Travel trends 2021: Between a thirst for adventure and surprising dream destinations

Baltic Sea instead of the Caribbean, short trip instead of long-distance travel – the travel world was quite small in the Corona year. The travel trends for 2021 promise improvement.

The corona virus moves people, even if many vacationers have to cope with a standstill in 2020. The year was and is characterized by lockdowns, quarantines and constantly changing entry bans. Traveling has never been more bureaucratic. Anyone who had to do so, probably more out of necessity than pleasure. But that is exactly what should be capitalized again in 2021, because the (travel) world is slowly turning again and promises flexibility, a thirst for adventure and surprising dream destinations.

The Baltic and North Seas are very popular

The corona pandemic required a rethink in travel behavior. After all, a beach holiday in Spain, Italy, Turkey or even the Caribbean was out of the question this year. But because many did not want to do without the beach feeling, they were drawn to the Baltic Sea or North Sea coast instead – and the home vacation was popular! According to the German Tourism Association, 7.9 million of German domestic vacation trips went to Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in 2019. The Germans will probably get a taste of home air next year too. That comes from the data of the online travel agency Expedia. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (9th place) and the North Sea (2nd place) made it into the 14 trend destinations for 2021 and are now joining absolute dream destinations such as French Polynesia, Zanzibar and Mauritius.

Longing destinations Costa Rica and Maldives: The main thing is far away!

While the dream of white sandy beaches in the Caribbean or outdoor adventures in Australia was still bursting in 2020, many Germans are drawing hope again for the coming travel season. The motto is: if away, then far! Only four European destinations are among the top 15 most eagerly desired international destinations. Although the long-running Mallorca is there, Costa Rica and the Maldives make you want to travel far.

And why not? After all, one of the happiest people in the world should live on Costa Rica. In addition, Mal País in the west is the ultimate longing destination for dropouts, of whom there should be a few more in Corona times who would like to go underground. But that also works wonderfully in the Maldives. Mirihi Island in the southern Ari Atoll was one of the first diving islands in the Maldives and is still one of the most beautiful. Over 1,500 species cavort in the depths of the ocean, including the manta, the third largest species of ray in the world – pure adventure.

If it can be more exotic …

In terms of accommodation, it doesn't necessarily have to be the classic hotel in the coming year. Alternatives such as houseboats or tree houses not only promise a touch more adventure, but in times of Corona also offer a simple way to stay away from others without much effort. You don't even have to travel far. There are numerous "treehouse destinations" in Germany, for example in the Spessart Nature Park.

As a counter-trend, according to the Expedia data, there is increasing interest in city trips in Germany: In addition to the rural regions, Hamburg as well as Berlin, Cologne, Munich and Leipzig are among the top eleven of the most popular German destinations for 2021. If that's too crowded for you , who can go on a discovery tour in smaller and perhaps even less known areas abroad. How about a trip to Lower Silesia to the tranquil Wroclaw? Located in the southwest of Poland, it was European Capital of Culture in 2016. Romantics and connoisseurs will get their money's worth with a stroll through the alleys and a couple of delicious "pierogi".

Flexibility and hygiene are important to Germans

What else is important when traveling in 2021? Flexibility is particularly important to Germans. Those who book would like to be able to cancel free of charge, Corona or not. 30 percent of respondents said they only choose flexible and free booking options for cancellations. The hoteliers have adapted to this: Bookings with free cancellation are on average more than ten percent cheaper than a year ago. Hygiene and cleanliness have also become increasingly important. An example: Sales of disinfectants have risen continuously again and, according to the Federal Statistical Office, reached more than double (+104 percent) the pre-crisis average in the 44th calendar week.

With or without a disinfectant bottle, far away or close to home, on the houseboat or in the tree house – one thing is for sure, everyone travels differently. And those who have not yet made any vacation plans for 2021 because of Corona can keep it like the writer Susan Sontag (1933-2004): "I haven't been everywhere yet, but it's on my list."

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