most memorable holidays together.

WE’LL TRY TO GO OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

Have you grown fond of your daily walk around the local park, nearby forest or closest beach? Well, you’re not alone – it seems many have discovered new nature walks and family time in the great outdoors during lockdown, and this is a trend we don’t see slipping post coronavirus. Instead, we predict that the inquisitiveness of exploring the locale to travel with Brits on their holidays with a rise in off the beaten track locations and day trips. Whether that’s staying in an eco-lodge in a National Park or simply swapping your day sitting around the pool with a good book for a hike around the area, there’s a level of intensity to suit all.

Many of us fall foul of travelling to the same resort every year, even staying in the same beach bungalow. Well, why not? You know what you like and if you’ve found a hotel that fits the bill, then why change? It’s also quite comforting returning to a resort where you know the staff and what time breakfast is... However, being deprived of travel has us dreaming of that next trip now more than ever, and speaking for the wider Winged Boots team, the consensus is that we want to make sure that our next holiday is one to remember. So, make 2021 or 2022 the year for that dreamy safari, that once-in-a-lifetime arctic adventure or dip into the kids’ inheritance and stay a few nights in that eye-wateringly beautiful hotel. Now is the time to cross something off your bucket list – however small – and plan today to travel tomorrow.

BUCKETLISTS WILL GET SHORTER

Many of us fall foul of travelling to the same resort every year, even staying in the same beach bungalow. Well, why not? You know what you like and if you’ve found a hotel that fits the bill, then why change? It’s also quite comforting returning to a resort where you know the staff and what time breakfast is... However, being deprived of travel has us dreaming of that next trip now more than ever, and speaking for the wider Winged Boots team, the consensus is that we want to make sure that our next holiday is one to remember. So, make 2021 or 2022 the year for that dreamy safari, that once-in-a-lifetime arctic adventure or dip into the kids’ inheritance and stay a few nights in that eye-wateringly beautiful hotel. Now is the time to cross something off your bucket list – however small – and plan today to travel tomorrow.