Rather than consulting with travel experts and poring over top travel publications, the Days to Come team is looking to you, dear readers, to help inspire our 2021 getaways.
We wanted to know all the places travellers like you are searching, booking, and dreaming about for future holidays, so we asked our friends at TourRadar to do a little digging into their user data.
After analysing stats to see which destinations are currently in-demand for 2021, we sifted through the results to pull out some of the biggest insights for future travel.
So, if you’re in need of some inspiration for your next escape or you’re just curious to see which countries are looking hot for 2021, read on to discover all the must-know details below.
Where are people planning to travel in 2021?
Based on searches and bookings with the highest spike in recent months, data from TourRadar shows the following holiday destinations are most popular for 2021 (drumroll please!):
Greece
With its dreamy coastlines, idyllic villages, and postcard-perfect islands, it’s no surprise this perennial favourite tops the list.
Spend your days sailing across the glittering Adriatic, exploring historic treasures, or soaking up the sun on glorious volcanic beaches. No matter what you’re looking for in a 2021 holiday, you’ll find it in Greece.
Plan your future Greece trip:
Italy
Even when borders were closed and planes were grounded, avid travellers were dreaming of wandering through Rome’s sprawling piazzas, devouring handmade pasta in Bologna, and sightseeing along the Amalfi Coast.
Now that the country is welcoming visitors again, it’s time to bring that dream Italian escape to life.
Plan your future Italy trip:
Iceland
Epic road trips, otherworldly views, and untouched wilderness galore — Iceland’s staggering landscapes will have you shaking off that cabin fever and getting back into the travel groove in no time at all.
Rent a car and explore the ever-popular Golden Circle route, reconnect with nature along the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, or head to the Westfjords to see a region that most visitors miss.
Plan your future Iceland trip:
Egypt
After months of postponing trips and rearranging travel plans, travellers are keen to check some big bucket list adventures off their list next year, and many are looking to Egypt for that once-in-a-lifetime holiday experience.
Cruise along the mighty Nile, dive the Red Sea, and lay eyes on the magnificent Pyramids of Giza — every activity in Egypt is an opportunity to embrace your inner explorer.
Plan your future Egypt trip:
- How to Spend Two Weeks in Egypt
- 10 Things to Know When Travelling to Egypt
- Your Guide to Visiting Egypt’s Pyramids of Giza
Japan
Tokyo and Osaka are iconic for good reason, but a trip to Japan is so much more than just futuristic mega-cities. Travel beyond the country’s modern metropolises and you’ll find everything from quaint mountain towns to coral-fringed coastlines and subtropical islands.
Nikko, Takayama, and Sapporo are a few underrated places worth exploring for an authentic taste of Japanese culture, cuisine, and natural beauty.
Plan your future Japan trip:
Domestic travel in the USA
With international travel still uncertain for many people at this time, savvy travellers — especially those from the USA — are heading off in search of adventure in their own backyards.
And with a backyard that encompasses world-famous national parks, wide-open spaces, and natural wonders of epic proportions, Americans are spoilt for choice when it comes to back-to-nature escapes in the United States.
Plan your future USA trip:
- Low Season USA Travel: 11 Adventures in Your Backyard
- We Rank the Best Places to Travel in the USA on a Budget
Additional insights
Now that we know where people are planning to travel in 2021, let’s dive a little deeper. Here are some additional insights into everything from 2021 departure dates to the types of trips people are booking.
People are taking off in spring and summer 2021. The most sought-after departure months for future holidays are from May to September 2021.
Travellers want more from their holidays. Adventure and cultural-focused tours are a few of the top travel styles globetrotters are booking for future vacations.
Backyard travel is big for 2021. As the world begins to open up, many travellers are staying close to home for their first taste of travel post-pandemic.
Finding adventure close to home
One commonality that stood out across the board is an increase in demand for domestic tours, so it looks like American travellers aren’t the only ones choosing to explore their own backyards.
Be it a road trip, staycation, or local weekend getaway, more and more people are hoping to discover the wonders on their doorsteps in the latter half of 2020 and into next year.
