Reflecting on the future of travel

The events of my early 20s highlighted the value of travel for me personally. I began military service at the age of (18), and my life immediately became regimented, ordered outside of my control. This is how I understood what a privilege it is to have the freedom to explore.  

The events of this year have forced us all to reflect; on how we interact with one another, on our responsibility towards society and the world. This period of reflection is pertinent to our industry as travel has experienced the most significant halt in operations in our memory. The inability to travel freely, to explore, to discover has underscored the importance that global interaction plays in society.  

As soon as I had completed my service, I jumped on a plane to Alaska and then Asia and began travelling to new places, experiencing new cultures and have never looked back. I’ve since lived in 5 countries and built a career around facilitating others to do the same. Of course, I recognise that travel is a luxury not available to everyone but the principles of discovery, celebration of difference and openness to others is not predicated by going overseas. It is a philosophy, a way to approach the world, a tolerance and appreciation of other cultures that can exist close to home too.  

Covid-19 has challenged our ability to exist freely in every sense. While the safety of the world’s population is of paramount concern, the lasting impacts of Covid-19 will also have a profound effect on how we consider our future.  

At Skyscanner, we have spent the last six months in conversation with our travellers, understanding what is important to them in this new world and how we navigate it together. Today, we have released The New World of Travel report, which shares key insights and trends shaping the future of travel for all of us. This report explores a number of themes, including the psychology of exploration, the sustainability imperative, and the implications of the industry’s fate on economies and sectors.  This period must force us to reconsider how travel re-emerges and the shape it should take in the future.  

As an industry, it’s critical that we address several areas as we begin to rebuild what is one of the world’s largest and most influential economies. At Skyscanner, we have a vision for modern and sustainable travel with the traveller at its heart, where travel forms part of today’s society in a purposeful and inclusive way. In today’s divided world, travel now matters more than ever. 

Tourism will never look the same again but that is perhaps no bad thing. If we can re-emerge as an industry prioritising the elements that matter most to consumers and regenerate communities in sustainable ways, the world and how we experience it will have a bright and considerate future.