We’ve heard the word “pivot” a lot recently, and the travel industry embodies that word like no other. We’re so impressed with the way hotels, tour guides, and airlines have quickly adapted to make travel safer. Safe-travel practices like HEPA filters, better ventilation, touchless check-in, private experiences, and more are here to stay.  

For those of us who’ve not traveled for the past year, a new appreciation has emerged. Enter: Pent-Up Travel. To be honest, we took traveling for granted. And we now vow to stop complaining about that middle seat or flight delay or even jet-lag – we'll just be happy to get on that plane and go...well, anywhere. 

2020 introduced a slew of new travel requirements (think: mandatory quarantine to pre-travel COVID testing), developed in response to the pandemic. We can expect even more developed practices in 2021, including possible vaccination cards or stamps in passports for international travel. Currently, a handful of technology companies are developing smartphone apps to upload their test results and vaccinations, many which will be required for travel.

Another positive thing to come out of 2020 is the travel industry introducing incredible flexible policies. From waiving change fees to free cancellations, we anticipate that the future of travel is going to be more flexible than ever so that we can book so with ease. Ultimately, this means more bookings to boost the travel economy. 

The last year taught us that traveling with your loved ones (or even solo!) is a privilege – and something we love. Because of this, we’re not waiting a decade-plus to take our bucket-list trips. We have not only a new appreciation for travel, but for life, and plan to make the very most of it.

Read more: 25 Bucket List Trips to Plan Right Now

From touchless e-menus to robots, and pretty much contactless everything, the hospitality industry has made technology an integral part of tourism. It’s not only a way to feel safe as a consumer, but makes travel quick and convenient. 

This past year forced a lot of us to rethink the way we travel, and that fresh air and open spaces were the key to safety. Perhaps you visited your first national park; or maybe learned to repel. And some of us just enjoyed a bit of hiking. Once you get a taste of adventurous outdoor experiences, there’s no going back. 

Read more: 12 Dreamy Glamping and Ranching Experiences Across the US

For many of us, seeing our family has been off limits for the past year. Because of this, we plan to go on trips that include everyone. While you can’t turn back the clock, we hope to make up for lost time with big family vacations. 

Read more: 10 Places Every Member of Your Family Will Love

While the state of industry is still up in the air at the moment, we expect a ton of last-minute travel plans – the second it’s safe to do so. We've actually learned to make travel decisions at the last minute this past year, so expect the flood gates to open once it’s okay.

There was a whole lot of virtual travel in 2020, paving the way for a new trend. Virtual cooking classes, wine tastings, and online culinary experiences have been created. People who would normally go to a restaurant or happy hour are now spending disposable income on higher-end wines and education. This means that you can have an (almost as good) wine country experience right from your own kitchen.  

You no longer have to live in L.A. to enjoy an al fresco cocktail hour. We’re equally impressed by the way restaurants and bars have completely redesigned their space to accommodate outside dining. The result has given us everything from private heated igloos and apres ski stations to beautifully designed outdoor gardens.