Airlines say they are expecting a surge in summer travel after decreased traffic over the past 12 months. Disney Parks & Resorts just re-opend both parks – Disneyland, CA and California Adventure. Summer camps are accepting registrations. Here’s what savvy travelers are doing this year.
- They’re taking short trips. This means long weekends within driving distance as well as domestic airline travel on flights lasting only an hour or two.
- They’re organizing family reunions. Rather than stay at hotels, family members are visiting each other and reconnecting after time apart.
- They’re getting back to nature. Some are simply hitting the wilderness with backpacks and tents. Others are renting RVs for that epic road trip to the grand canyon. Another fun option is the return of family “retreats” that offer canoeing, outdoor movie night, campfire singalongs, and other classic adventures.
- They’re reinventing the stay-cation. After many months not spending their travel budgets, people are willing to indulge themselves in a small splurge at a luxury property nearby.
- They’re limiting business travel to upper management. Digital meetings certainly haven’t been perfect, but when asked, many employees have said they prefer digital conferencing to in-person trips. For now, executives responsible for sensitive company information and those in high-level in-person supervisory roles are resuming flights. Bonus: with passenger load limits and deliberate “empty row” policies on some airlines, flying coach or economy class can feel like a similar amount of space to business or preferred class at a lower fare.
- They’re getting out of the kitchen. Whether it’s room service or a sit-down venue, travelers are ready for someone else to do the cooking (and cleaning up).
- They’re being active. “Quarantine weight” has been a regular complaint – and many are eager to shed those extra pounds with some activity and adventure.
- They’re following the rules. After a long list of people were added to the federal no-fly list following the January 6th capitol attacks, people are being more cooperative with airline policies regarding mask wearing, hand sanitization, and distancing measures.
Here’s what they’re not doing (yet).
- They’re not going abroad. Much of this has to do with varying travel restrictions in different countries right now. Some are open to visitors while others, like Italy, are facing new lock downs. Most public health experts agree that conditions for international travel will be better by the end of summer, allowing for most people to visit foreign friends, family, and beloved destinations in time for the holidays.
- They’re not cruising. The entire cruise industry has been hit hard, and is likely to be one of the last bastions of travel to resume full operations. New regulations as well as new health and safety standards must be met before cruise lines can put any ship back at sea, and fleets are currently undergoing those improvements and inspections as necessary. What most popular cruise lines are planning for are cruises in the 2022 and 2023 seasons to resume full schedule, with some limited engagements available for loyalty members and other VIPs near the end of 2021.
Looking for some innovative travel opportunities of your own? Check out VIBE’s favorite off-the-beaten-path destinations: https://www.thevibeagency.com/great-events-meet-the-great-outdoors/
About the VIBE Agency: The VIBE Agency is a Miami-based award-winning full-service production agency that specializes in the creation and orchestration of live and virtual experiences for the corporate industry. The agency is forward-thinking and was recognized as one of the 50 top event companies by Special Events magazine in 2019 and 2020. Most recently, Valerie Bihet, founder of the VIBE was named a Smart Women in Meetings 2021 Hall of Fame honoree by Smartmeetings, for her consistent work advancing the industry. If it can’t be live, make it VIBE!
