As tourism begins on its road to recovery, it's clear that travel in 2021 and beyond will look different than it did before.
Not only are we walking into a changing world, but while some countries are at varying stages of vaccination rollout, others are riding out additional infection waves.
It means that the people who are eager to book an adventure won't find planning a trip and traveling as easy as they used to be. There are new entry requirements, travel restrictions, and COVID protocols to consider, all of which change weekly, sometimes even daily.
So, travelers are (and will be) looking to the experts for guidance. Booking through a tour operator can greatly reduce the admin involved and guarantee them a stress-free experience.
Keep reading as we touch on eight reasons why travelers will consider booking with a tour operator to be the way to go in the years to come.
Whether it be a private, family, or small group tour, there is a lot of planning that goes into a successful trip.
It can involve choosing places to stay, figuring out how to get around, creating an itinerary, and checking the destination’s COVID requirements, all while sticking within a set budget. For anyone who doesn’t have the expertise or experience, it can be stressful and time-consuming.
So, tour operators and travel agencies who do this daily and who have extensive partner networks to turn to for quotes and advice have a significant advantage in this respect.
Coming out of the pandemic, travelers will be more interested in spending their time connecting with their loved ones or seeing the world once again.
They will be less interested in dealing with time-consuming trip planning and be willing to hand this over to the experts to take care of.
Given the current climate, people may not be confident about traveling without official guarantees that it's safe to do so during this year.
There's also a lot of confusion on whether certain places are safe or suitable for solo or group travel.
People will be looking to tour operators to give them this information and take on the responsibility to ensure they get the best experience.
Many places have closed down due to the pandemic or aren't operating as they usually would. Instead of taking their chances with little information, travelers will look to tour operators who will provide more surety on what can be done and what sites are open.
Travel in 2021 and beyond requires a clear-cut set of terms and conditions around travel insurance, especially on the medical side as we emerge from the pandemic.
With a clear travel insurance policy, travelers can book their trips knowing the terms around deposits, claims, cancellations, refunds, coverage if they fall ill, have to quarantine, and so on.
It's no secret we've all missed fundamental human interactions over the past year. As the travel industry begins to recover, families, friends, and strangers will be more inclined to book group tours so they can rekindle those missed connections.
We believe that this will continue well beyond 2021, as everyone has come to value the time they can share with others.
Being homebound for so long has also fuelled people's need to get out into the world more and experience life and its many wonders.
Unlike everyday travelers, tour operators have connections and well-developed relationships with others in the travel industry.
This means that their experience gives them bargaining power. They can get special discounts, personal favors, and travel considerations to make a group's experience that much better.
Most tour leaders and travel guides who work with tour operator companies are passionate about adventure and exploration.
They leave their groups in awe with fresh and exciting storytelling, never-before-seen perspectives, and word-of-mouth-worthy travel experiences.
They know how to navigate the area they are showing their group. They understand the culture, maybe the language, the best cuisine, and the rich history.
With their broad knowledge and passion, they genuinely give their groups a rare and unique experience that will keep people coming back for more. After more than a year of disconnect and lockdowns, this is precisely what people are yearning for when they travel in 2021.
Tour operators handle all the budgeting while customizing itineraries for their tour group's needs.
Planning the budget can be difficult for someone who doesn't know exactly what needs to go into it. It’s so easy to overlook important details that impact the final price later on.
A tour operation ensures that all the financial arrangements have been made, leaving travelers with one all-inclusive payment instead of many small ones to worry about.
Many companies also offer payment plans, allowing their clients to budget their payments and enjoy greater affordability.
Having an experienced tour leader or guide on the trip is a luxury that ensures all guests have a hassle-free experience. They have a trip schedule set out for them and someone to make sure it all goes off without a hitch.
Instead of worrying about where the private bus is and why it's late, travelers can be on the other end, enjoying their extra time taking in the sights while someone takes care of it. And that's why they will use a tour operator to make their trip arrangements this year.
In uncertain times, tour operators can provide travelers with a degree of certainty and security. They take on the administrative and planning work, leaving travelers free to enjoy their experience. For travel in 2021 and beyond, it partly makes up for the lost time under lockdown and away from loved ones.