Travel Trends 2021: Big shift in Travel Trends for Pakistani Travellers Post-COVIDs

The domestic travel sector is likely to experience growth based on the rise of the middle class and the desire to have new experiences. The travel sector in Pakistan is being revived through (1) road trips, (2) weekend breaks, and (3) staycations. According to various anticipated trend shifts for 2021, when travelling, Pakistani travellers are looking for authentic experiences and nature travel that allow them to connect with the local land. A sense of adventurism is fostering in people’s hearts, especially after the long-held lockdown measures, but they are also more interested in caring for their health. The Internet makes it easy to connect to your doctor and get medicine with online pharmacies such as emeds anywhere in Pakistan. So before you head out to travel, it’s always better to take preventive medication along.

The pandemic has changed the way people look at travel, and that change will probably stick around for a while. They now pay more attention to health and safety concerns. As a result, people are far more likely to insist on health and hygiene conditions when travelling. Once travellers, especially younger ones, used to regard bad food and lousy accommodation as an adventure. Now, they are more likely to avoid a destination entirely due to safety concerns. After all, no adventure is worth your health.

It is too premature to predict the trends for international travel. International travel will be subject to various conditions, like air bubbles in place between Pakistan and destination countries, vaccination efforts, and long-term policies on international travel. However, there are certain expectations about trends in inland travel.

• Newfound Appreciation of an Unhurried Life

Pakistani travellers are increasingly looking for experiences that will connect them to their visiting places, which is very different from travellers’ pre-COVID experiences, either domestic or international. People like the idea of short vacations that are not too far from home. They are increasingly more interested in travel on the cheap that is off-the-beaten-path and helpful to local communities. They are appreciative of an inexpensive, exciting, and safe adventure.

The current pandemic crisis has taught people not to take their health, money, or freedom for granted. They understand that a simple out-of-control disease can completely freeze their lives. That’s why there’s been a decline in shopping expeditions and a rise in educational travel options. Until two years ago, the shopping expeditions held far more appeal than an adventure in the woods. But the time has changed. People are appreciative of an unhurried life. They want to slow down and take a moment to appreciate the beauty, culture and fun a journey in the wilds offers them.

More and more people are gravitating toward travel experiences that balance their itinerary with a languid pace. This type of travel lets them explore while eliminating stress from rushing around different places to tick the boxes. An immersive experience will hold far more value than a rushed one. In 2021, people want to connect, explore, and unwind. 

Weekend getaways are already becoming a popular trend for students that can’t afford to go on vacations often. However, weekend getaways will also become desirable for the worker class to become the new motivation for extra work. 

• Rise in Solo Travel

A growing number of people travel alone, and even though the viral outbreak may have dampened demand, it will likely spur more opportunities for solo travellers in 2021. Solo travel is especially suitable for people looking to appreciate nature, art, culture, cuisines and the overall environment. People that travel in groups are more likely to engage with one another than enjoying the environment. This trend is in line with the newfound appreciation of an unhurried life.

Many people feel they lost more than a year of their lives doing nothing. Such a waste weighs heavy on their minds. Perhaps as compensation, some people might want to travel more to make up for time lost in 2020. This sentiment encourages solo travellers to plan a trip of a lifetime to get out in the world.

• Increase in Popularity of Premium Stays

The traditional checklist is outdated in today’s safety-conscious world. Now, people will ask whether the location has social distancing and a private kitchen. They will appreciate extra room or the availability of support staff. Health means a lot to travellers in 2021. COVID-19 has given a big scare to people, but the people are also resilient. The pandemic has not sapped people’s will for an adventure, but it has undoubtedly made them appreciative of health and safety.

Premium hotels cost more, but they also offer many comforts denied in a cheap inn. Post-COVID, travellers are looking for more control over their voyages. This leads many to opt for higher category hotels, premium homestays, independent villas and non-hotels that promise vacation comfort and meet additional safety requirements.

People are moving away from conventional notions of travel and tourism, often pursuing more authentic experiences. They do not want manufactured vacations. Instead, people want to distinguish themselves as true travellers. They’ll pay more for unique accommodations that conform to a particular fantasy or ideal of travel. They will want to stay in havelis, heritage homes and villas.

• Contactless Travel

After the pandemic, the travel and hospitality industry has made efforts to make services as contactless as possible to boost confidence among travellers. As a result, it’s almost becoming a requirement to have the convenience provided by contactless technology in places like hotels and airports. At the same time, travellers are warming up to the idea of using completely contactless services and building appreciation for a tech-rich experience that promises travel safety.

The pandemic has scared people. Sociologists predict that casual physical contact between people will be seen with apprehension for quite some time. Contactless interaction will assure people of their safety from any communicable disease. Hence, they will appreciate travel businesses that promote contactlessness.

• More Focus on Sustainability

Travellers now want their travel choices to be sustainable in the long run. Meaningless waste of resources, littering and defacing nature are not appealing to the younger travellers. They want to have their fun, but without damaging sustainability.

The best sustainable travel choices are accessible and affordable and provide a boost to the communities they touch. Sustainable travel choices that meet those criteria are transformative for both the traveller and the community. This trend has always been part of the more ‘Green-minded’ people, but it has picked up more steam in 2021. Soon we may see an increase in the development of a sustainable approach to travel.