future travel one

The Future of Travel

What will it look like? Yes, there will be advances out of sci-fi, like space tourism and floating cities, but there will also be people-centered innovations that impact how we experience travel and where we choose to go. Whatever’s next, we’re ready for it.

Bright Ideas in Travel 2023

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How Your Next Dive Trip Can Help Save the Oceans

What It's Like to Go to Space as a Tourist—According to Virgin Galactic's First Astronauts

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Sustainability.

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The future of travel? For hyperloop, it’s one step forward, two steps back

Proponents of the futuristic concept say it could slash travel times between cities, but doubts about feasibility remain.

Taipei, Taiwan – Imagine boarding a train that glides above the ground at supersonic speeds.

Speeding through an airless tube using powerful electro-magnets, passengers could travel from San Francisco to Los Angeles, London to Paris, or Basra to Baghdad in less than an hour.

The train would be potentially greener than existing modes of transportation, too, using electricity that could be drawn from renewable energy sources.

While it may sound like the stuff of science fiction, scientists and engineers in multiple countries are working on making the concept of the so-called hyperloop a reality.

Hyperloop proponents, who include tech billionaire Elon Musk, have announced a series of recent breakthroughs in progressing the technology, whose development has been plagued by commercial setbacks and doubts about its feasibility.

“Now we’re getting closer to making it a reality,” Jonas Kristiansen Nøland, an associate professor at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology who researches zero-emission propulsion systems, told Al Jazeera.

Last week, Netherlands-based hyperloop company Hardt announced its first successful test run of a vehicle at its European Hyperloop Centre in Veendam.

Hardt said its test vehicle traversed the first 90 metres (295 ft) of the 420-metre (1378-ft) long facility at about 30 kilometres per hour (19 miles per hour), and that it hopes to reach 100km/h (62 miles/h) in its next test scheduled for later this year.

In August, China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), a Chinese state-run enterprise, reported that it had successfully propelled a prototype bullet train through a 2km (1.2-miles) long low-vacuum tube with “controlled navigation, stable suspension and safe stopping.”

CASIC’s announcement came after the company in February claimed to have reached a record top speed exceeding 620 km/h (385 miles/h) in a test run of a vehicle in a low-vacuum tube.

“It is quite extraordinary that they were able to reach such a speed,” Nøland said.

Jonathan Couldrick, an associate professor at the Australian National University College of Engineering, Computing and Cybernetics, said that a functioning hyperloop could vastly improve urban transportation.

“If you have two population centres across a large landmass that you need to link up, this technology could be the fastest way to get them from point A to point B,” he told Al Jazeera.

“Or in the case of a capital city that is starting to reach its limits – with people commuting two hours every day – then you can really spur population development outside the city even in remote communities.”

A handful of maglev trains, which use electromagnets to float above the tracks, have been put into operation worldwide, including in China, Japan and South Korea.

The hyperloop concept builds on maglev technology by proposing the use of depressurised tubes to reduce drag and boost the vehicle’s speed.

“With this type of system, you are basically trying to take the conditions of outer space and put them down on Earth,” Nøland said.

The basic concept of the hyperloop has existed for at least several hundred years, appearing in science fiction as far back as the 1800s.

In 2013, SpaceX founder and Tesla CEO Elon Musk released a white paper for a transportation system that would use capsules inside a low-pressure tube.

Musk’s paper theorised that such a system would be able to transport people, vehicles, and freight between Los Angeles and San Francisco at speeds of up to 1,220km/h (758 miles/h) an hour, slashing journeys to just 35 minutes.

In 2014, the company Hyperloop One was founded to develop the concept into a working transport system.

Despite attracting some $400m in funding and the backing of Virgin founder Richard Branson, the company shut down last year after investors began fleeing the project amid logistical challenges and concerns about the project’s feasibility.

“They burned a lot of cash rediscovering knowledge going back to the 1970s, and there was a lot of switching between different basic technologies for the system,” Nøland said.

Couldrick said that although CASIC’s proposed maglev is better insulated against investor flight due to its state backing, it is also likely to face hard questions and difficult challenges down the road.

Couldrick said that scaling up the system will require hundreds of kilometres of low vacuum tubes, with any breach or a crack posing the risk of compromising the whole system.

With hyperloop proponents envisaging top speeds of above 1,000 km/h, even a small flaw could set the stage for a high-speed disaster.

“And what happens if something hits it, or it is exposed to earth movements?” Couldrick told Al Jazeera.

Even if such risks are addressed, Couldrick said he has doubts about the technology given the limits that must be placed on any accelerating vehicle when human bodies are involved.

“Conversations are starting to be had whether maglevs could potentially reach high supersonic speeds (up to 4,000km/h) [2,485 miles/h],” Couldrick said.

“It is not speed that kills people, it is the acceleration that occurs when you start, stop and turn a corner,” he said.

Couldrick estimates that, to account for the acceleration that an average person can withstand, a vehicle would need hundreds of kilometres to accelerate to supersonic speeds and the same distance to decelerate.

While Couldrick sees rail technology making strides and believes supersonic rail has potential, he believes it will be a long time before maglev trains in low-vacuum tubes will be able to match air travel for speed or flexibility.

Nøland said that the lack of knowledge sharing is another major hindrance to overcoming the challenges facing the development of a functioning hyperloop.

“Right now, a lot of the vital knowledge needed to take us to the next step is behind closed doors,” he said.

Nøland believes that if a workable hyperloop maglev system does get developed, it will likely happen in East Asia.

“They already have experience with operating open-air maglev systems in that part of the world, and governments have also proved more willing to fund projects,” Nøland said.

While the initial hype around hyperloop systems has waned, the fact that the concept is still being pursued in multiple parts of the world has Nøland convinced that a working model is drawing closer.

“I think we will eventually see this technology play a role in the future,” he said.

“It is just a matter of where it will first emerge as a competitive alternative.”

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With the decline in air travel from the pandemic, the classic road trip has become more popular in America.

Here are 8 ways travel will change after the pandemic

What will travel look like in the future? We asked the experts.

