The Future of Travel: Predictions and Hope for 2022 and Beyond

Yes, even in our topsy-turvy world, I’m still getting married. I’ve postponed the more significant celebration until later to ensure all my guests could be vaccinated and bypass the strict travel protocols in place. While this isn’t the state of travel today, it’s a reality we could all face soon enough. 

COVID is predicted to become flu-like, requiring yearly vaccinations to relieve the worst symptoms. The new normal for travel will be stylish face masks, socially distanced queues, and vaccination “fast passes.” Just think of South Korea meets Disneyland, and you’ll get the idea. And you may be asking why we couldn’t just return to the way things were before? Well, that’s because our behaviors and habits are changing irreversibly. Looking at the entire world’s response, it’s not that strange.

Facemasks have been a part of everyday life for billions of people well before the pandemic hit. It’s new to Western countries but not so unfamiliar to those in Eastern countries. With programs like CLEAR, Global Entry, and TSA-Pre, the notion that one could bypass these security protocols isn’t such an outrageous idea. So what does a Bollywood wedding in a post-pandemic world look like?

Front of the Line, Please

While we’ve had little cooperation between governments initially, we’re more likely to see a unified travel approach. Perhaps one issued by an entity like the World Health Organization that many of us will adopt. Every country will adhere to the process set forth by W.H.O. which would include digitally adding your vaccination records via blockchain to bypass the regular lines of temperature scanners and breathalyzers. Feel a little too far-fetched? What’s happening in travel builds upon the behaviors needed to make this a reality. Would you pay to skip the long lines or plan to deal with all the new check-in procedures? What if you were traveling internationally? Would that make a difference?

When you think about it, we already use our phones to manage our lives. When we head to the airport, we might pay for parking with Apple Pay or Google Wallet and scan pre-filled custom forms. Valet parking, bag drop-offs, and dinner on the go — all managed via your mobile phone. How much more difficult would adding your vaccination records and a temperature check be? I’m betting it wouldn’t be too hard to convince others, especially if it saved them time.

Patience and Preference

A.I. bots rule the hotel industry. Don’t believe me? Have you tried checking into a Marriott lately? You can check-in, request room service, and ask for another pillow before parking your car. This increasingly contactless service isn’t just suitable for helping us stay socially distanced; it’s also convenient! In many ways, it reduces some of the stress around traveling. Having interacted with hotel chatbots before, I always find that walking into my room with a bottle of champagne and orange juice puts me in a better mood. That might just be me, though!

Then we have the behavioral shifts of being socially distanced, which has generally made people more patient. Yes, of course; if you look at the news now and see how the U.S. is acting on Spring Break, that might seem out of control. But that’s where we must look East and see how South Korea has handled the pandemic, with bars and restaurants open until 11 pm. People are still gathering, and families are celebrating. We’re more aware of our space now and generally wait for others to finish their turn before we begin ours. I’ve seen a lot of kindness now than I have in years past. It makes one hopeful.

Grab a Lei to the left and a Mai Tai to the right.

Which brings me back to my original statement: What would my wedding look like in a post-pandemic world? Well, my guests would have their vaccination records sorted out and arrive on Oahu without queueing. They’d check into their hotel rooms while being shuttled around the hotel, socially distanced. Upon arrival, they’d pick up their room keys, drop off their suitcases and find snack packs waiting for them after that long flight. Feeling refreshed, they’d head to the pool, where appetizers and drinks awaited them. Now, in a setting explicitly curated for their enjoyment, they’d catch up with family, say hello to new friends, and it wouldn’t feel too different from traveling before. They might even feel it was easier when all was said and done.

Is that what my wedding will be like? I don’t know. What I do know is that travel will have changed forever. Suppose we can keep some of the patience and kindness I’ve seen and improve upon our technology. In that case, it will be a change I welcome, especially if it comes with a pineapple Mai Tai.