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Thailand: Five emerging trip types in 2021
Looking ahead to 2021, the impact of the coronavirus pandemic is changing not just people’s choice of destination but also the type of trips they are most likely to take in the coming year.
New research from the digital travel portal Booking.com reveals the five emerging trip types for 2021 to motivate and inspire travellers to take a trip (or five) to best fit their new preferences.
1. Solace in Solo: The solo travel trend is likely to gather even greater momentum as people’s thirst to travel, which was stymied by the pandemic, will nudge them to take the plunge to travel on their own in 2021.
Before the pandemic, Booking.com data showed only 17% of Thai travellers were planning a trip on their own, while 40% now say they will be planning a solo trip in the future. With 51% saying they want to travel more in the future to make up for travel time lost in 2020, this outlook is no doubt encouraging travellers to plan a solo trip of a lifetime, to get back out in the world.
2. Relaxury: The unexpected halt to travel plans for most Thai travellers has meant that just being able to travel at all is a luxury. In fact, 77% of Thai travellers have pledged to not take travel for granted in the future. While research shows travellers still have a high intention to travel again, only 8% are actually planning a luxury getaway (such as a villa or five-star hotel), with the majority (48%) planning a relaxing trip to get away from it all.
3. Breakaway Bubbles: In 2020, most travellers have had extended time apart from friends and family. For many it appears that distance has made the heart grow fonder as 78% of Thai travellers plan to use future travel as an opportunity to reconnect with loved ones. While being apart, 38% of Thai travellers have revealed that talking to friends and family about travelling is one of their main inspirations to travel again.
4. Weekend Wonders: With many Thai travellers feeling apprehensive that future travel plans could be disrupted again, there will be an increased demand for a quick trip.
More than half of Thai travellers (62%) want to take more short breaks in 2021 than they did in 2019 to minimise any disappointment. Some 44% also revealed their preference of a weekend break for their first trip once restrictions are lifted, showing travellers’ desires to be able to escape reality, even for just a few days.
5. Food for Thought: Thai travellers’ desire to explore the world has not diminished, but travelling abroad is still being avoided by a majority of travellers (77%) as travel restrictions are lifted. Local travel is the new way of exploring the world, with culinary delights topping the list. A full 52% of Thai travellers are keen to taste and indulge in local cuisine while travelling, with 36% wanting to eat out more often with the money saved from not travelling abroad.
To read more of Booking.com’s predictions for the Future of Travel, visit https://bit.ly/37KqpuM
Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2035519/five-emerging-trip-types-in-2021