With coronavirus cases continuing to spike in America and abroad, travelers with a United States passport remain grounded. To date, just nine countries are open to Americans without restrictions. If Belarus, Serbia , Zambia or any of the other six countries on that list aren’t in the cards, then travelers itching to get on an international flight will have to wait.

How long is still unknown. Elizabeth Becker, author of Overbooked: The Exploding Business of Travel and Tourism , notes that the pandemic “ decimated ” the $8 trillion global travel industry overnight. “Those essential pillars of 21st-century global travel—open borders, open destinations, and visa-free travel—won’t return in the short term or even medium term,” she says.

What does that mean for the future of travel? Despite the turbulence, experts are seeing blue skies. Bruce Poon Tip, author of Unlearn: The Year the Earth Stood Still and the founder of travel company G Adventures , says not only will we travel again, we’ll do it better. “I still believe travel can be the biggest distributor of wealth the world has ever seen,” he says. “This pause gives us the gift of time to consider how we can travel more consciously.”

From a renewed commitment to sustainable tourism to creative ways to globetrot from home, here’s how travel authors, bloggers, and podcasters are navigating.

( Related: These 25 destinations inspire future journeys and remind us why we love to travel .)

Sustainability will be a driving force

Tourists crowd St. ​Mark’s Square in Venice, Italy, in 2013. In the wake of the pandemic, experts predict there will be more interest in visiting less-crowded places.

One silver lining of the pandemic? Consumers are doubling down on sustainability . Becker predicts travelers will take on the role of “concerned citizens” demanding responsible travel policies. The industry will respond with active measures to prioritize a healthy world over profit margins. “Don’t be surprised if countries mandate ‘fly-free days’ and other measures to control climate change,” she says.

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Take action: Reduce your carbon footprint by purchasing offsets with companies such as Cool Effect and by staying at certified green hotels. Check sites like Book Different , which rates accommodations for eco-friendliness.

( Related: Here’s how Greece is rethinking its once bustling tourism industry .)

Our journeys will become more inclusive

The Black Lives Matter movement has brought the issue of representation to light in all industries, including travel. That’s overdue, says Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon . The award-winning journalist and TV host says she hopes the industry is moving toward meaningful change but worries that any change may be short-lived. “When the pandemic is past and the hashtags are no longer trending, will industry gatekeepers still be eager to attract, cater to, and celebrate travelers of color?” she writes in an email. “I’m cautiously optimistic but not completely convinced.”

Black Travel Alliance ’s Martinique Lewis feels the industry is moving in the right direction and remains hopeful. She notes that companies are addressing the needs of diverse customers and says it’s about time. “For the first time they are considering what a trans female goes through not only when choosing what bathroom to go in at a restaurant, but when she checks into a hotel and her license shows a different person,” says Lewis. “Now plus-size travelers wanting to surf and scuba but can’t because the lack of wetsuits in their size are being acknowledged. Now blind travelers who still want to experience tours and extreme sports while on holiday are thought of.”

Take action: Visit one of the nearly 200 living history museums in the U.S., where historic interpreters portray figures from the past. They shed light on painful issues (such as racism in America) and hidden narratives (such as those of people of color, whose stories have been suppressed).

Small communities will play a bigger role

Travelers can make a difference in small towns that were already struggling economically before the pandemic. Caz Makepeace of Y Travel Blog says she and her family have always traveled slowly to lesser-known areas, “rather than racing through destinations.” Now she’s supporting these places by patronizing local businesses and donating to nonprofits.

Kate Newman of Travel for Difference suggests travelers focus on “ global south ” or developing countries that depend on tourism. “We need to diversify our locations to avoid mass tourism and focus on the places that really need it,” she says. “Seeing so many communities suffer during COVID-19 has brought [this issue] to light.”

Take action: Turn to sustainable tourism educational and advocacy nonprofit Impact Travel Alliance to learn how to empower locals and protect the environment.

We’ll seek quality over quantity

High-mileage travelers are putting more thought into their bucket lists. “COVID-19 has allowed me to rethink how and why I travel,” says Erick Prince of The Minority Nomad . “It’s given me the freedom to explore travel projects for passion instead of the paycheck.” Rather than focusing on paid gigs, the blogger, who lives in Thailand, says he’ll be embarking on a self-funded project to highlight off-the-beaten-track provinces in his adopted country.

Eulanda Osagiede, of Hey Dip Your Toes In , is putting the breaks on international trips, citing travel as a privilege many take for granted. “Privilege comes in many forms, and the act of recognizing our travel-related ones have called us to think about traveling more intentionally and less often—if ever the world begins to look similar to its pre-pandemic days.”

Take action: Check the Transformational Travel Council for resources and recommendations on operators who can help organize meaningful journeys.

The road trip will kick into high gear

For many, road trips may be the only feasible option for travel right now, and frequent fliers like Gabby Beckford of Packs Light are revving up. Driving across state lines can be just as exciting as flying across international borders; it’s about the mindset. “Road-tripping has shown me that the core of travel—curiosity, exposure to newness, and wonder—[is] a perspective, not a destination,” she says.

Take action : Plan a coronavirus-conscious trip to Colorado, home to superlative stargazing sites —and what may become the world’s largest Dark Sky reserve.

Some high-mileage travelers say they plan to focus on meaningful experiences at out-of-the-way areas, like Chimney Tops in Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains National Park .

( Related: Check out these eight epic drives across America .)

Travel advisors will become essential

Conde Nast Traveller sustainability editor Juliet Kinsman predicts a shift to booking travel through agents and established operators, noting their invaluable knowledge and industry connections. “I think what 2020 has shown and taught us is the expertise and financial protection of booking through a travel agent often outweighs the amount you pay in commission,” she says. Additionally, she hopes that consumers will look to agents who specialize in the environment. “Those who care about where they send their customers can intuitively cut through greenwash and really ensure every link in the supply chain is an honorable one,” she says.

Related: Amazing architecture you can see from your car window

Take action: Find a travel advisor : The American Society of Travel Advisors maintains a database that allows travelers to search by destination, type of journey (such as eco-tourism or genealogy), and cohort (such as LGBTQ+ travelers). Virtuoso , a network of advisors specializing in luxury travel, can help with good deals, convenient itineraries, and tailored experiences.

