With a week to go until I head off to the other side of the world on an epic tour of New Zealand, it got me thinking about how our travel habits had changed in recent years.
Cast your mind back to 2020 – the year the world hit pause, and our travel plans were crumpled like discarded boarding passes. We were all grounded and dreaming of far-flung destinations from the confines of our kitchen.
Fast forward five years, has the travel landscape actually shifted? Or are we back to our old globetrotting habits, albeit with slightly lighter wallets?
The Rise of the Independent Explorer (Or Are They?)
One narrative that’s been circulating over the last couple of years is the death of the travel agent. Supposedly, we’ve all become savvy travel gurus, booking flights, accommodation, and experiences with the click of a button. And let’s face it, the internet is a treasure trove of information, empowering us to curate itineraries that perfectly match our desires.
But hold on a minute. Are travel agents truly relics of the past? I’m not so sure. Some travellers may relish the control and flexibility of DIY planning, but many appreciate the expertise and convenience a travel agent provides.
Busy working professionals who are time poor don’t have the capacity, and often the inclination, to spend hours trawling site after site looking for inspiration and good deals, especially if they’re navigating complex itineraries and visa requirements too.
I used an independent Travel Counsellor for my trip as I wanted to hand over the reins and let someone else handle all the logistics. They’re a new ‘breed’ of travel agents who work remotely, meaning you no longer need to spend half your weekend visiting a traditional travel agent on your local high street. You simply brief them on your holiday bucket list from the comfort of your sofa and let them do the rest. It was a game changer for me.
So, while the balance of power may have changed slightly, I don’t think we should write the travel agent’s obituary just yet. I just believe the travel agent just may look a little different in the future.
Experience is King (and Queen!)
Another buzzword in the post-pandemic travel scene is “experiences.” Apparently, we’re no longer satisfied with just ticking off famous landmarks. We crave authentic encounters and Instagram-worthy moments that go beyond the standard tourist trail.
And I’m all for it! I’ve never been a ‘fly and flop’ kinda gal. Travel should be about more than just sightseeing. It’s about connecting with different cultures, trying new things, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.
But for me, experiences don’t just stop at making pasta in Tuscany or hiking through Patagonia’s snow-capped peaks. I’m also seeking holidays that offer a taste of the finer things in life, both in terms of accommodation and transport. I’m not alone in this either.
According to a recent McKinsey report, demand for luxury tourism and hospitality is expected to outperform any other industry segment over the coming years, particularly among gen z audiences.
Holiday experiences are not a new trend. Travellers have always sought unique experiences, even before the 2020. Perhaps the pandemic just gave us a gentle nudge to prioritise these experiences and appreciate them even more.
The Elephant in the Room (Hint: It’s Expensive)
It’s no secret that travel prices have skyrocketed since the world reopened. Flights, accommodation, even a simple gelato in St Mark’s Square in Venice now costs a small fortune. Price hikes are due to a complex mix of factors, including soaring fuel prices, global inflation, and good old supply and demand.
More than anything, cost is the biggest change I’ve observed in the travel industry. It’s not necessarily that our behaviours have fundamentally shifted, but rather that our wallets have shrunk in the wash.
This in turn has forced many travellers to be more selective about their trips. I, for one, don’t take as many foreign holidays a year as I used to pre-Covid, and I’m still a fan of the good old staycation with my dogs in tow. And I meticulously budget for my holidays too, to make sure I get the most out of my time away.
The Verdict: Evolution, Not Revolution
So, has the travel industry really changed since Covid? In some ways, yes. We’re perhaps more appreciative of travel, a bit more focused on experiences, and definitely more aware of the costs involved. But in other ways, not so much. We still crave adventure, we still want to explore new places, and we still rely on the expertise of travel professionals (at least some of us do!).
Perhaps the biggest takeaway is that the pandemic didn’t fundamentally revolutionise the travel industry. Instead, it accelerated existing trends and highlighted the importance of flexibility and a good travel insurance policy!
Finally, I believe it reminded us that travel is a privilege, not a right, and that we should cherish every opportunity to explore this breathtaking planet of ours, even if does costs a little (or a lot) more than it used to.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go start my packing.
