9 travel trends for 2021

21.07.2023 - 08:03 / roughguides.com

With travel thrown thoroughly off-course in 2020, we’re sure you’ve been thinking about what next year might bring. Here at Rough Guides, we've dug a little deeper to unearth nine travel trends for 2021. Think travel will head in a different direction? Discuss with us on Twitter @RoughGuides.

Sustainability. Sustainable travel. Sustainable tourism. While these terms certainly aren’t new, they are playing an increasingly key role in what an increasing number of travellers want from their trips. In 2021, sustainability will be more than a buzzword, as people across the globe consider how to travel with a green conscience. Thankfully, it’s easier to travel sustainably than ever before, partly because the increased demand means there are more green options available.

If you have to fly, think about taking positive action to off-set negative environmental impacts: look to use airlines with carbon emission off-setting initiatives and make an effort to use direct routes and airlines with energy-efficient planes. You can also look to improve your transportation options on the ground. Think about the vehicles you use – hire an electric car if you can, take the train and use public or shared transport wherever possible.

Be sure to think about the big picture too. Consider flying less and staying longer – spending more time in a destination fosters more investment in the local area, and reduces the negative impact of travelling around.

In addition, be sure to review the sustainability practices of your accommodation and other services you’ll be using. Does your hotel have a green laundry policy? What’s their recycling strategy? Does your hostel use energy-efficient appliances? Do they provide guests with maps and the option to hire bikes so you can get around in a greener way? These are some of the questions you might want to ask your lodgings, as they represent the kind of good practices sustainability-aware travellers should be looking for.

Here at Rough Guides, we’ve been thinking about sustainability a lot recently, and working with local experts and companies that keep these sorts of questions in mind. Additionally, we have been raising awareness of local initiatives that have a beneficial impact on the environment and/or the communities they operate within, which is the thinking behind our “tell us your story” initiative. Rough Guides is known for having a strong editorial voice, so we created this campaign platform to share news from sustainable tourism and community initiatives. Not only does this have the positive impact of spreading awareness of valuable projects (we’ve covered everything from a life-changing chocolate factory in the Dominican Republic to sustainable community-led tourism and