We’ll appreciate staying closer to home

Some are discovering the benefits of travel even at home. Blogger Jessie Festa of Epicure & Culture and Jessie on a Journey normally travels internationally once a month. These days, online cultural cooking classes, games, and virtual experiences are helping her “to keep the spirit of travel alive by considering the feelings that travel elicits,” she says. Exchanging postcards with her extended travel community is another “beautiful way to ‘experience’ travel again, safely,” she adds.

“When we compare everything to being locked up indefinitely in our respective towers, a walk to the park can feel like travel,” says blogger Chris Mitchell of Traveling Mitch . “Now people are willing to see the magic in a meal on a patio at a restaurant down the street.”

Take action: Get outside, says the Norwegian concept “ friluftsliv ,” an idea of outdoor living that promises to make the pandemic’s colder months more bearable.

( Related: Here’s why walking is the ideal pandemic activity .)

Planning trips will become joyful again

Although some people are making the best of being grounded, this difficult period is reminding them that travel is important for boosting mental health and personal growth. There’s research to back it up. A 2013 survey of 483 U.S. adults found that travel improves empathy, energy, attention, and focus. Planning a trip is just as effective—a 2014 Cornell study showed that looking forward to travel substantially increases happiness, more than anticipating buying material goods.

Joanna Penn can attest to the healing benefits of both. The U.K.-based author and podcaster behind The Creative Penn and Books and Travel normally travels to research her books. “For me my writing life is all about what I learned when I travel,” she said in a recent podcast, “the ideas that come from being someplace new.” Her future trips will include walking the Camino de Santiago in 2022. Studying maps and determining a route makes her feel like she’s working toward a real goal. “I can expand my comfort zone without too much stress, especially if I accept that things might get canceled,” she said.

Take action: Plan a trip now, with inspiration from this essay on why travel should be considered an essential human activity.

Related Topics

• CORONAVIRUS
• SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
• MENTAL HEALTH
• VOLUNTOURISM

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The Future of Travel: Big Ideas for the Next Decade

While January brings a deluge of headlines predicting the year ahead, optimism for the travel industry in 2021 remains grim in the aftermath of a devastating year. “Aviation is in crisis,” the International Air Transport Association (IATA) 2020 Annual Review concluded. “This is the most profound de-connecting of modern society since World War II.”

In March, shortly after the World Health Organisation declared Covid-19 a pandemic, Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky recalled in a Wall Street Journal story that he was told by board member and former American Express Co. Chief Executive Kenneth Chenault, “This is going to be bigger than 9/11 and 2008 combined. This is your defining moment as a leader.”

History has shown that great companies are built in the shadows of economic peril. Beyond new trends of people staying in Airbnbs within driving distance of home or leveraging no-fly holidays from Byway , there’s a lot to look forward to—and remain patiently optimistic about—when considering the future of travel in the decade ahead.

1. The future of travel will be fast

Boom is building supersonic passenger jets that will fly twice as fast as today’s commercial planes, meaning you’ll be able to get from New York to London in just a few hours and from San Francisco to Tokyo without losing a day.

“... within our lifetimes, we're going to find that the cheapest fare is the fastest fare [and] if that sounds just impossibly too good to believe, remember that the propeller flights to Hawaii don't exist anymore,” Boom’s founder/CEO Brian Scholl shared in an interview on the Pioneer Podcast with Daniel Gross .

So what will the world look like when flights are faster, more convenient, and more affordable? Can world crises be averted if global leaders can fly faster to meet in person— and still make it home in time for dinner? What if the next generation grows up and the idea of foreign is foreign? Boom’s XB-1 development paves the way for the Overture plane which Scholl’s says will carry passengers by 2029.

2. The future of travel will be green

“We do hope to have green aviation fuel, but we don't have that today. For a lot of people, their flying would be a significant category of emissions that they're connected to. In my case, it's by far the largest category, so I’ve gone out and funded green aviation fuel to offset. It's very expensive, but I want to set a good example,” Bill Gates shared with Rashida Jones during an episode of their Ask Big Questions podcast .

In the next decade, airlines will spend more time focused on green aviation. Some airlines may even give passengers a chance to pay a surcharge on tickets to support the flight's sustainable aviation fuel. For now, however, “We're at very early days. I mean, one percent of aviation fuel is green today. It will take decades to get that number up,” Gates continued.

In the meantime, expect to see a generation committed to climate change who engage in “ flight shaming .” Gen Z, or Zillennials, the group born between 1996 and 2016 that will overtake Millennials in earnings around 2031, won’t tolerate corporate greenwashing. Sustainability will drive Zillennial purchase decisions in the airline and travel industries, according to BofA’s August 2020 survey of more than 14,000 Gen Z members .

We’ll also see increased investment in emerging carbon removal technologies through programmes like Stripe Climate that help companies direct a fraction of their revenue to emerging carbon removal technologies and more businesses reporting progress toward becoming carbon neutral.

Annual impact reports will even share how many metric tons of carbon offsets and renewable energy credits have been purchased to relieve large footprints from compute infrastructure and executive travel. This trend is already starting in travel with jetBlue becoming the first airline to join The Climate Pledge in December 2020, joining companies like Amazon, Mercedes-Benz, and Verizon in pledging to be net-zero carbon by 2040—a decade ahead of the Paris Agreement’s goal of 2050.

3. The future of travel will be powered by social maps and augmented reality (AR)

Try Snap Map now: https://map.snapchat.com/ . Type the name of a favourite city and discover what’s happening. Proving no one is too old for it, you don’t even need the Snapchat app to be one of the 200 million people who touch the map every month.

Did you know there's a generation growing up with a map that’s personal and social, showing where their friends are in the world and what they’re up to at any moment in time? In the future, when they travel, they will expect maps to be more dynamic than they are today. What cool events are happening in the city I’m in? What’s the vibe of this cafe or shop I want to check out today? What does this place or landmark look like right now ? Maps like Snap Map, largely powered by the tech startup Mapbox , make it all possible.

