WAYS THE PANDEMIC HAS CHANGED HOW WE TRAVEL

According to research from Travelport, 39% of young travelers ages 18-38 are now more likely to use a travel agency to book their trip.

How has the pandemic changed the way we travel? From masks on airplanes to the rise in work vacations, see what is predicted to stick around.

There’s no question the pandemic has shaken up the travel industry, but how much? Below, find out just how different vacations are looking these days and how some changes may persist in the future.

1. Travel agents are becoming popular again.

According to research from Travelport, 39% of young travelers ages 18-38 are now more likely to use a travel agency or travel management companies to book their trip.

According to research from Travelport, 39% of young travelers ages 18-38 are now more likely to use a travel agency to book their trip.

These days, it’s not just about finding a hotel or flights in the right price range. It seems like almost every destination has different rules and regulations regarding vaccine or testing requirements. “There’s a lot more research required before you book a trip,” said Claire Newell, travel expert, founder and president of Travel Best Bets. “It’s just so difficult to navigate everything now.”

Many are finding that working with a travel agent or a travel management company is the easiest route.

2. People are spending more money on flexibility and travel insurance.

“We know one thing about this pandemic: It’s constantly changing, and you don’t want to book your travel and be caught if you need to change your plans,” Newell said. She noted that prior to the pandemic, people would be more likely to opt for a lower price for airfare or hotel rooms, regardless of restrictions. These days, she says people will happily pay more to have the flexibility — just in case plans change.

 Another trend she’s seeing is people opting for travel insurance. “People realized that you can get sick while you’re away, and with Covid-19 particularly, you can’t get back on a plane without having a negative test, so if you catch it while you’re away, who’s going to cover your cost for those days while you stay and recover?” she said. “So that insurance is really key moving forward.”

3. Workcations are on the rise

This is a pandemic trend we can get behind.

Many people found out they could successfully work remotely during the pandemic; a model that has sparked more workcations. “If you have to log in your eight hours, why not do it from the beach?” Newell said.

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