COVID-19 fundamentally altered when, why, and how we travel — and, in turn, forever changed how we perceive it. As travel inches towards normalcy, technology through innovative startups is changing the traveler’s experience. These are the trends that are taking off:
Work from anywhere
When offices abruptly shut down due to COVID-19, companies had to quickly adopt a “remote-first” mindset as their teams became distributed; disrupting the traditional concept of the workplace.
This accelerated the use of enterprise technologies such as Zoom and Slack to enable seamless collaboration across distributed teams. As these technologies evolve, they will facilitate richer, more immersive experiences in the metaverse, making physical locations less of a barrier for employment. Several companies have already opted for permanent remote work like Twitter, Reddit, and Dropbox.
Remote-first work has created an untethered class of employees that can live and work from anywhere, and in turn, changed when and how long they travel. This newfound flexibility has motivated countries like Barbados and the UAE to offer remote work visas and innovative travel. Startups like Sojrn and Remote Year have capitalized on this trend by offering access to accommodations, co-working spaces, and communities all across the globe.
Wellness travel
The pandemic brought unprecedented strains on our society, putting wellness at the forefront of nearly every conversation. It also placed a heavy importance on the health and safety benefits of outdoor gatherings and the healing aspect of nature. As people spend more time online, many seek to plan travel experiences as a milestone event to look forward to.
Startups Tentrr and Cabana are reimagining traditional accommodations by helping people seamlessly plan their outdoor getaways to disconnect. The companies assist travelers with booking stays in remote camping grounds or mobile hotels, making natural destinations accessible.
Sustainability
The reduction in air travel (and subsequently, carbon emissions) over the past year has further demonstrated the need for sustainable solutions as we look toward the future travel experience. Today, 87% of consumers expect companies to pursue more sustainable products, services, and operations.
Many travel startups are pursuing advanced methods of measuring and reducing emissions to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint. One way this can be achieved is via alternative propulsion systems for trains, planes, and cars. An example of this in our own portfolio is Universal Hydrogen, a company creating hydrogen capsules and powertrains to fuel a carbon-free future for transportation.
Now more than ever, people are seeking work-friendly destinations with a preference for well-connected and sustainable options. It’s bound to be a great year ahead for the startups and technologies that can quickly capitalize on this new way of living and working.