While it’s easy to dismiss Snapchat as a trendy app for teenagers leveraging disappearing images with fun AR filters, it’s smart to remember Snap is a camera company now used by 75% of 13-34 year olds in the US. It reaches more people than both Twitter and TikTok combined, and has even expanded globally into major emerging markets like India. When the world was especially turbulent in 2020, users could zoom into any place on Snap Map to see what was happening live on the ground through Snapchat Stories shared by the community.

Why does it matter that Snap is a camera company? Because they’re a quiet powerhouse in AR. Snap Landmarkers helps creators build filters for various landmarks around the world. It’s a fun way to add, experience, and share a creative layer to iconic places like the Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal, the Chinese Theatre, and the Capitol Building. [ Learn more about the making of AR Landmarkers here .]

And Snap Local Lenses makes it possible to build right on top of any neighbourhood and decorate buildings with a colourful paint experience with friends. [ Learn more about the making of AR Local Lenses here .]

On the more practical side, Snap Scan gives anyone with a camera phone faster knowledge about the world around them. Want to know what plant, tree, or dog you’re looking at in a new place? Just use the Snapchat camera with PlantSnap to identify 90% of all known plants and trees or Dog Scanner to recognise almost 400 breeds.

4. The future of travel will include hypersonic rockets—and space travel for Earthlings

SpaceX plans to fly their rockets like an aircraft and do both point-to-point trips on Earth and journeys to Mars in the next decade.

“You can take off from New York City or Vancouver and fly halfway across the globe. You'll be on the [Starship] for roughly half an hour...and the longest part [of the trip] is actually the boat out and back,” Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX’s long-time President & COO told Chris Anderson in a 2018 interview . "It's definitely going to happen. This is definitely going to happen...within a decade for sure"

But will anyone be able to afford it?

“So, the first ship is going to have roughly 100 passengers. Everyone thinks rockets are really expensive and to a large degree they are. And how could we possibly compete with airline tickets here?" Shotwell explains, "But if you think about it, if I could do this trip in half an hour to an hour, I can do dozens of these a day, right? ... So, even if my rocket was slightly more expensive and the fuel is a little bit more expensive, I can run 10X what they're running in a day and really make the revenue that I need to out of that system. ”

Using the same capability, Shotwell believes SpaceX will land the first human on Mars in the next decade in a trip that will take three months. And for the crazy ones who want to help build this future, Musk tweeted in June 2020 that “SpaceX is building floating, superheavy-class spaceports for Mars, moon & hypersonic travel around Earth” with a link to jobs they’re hiring for in Texas.

5. The future of travel will be integrated and Duffel will power it

The future of travel will feel frictionless. Flight delayed? The rest of your trip will update automatically, meaning no need to waste time changing airport pickups, hotel bookings, and dinner reservations. From developer integrations like Snap Minis that could mean travellers are booking trips collaboratively with friends inside the Snapchat app, or inside WeChat in China or Yandex in Russia—more planning and more travel will happen within a single app that’s also used for chat, maps, and other social experiences.

The companies leading with developer-first platforms and top-notch dealmaking teams will be the winners that make it possible. Former Uber COO Emil Michael, the prolific dealmaker of the company’s $100 million American Express partnership and the sale of Uber China to Didi for $8 billion after building it in just 24 months with $2 billion in subsidies, recently argued against the “great companies are bought, not sold” adage on the podcast Operators with Delian .

Instead, Michael suggests dealmakers who win are those who lead business development functions with a long-term mindset—meaning they're always building relationships with potential acquirers to call and create tension quickly when considering a sale. Dealmakers who operate like this will become the ultimate builders of the frictionless future of travel.

Duffel and the Future of Travel

It’s still the very early days for Duffel.

Skift called Duffel “the startup that could bring airline ticket shopping to Amazon" following the launch of our self-serve Flights API, which enables anyone to start selling flights fast. Steve Domin, Duffel’s founder/CEO, even shared a quick demo showing how to book a flight in just five minutes with less than 20 lines of code .

In the future, Duffel will power the infrastructure for travel across every major platform. In the same way Stripe, AWS, and Shopify rebuilt the infrastructure for payments, compute, and entrepreneurship, Duffel is becoming the new operating system for travel. Meaning? This is big.

The pandemic, however, looms larger—much of the world is still in the very dark days of it. The loss of life and the collective loss of human potential it represents is harrowing. Yet the progress and speed at which science and technology helped accelerate vaccine development in the past year is where we can find slivers of light.

And with that, we remain patiently optimistic and still believe in a future where travel will once again have the power to bring people together.

Companies from around the world like Milla Travel (Chile), Ulysse (France), Bacarai (US), and neobank Pelikin (Australia) are already powering a revolution in travel as they build with Duffel. It’s easy to get started for free . We’re even waiving fees and giving every customer their first 1,000 orders for free in 2021 with our Starter plan.

Want to help shape the future of travel?

We’re hiring in London and New York . Duffel is one of Y Combinator’s Top Companies , one of the most exciting fast-growing UK tech companies according to Growth Business , and honoured by Otta’s 2021 Rocket List as one of the fastest-growing companies in London to accelerate your career.

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13 trends that will shape travel in the future

The European safari is coming of age with immersive natural experiences

Spurred on by a surge of enthusiasm for adventures nearer home and the revival of European megafauna through rewilding projects , partnerships between conservationists and green-minded hosts are shooting up like mushrooms. Travel company Wild Frontiers, usually focused on Pakistan , is striding into Poland and Slovakia’s towering Tatra Mountains with bear-spotting trips while Much Better Adventures is setting up moose- and wolf-tracking expeditions in Sweden ’s pristine boreal forest. But for a good indicator of where we’ll head for our next outdoor fix, non-profit Rewilding Europe points the way, and currently all eyes are on Portugal . The group is coordinating the regeneration of a 120,000-hectare corridor in the Côa Valley to safeguard bee-eaters and Egyptian vultures, just some of the species reliant on the area’s receding river gorges and oak woods. Local ventures are also seeding experiences across the region that will connect the Malcata mountains and the Douro Valley. Another crucial country is Italy , where the restoration of the Venetian lagoon and its salt marshes is being championed by Jane da Mosto, co-founder of We Are Here Venice, while earlier this year the Conservation Collective launched a foundation to turbo-charge efforts throughout Italy’s Renaissance heartland: among the Tuscan estates involved is Terre di Sacra, a handful of villas and a glamping site on reclaimed land. And the Netherlands is often overlooked as a wilderness destination: in the Dutch Maashorst nature reserve, guests can view bison and Exmoor ponies from a sunken bathtub at the new larchwood Cabin Anna, a nifty piece of architecture that can slide in half to create a viewing platform in the middle. But if you think nature might need a break from this discovery boom, the six-part TV series Europe’s New Wild , out now, is bringing the story straight to our screens. Holly Tuppen

Small-yet-mighty kiosks across the planet are pivoting to hubs for caffeine and counter-movements, and putting the new back in newsstand

When lockdown shuttered cities around the globe, newsstand vendors not only provided access to headlines but also a tonic for isolation – a screen break for the square-eyed. As a result, their renaissance is rooted in community and they have become metropolitan markers for collaboration and creativity. Last year New York ’s legendary West Village stalwart Casa Magazines was saved when one loyal customer helped launch a crowdfunding campaign Meanwhile in Spain start-up News & Coffee revived Barcelona ’s quioscos by swapping tacky souvenirs for artisanal coffee – dailies now sit next to indie titles such as 032c and Ark Journal and murals by local artists cover the exterior. In São Paulo , residents sip kombucha-like switchel while sifting through zines about Brazil ’s carnival culture at Banca do Kiro’s bubblegum-pink space in Pinheiros . And by partnering with local pavement vendor Mrs Ha, AKA Rittenhouse in Philadelphia is the first hotel to provide a kiosk room service, delivering newspapers as well as popular snacks such as M&M’s and Snickers at non-minibar prices.

Publishers are also taking fate into their own hands – in London, Graydon Carter’s Air Mail gave Shreeji Newsagents in Marylebone a polished rebrand; in Manhattan, the Columbia Journalism Review staged a ‘fake news’ stand to help readers recognise misinformation. But nowhere does street culture quite like Italy , where architecture firm Luca Molinari Studio has launched the Newsstand of the Future design competition. Giving a glimpse of what that might look like independent publishing house Emergenze took over an abandoned stall in Perugia and turned it into Edicola 518, a pitstop for open-air book readings. Elsewhere in Rome , Edicola Quisco has modernised the paper round by bringing people their daily headline fix via a yellow-fronted Piaggio Ape van. Finally, cutting-edge construction experts Rubner Haus unveiled Milan’s first sustainable iteration – a wooden hut-style booth. The concept of the newsstand has turned a page just in time to prove that #printisnotdead. By Anna Prendergast

CLUBHOUSE PUTS THE FOCUS BACK ON AUDIO. IS THIS A NEW DAWN FOR GLOBAL DISCOURSE OR ANOTHER PLATFORM FOR POSING?

Communication has been part of the way we travel ever since someone wanted to tell their fellow cave-dwellers that the elk in the next valley looked a lot tastier than their usual prey. And the ways we communicate are diverse – from the telegram (sadly defunct. stop) to Telegram, the messaging app favoured by protest movements around the world. Social media , of course, has been puffing more smoke signals than anything and many may be aware of Clubhouse, the iPhone-only audio app that appeared last year and whose early adopters include Elon Musk, Ai Weiwei and Virgil Abloh. It’s by invite only (members initially get two to send out) and once in, you can browse a growing number of virtual chat rooms – each with a moderator supervising – eavesdropping on any discussions happening in real time and raising a hand in order to take part.

It has some of the feeling of a live podcast and a virtual conference, but also elements of Eighties chat lines and freshers’ week – all those societies enticing you to join. On Clubhouse, the individual rooms include Afropolitan Lounge, Women’s Powerhouse and Culture Club for streetwear. Dial in to discuss solo travel or queer Bollywood and you may be distracted by a roomful of Americans auditioning for the best British accent, or an impromptu celebrity appearance by Oprah or Mark Zuckerberg. After a year of maintaining eye contact on Zoom, the appeal is obvious. For sharing ideas and perspectives, audio can be nuanced and reflective, with no need for emojis or reactions to signal mood or tone. Whether Clubhouse becomes oversubscribed by staged, self- conscious posturing like so much of social media – ‘Listen to me!’ instead of ‘Look at me!’, as Kate Murphy, the author of You’re Not Listening , has it – or a valuable asset for genuine communication, remains to be seen. Or rather, heard.

Revamped fabrics are on everyone's agenda

Life would surely be easier if we all wore leaves. The very first style accessory, after all, was a fig leaf, worn just so; and our distant ancestors covered up by stitching together vegetation, bark and grass. Totally biodegradable, a Lincoln-green riposte to fast fashion – textiles make up an estimated five per cent of landfill – and the practice of logging ancient forests to make viscose. But a more pragmatic alternative, perhaps, is to upcycle. Make do and mend. This rucksack has been repurposed from a patchwork of camouflage military- surplus fabric, stitched with recycled fibres that would otherwise be binned, and can be converted into all sorts of configurations – making it as practical and useful as a Swiss Army knife. It’s part of an outdoors- inspired capsule collection called Eye/Loewe/Nature, with the Spanish house donating a percentage to environmental NGO Ambiente Europeo. As everyone knows, there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes. Printed-textile convertible backpack, £1,100, Eye/Loewe/Nature

Ancient communities take control of their heritage and safeguard their survival

This wooden hut, pictured , may be fresh and new, but the landscape around it has been trodden for millennia. It’s part of the Wukalina Walk in north-east Tasmania , a three-night experience that heads across woodland, heath and seashell-scattered sands at the heart of the Palawa, or Tasmanian Aboriginal, homeland. Guests stay in architect-designed cabins, and along the way learn about medicinal plants, cooking muttonbird, the Palawa’s creation story and how they were nearly wiped from the face of the earth after British colonisation in the early 19th century. It’s a rare expedition, made even more so by the fact that this is one of the few travel outfits in Australasia owned and run by Aborigines. Indigenous tourism is a subject fraught with ethical questions – fears that ways of life are eroded by a dependency on tourist income, that villages become human zoos. But done sensitively, on a small scale, it can help communities to survive and create a dialogue with respect on both sides.

In northern California , the Yurok tribe invites visitors to its redwood-covered territory to float down the river in a hand-dug canoe, considered a living spirit; in Norway , Nils Sara, a Sami reindeer herder who partners with Scandi-based Visit Natives, arranges Arctic homestays for travellers to join in everyday life – ice-fishing, throwing a lasso, feeding the herd. ‘My community has always been seen as the product,’ says Suzanne Thompson, who was raised in Barcaldine, Queensland, and has helped to launch ‘guesting on-country’ trips on Aboriginal land belonging to the Kunngeri, Iningai and Bidjera peoples. ‘But we want to flip the narrative. If we take on the responsibility of being the host, it changes the way we’re perceived. We’ll take people out, make spear tips and emu callers, collect ochre for painting, even fix the water pump. For a long time it’s felt as if we haven’t been seen or heard – just the didgeridoo busker in the shopping centre – but it’s time that Australia celebrates our culture and lets us lead.’

The rise of regal architecture

We’ve been crushing on palatial design for a while now – from the lavish sets on The Crown to the knowing new chintz epitomised by designers such as Martin Brudnizki ( Annabel’s in London ) and Laura Gonzalez ( Paris ’s Lapérouse restaurant). At the dawn of the 2020s, though, only living like a royal will do. In 2020 Edinburgh specialist Lateral City opened nine apartments in Abbey Strand at Holyrood Palace – the Queen’s official residence in Scotland – with a physic garden redesigned by Prince Charles.

Meanwhile, Jaipur’s City Palace – its pink façade is straight out of one of Wes Anderson’s more fantastical dreams – became the first royal home to list on Airbnb. The 21-year-old maharajah is offering stays in the baby-blue Gudliya Suite, with proceeds helping women’s charities. And in late 2021, Six Senses ’ first Indian foray will be set in a 14th-century fort once owned by the Rajasthani royal family, with a design that’s heavy on marbled splendour.

But few openings will be as buzzed-about as 2021's 14-room Airelles Le Grand Contrôle, in the old financial controller’s building at the Palace of Versailles. ‘We want it to feel like you’re walking into the 18th century,’ says interior designer Christophe Tollemer, who has taken primary inspiration from Marie-Antoinette’s Le Petit Trianon and has gone all-out for period accuracy, using only original furniture.

As in Louis XIV’s time, the grandest suites will be on lower floors (the staff lived upstairs). Guests will have exclusive access to the palace after the hordes depart. But even the bombastic king didn’t have a spa and an Alain Ducasse restaurant . The poor chap. Toby Skinner

The surprising things happening in the UK's forests

Once upon a time, the world was almost all forest. It grew into a place to be feared and worshipped, a place of escape. Ancient myths and fairy tales emerged from the bracken, pursued by modern horror. The crack of broken twigs; the trail of breadcrumbs beneath the boughs. Over the past century, though, the main narrative has been one of disappearance – of out-of-control logging, wildlife in retreat, fires raging. And, of course, these areas are needed now more than ever, an issue addressed by Among the Trees , the spring 2020 show at London ’s Hayward Gallery, where pieces by Tacita Dean, Steve McQueen and others explored the symbiotic role woods play in shaping civilisations.

An open-cast mine in the Midlands an hour away is becoming the Young People’s Forest, encouraging youthful volunteers to dig in and plant saplings. And as the meditative philosophy of shinrin-yoku – forest bathing – reaches peak mindfulness, other ventures celebrate the transformative power of trees. In France , Loire Valley Lodges in protected woodland is an immersive retreat; while The Forest BIG in Taiwan is a striking nature-study space set in a rewilded former theme park. In Norway, meanwhile, a specially grown plantation is providing raw material for the Future Library project, an artwork of 100 original stories by authors such as Margaret Atwood, not to be printed or read until 2114. Until then, the sleeping-beauty manuscripts, one of which is written every year, will take up residence in Oslo ’s new sustainably minded library. It’s an exercise in long-term environmental thinking: a concept that trees are all too familiar with.

Board games are bouncing back across the world

Season three of Stranger Things was the one with the shopping mall and the return of the Mind Flayer – but it was also the one in which Will Byers kept plaintively asking his friends, ‘Can we just play Dungeons & Dragons now?’ This fantasy classic came of age in the 1980s and since its appearance in the retro-nostalgia TV show its role-play has been quickly adopted by not-around-the-first-time millennials. But this isn’t the only box in the cupboard.

Tabletop gaming is flourishing, and dusty rule books from old-school hits such as Cluedo, Risk and Monopoly have been torn up: rather than just rolling dice and plonking counters around, the new generation of games focuses on more female characters, collaboration over conflict, and evolution.

In addition to Catan (building settlements and trading), the most influential are Carcassonne (creating a medieval landscape) and Ticket to Ride (connecting cities by rail), each involving maps and an element of travel – the latter around the golden age of steam or, in newer versions, the New York Subway and Swinging Sixties London. Then there’s Dawn of Worlds, in which everyone creates a map and storyline together; Ishtar, for planting trees in the desert; Paupers’ Ladder, based in an alternative Brighton , and Tokaido, pictured, a gentle pilgrimage set in Japan in which the aim is, well, to try to have a nice day – go for a walk, visit a teahouse.

In the unfortunately topical Pandemic, players with different skill sets – scientist, medic – team up to vanquish a series of global infections. ‘That sense of working together to solve problems, coming up with a plan, is why I play board games,’ says Christopher Eggett, whose Tabletop Gaming magazine is behind the UK ’s newest festival dedicated to them. ‘They can be discursive, almost like parlour games or escape-room puzzles, and one way of connecting people that doesn’t have to revolve around alcohol.’ While fans continued online during lockdown via Tabletop Simulator, gaming bars and cafés – Snakes & Lattes in Toronto , Café Meisia in Paris – are hoping to open again soon. They’re not only meeting places for like-minded travellers, but also testing grounds for ideas created by players to be crowd-funded into a box of their own. Your turn...

Retro airships are having a renaissance

The game of historical ‘What if?’ is a favourite pastime among academics and screenwriters alike. How would the world have turned out if Napoleon had never been defeated, or Kennedy never assassinated? Another question is: supposing the airship hadn’t crashed and burned in the 1930s but instead taken off as an everyday mode of transport? Propellers whirring, these silent leviathans of the stratosphere glide through parallel universes in fantasy fictions such as His Dark Materials and Doctor Who , but now they’re returning to our own timeline.

In a race similar to those goggle-eyed rivalries of early aviation, several contenders are vying to reinflate the zeppelin’s reputation, using helium rather than highly flammable hydrogen, and emitting up to 90 per cent less carbon than conventional aircraft.

In France, Flying Whales is readying a cargo vessel for lift-off in 2023, able to unload its freight without touching down and serve remote communities. On this side of the Channel, Hybrid Air Vehicles – which adds wings to the familiar blimpish dirigible – is preparing to carry travellers on short hops in its Airlander 10, pictured. Across the Irish Sea, for example, or from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon. ‘They can land on any flat surface or water, so don’t need an airstrip – they can go anywhere,’ says Tom Grundy of the Bedfordshire-based outfit.

Another destination, for which tickets are already being sold, is the Arctic. In the frost-lipped story of polar exploration, it’s often forgotten that the first flight over the North Pole was in an airship called Norge in 1926, which had Roald Amundsen on board. Floating low and slow, the new OceanSky trip will take 16 passengers from Svalbard across the icy wastes, the only sound the rushing of the wind outside. There will be a chef, and a glass-floored viewing bar. But not, as there was on the ill-fated Hindenburg, a smoking room.

Outdoor pursuits: rough cycling

MAMILs’ – Middle-Aged Men In Lycra – may not yet be endangered, but their population is no longer booming. The otter-sleek Wiggins wannabes, oft-spotted on the edges of Surrey’s A3100, are being replaced by a new generation eager to get off the tarmac.

‘Rough stuff’ is the catch-all term for a different kind of cycling, often on hybrid adventure or gravel bikes which have drop handlebars like the road version but are sturdier, able to traverse muddy bridleways and mountain passes. The new rough cyclist might go on bikepacking trips, where clunky panniers are out and lightweight Rapha frame bags are in, to tour the trails around Girona or the mountains of Kyrgyzstan .

This tribe is merely the latest, though. The world’s oldest off-road bike club, the Rough-Stuff Fellowship, was founded in 1955. Rides may have included heading to Everest base camp or through Iceland on rudimentary touring bikes, but are as likely to involve a pootle across a Peak District fen for tea and scones.

Membership has doubled over the past year, partly the result of the group collating its archive of bucolic pre-Lycra photographs into a book and joyous Instagram account . ‘It’s less competitive than road- or mountain biking; more about nature and community,’ says Max Leonard, a cycling journalist and author, and recent RSF member. ‘There’s no dogma, it’s very inclusive. It’s that feeling of riding you have as a kid. Just freedom and fun.’

Mushroom farms are the curious must-have addition for eco hotels

Like a cloud of spores drifting through a woodland clearing, the uses of fungi are myriad and marvellous. They’ve become something of a poster child for plant-based food, and are a necessary part of fermentation. Psilocybin, the psychedelic compound in magic shrooms, is being microdosed to boost creativity at wellness retreats such as Synthesis in the Netherlands.

And while home-growing kits have been a lockdown hit, a mushroom farm has become almost compulsory for any hotel seeking to prove its eco credentials: at Battlesteads in Northumberland it’s in a shipping container; The Newt in Somerset grows oyster mushrooms on straw; the Maldives’ Soneva Fushi has a hut with a resident mycologist; and The Standard East Village in New York added a little plot to its café – neon-lit like a fish tank. They’re even colonising disused underground car parks across Paris .

‘You can set one up almost anywhere,’ says Adam Sayner of urban farmers GroCycle. ‘I’ve seen one on the third floor of an office block – it can be quite a surprise to draw the curtain aside.’

Of course, if you’re a mushroom, you’ve probably heard all this before on the so-called Wood Wide Web, the subterranean network that allows trees and plants to communicate with each other, formed from mycelium. It’s a substance that is being adopted by designers to create footwear and furniture, as well as a leather-like material known as Reishi and made by LA -based MycoWorks. Admirable, but not quite as impressive as the boat crafted from mycelium by a student in Nebraska. Christened Myconoe, it took only 14 days to grow and has already been on several voyages. The future of sustainable travel could lie just beneath our feet. Jemima Sissons

Pilgrimages are setting a fresh pace

The first guidebook wasn’t a Baedeker appreciation of the Rhineland or a where-to-water-the-servants Grand Tour pamphlet, but a tome called the Codex Calixtinus . This was a 12th-century guide to the Camino de Santiago, the 500-mile Catholic pilgrimage route across France and northern Spain to the burial place of St James, with advice on where to seek sanctuary, which scams to avoid, and how the men of Gascony were libidinous, poorly dressed drunks, but also pretty generous hosts. It’s easy to imagine the medieval wanderer, like the Nineties backpacker with a dog-eared Lonely Planet , settling into a tavern then looking around, peeved that so many other people had stumbled upon the same place.

But while the idea of pilgrimage will always have a Chaucerian ring to it, record numbers are now walking the Camino – more of them under 30 than over 60, a majority female, and packing not a devout set of beliefs but a desire for back-to-basics slow travel. ‘The impulse to go on a quest, to step out and return with new knowledge, is deep-rooted,’ says Guy Hayward of the British Pilgrimage Trust. ‘ Walking opens up different ways of thinking, and the changing landscape is just as stimulating as a Netflix splurge. You get such a rich mix of people on pilgrimages, and they’re great for solo and inter-generational travel .’

Among other classics are the Kumano Kodō trail in Japan and Adam’s Peak in Sri Lanka ; fresh routes include the recently rediscovered Old Way, from Southampton to Canterbury, and the Western Front Way, leading 600 miles across the French and Belgian battlefields of WWI, while 2020’s Year of Cathedrals encouraged shorter, single-day peregrinations. After all, the whole idea of a holiday, or holy day, started with pilgrimage – in the end, all paths are circular.

A sustainable approach to man-made isles

Man-made islands don’t have a great rep. Take Dubai ’s Palm Islands, Doha’s The Pearl-Qatar or the soon-to-open Ocean Flower near Hainan, China , with its Avatar water parks and liquified-glass seven-star hotel – each representing humans’ air-conditioned dominion over nature.

But architects are starting to design next-level islands with a new sensitivity, seeking to complement rather than overwhelm the environment. Look at eco-forward Denmark , where city planners Urban Power are working to build Holmene, a wind-turbine-powered tech hub and flood barrier on nine isles near Copenhagen . Or to Manhattan, where Thomas Heatherwick’s Little Island urban park (formerly Pier 55), on columns in the Hudson, will be home to 100 species of trees and shrubs.

Neither, though, goes quite as far as Marker Wadden, an archipelago in the Dutch Markermeer inland sea north of Amsterdam . Gradually built from sand, clay and silt since 2016, four of the islands are home to wetlands colonised by birds such as pied avocets.

On the fifth, four huts will open in 2021 for overnight visits, built in Rem Koolhaas style with sky-high windows, Tetris-like wood details and climate-neutral solar panels. It’s already home to a watchtower that looks like a submarine telescope, pictured, but otherwise there’s only beach and birdsong. ‘We’re trying to wipe the slate clean and create a new natural paradise,’ says project director Roel Posthoorn. ‘We want people to throw their shoes off and just be at peace.’ Mike MacEacheran

Now watch Fogo Island Inn's Zita Cobb on her refreshing approach to travel and business:

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What will the future of travel look like? TPG asks 8 industry experts

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

In April 2020, nearly a month after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Points Guy polled 16 travel industry experts on the future of travel.

At that time, airlines had grounded large parts of their fleets, cruise ships were docked, popular tourist attractions were shuttered and there was no vaccine on the immediate horizon. The U.S. government went on to inject $54 billion into the airline industry alone between March 2020 and March 2021.

Related: What will the future of travel look like? TPG asked 16 industry experts

Nearly two years later, it's been up and down for the travel industry. Airlines have added more flights, more employees and brought aircraft back out of desert storage. Countries and popular tourist attractions such as Disneyland have reopened, albeit with COVID-19 protocols in place. Cruise ships started leaving U.S. ports again in March 2021.

But the industry has also had to deal with the rise of the delta variant of the coronavirus this summer and — with the holiday travel season in full swing — it is facing new uncertainty around the omicron variant .

Against this backdrop, TPG decided to poll industry experts again to find out what they think travel will look like in 2022 and beyond.

Hot spots to consider as travel resumes

Audrey Hendley, president, Global Travel & Lifestyle Services at American Express: The hottest spot is the place you want to go. The desire of our cardmembers to travel is strong, but people have varying levels of comfort around travel right now. The ideal trip is different for everyone. While some people are excited for that once-in-a-lifetime trip like a safari tour or a luxury cruise, others want to stay closer to home and relax with family and friends they haven't been able to spend time with. The good news is, there is no wrong answer.

Michael J. Taylor, travel intelligence lead at J.D. Power: That's a tough question. The first priority would be to find a location that accepts travelers with your profile: vaccinated, negative test, quarantine period, etc. Assuming you are willing to meet the criteria, destinations with the highest probability of outdoor experiences, such as Norway, Ireland, Belize [or] the Maldives would be fantastic destinations to beat the COVID-19 blues. Personally, I'm planning to be out-of-doors on Idaho ski slopes in February and on a half-dozen golf courses in the Scottish Highlands over the summer.

Tim Hentschel, founder and CEO at HotelPlanner: For those who wish to remain outdoors and/or avoid crowds as much as possible, a destination ski trip with friends or family is a great idea this winter, or a road trip to visit some of our iconic national parks , which all saw record visitors this year. Looking overseas, there are now 110 countries welcoming vaccinated Americans to their shores, so the options are endless. Popular warm weather beach destinations such as Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean are all seeing increased searches and bookings. If you are comfortable in large crowds, millions are now returning to New York City and Las Vegas for Broadway shows , concerts, holiday shopping and fall weddings, too. And Orlando is also enjoying a lot of visitors because of Disney World's 50th anniversary .

Debbie Flynn, managing partner, global travel practice leader, Finn Partners: know I spent much of lockdown wondering why I had never got 'round to visiting so many places and I know many of my friends did the same. So I think the future hot spots will be both places that have always been on a bucket list or now are higher up the list. Personally, I hope people will have seen some destinations whose communities have been so devastated by the pandemic in terms of lack of visitors that they will prioritize them. [There are] also countries that are really taking sustainability seriously and were also recognized for their handling of COVID-19, with Singapore [being] a great example of this. I know that the recent COP26 [climate summit] highlighted how in danger the island nations are — I have never been to the Maldives and certainly have it higher on my list now than ever.

Nitya Chambers, senior vice president of digital content, Lonely Planet: Because I think this is a moment for grace, for coming to terms with what feels right to you and your loved ones as we all (re)learn how to responsibly navigate an uncertain world that's still finding its footing. This is a time to find the overlap between the things about travel that give you joy and the boundaries of your personal comfort when it comes to personal and public health. If that means you're ready for a meticulously planned far-flung expedition? Great! But if a nearby road trip or weekend spent rediscovering the delights of the place you live feel better for the moment? Also great! Just take a mask, your sense of humor — and empathy for a whole world of people trying to do this at the same time.

Angela Gittens, retired director-general, Airports Council International: Because I've never been to Russia, Scandinavia and a few places in South America. I'd also like to revisit Italy, Morocco, South Africa and Nigeria. I've been to Greece recently and I could go back any day of the week. I really enjoyed Malaysia. I went to a camp outside of Kuala Lumpur and had a great time. There are so many places in the world I'd love to visit and I cannot think of a country that I've been to that I wouldn't want to go back to.

Jack Anderson, president, Crystal Cruises: I've We're particularly excited about our first-ever expedition cruises to Antarctica aboard our newest and most luxurious expedition ship, Crystal Endeavor, that are taking place through February. Antarctica offers an amazing combination of remote, rugged terrain with interesting marine and animal life and icy polar landscapes not found nowhere else in the world. Next year, Crystal Endeavor will also sail to Greenland and Iceland — where she made her inaugural voyage this summer — providing guests a chance to explore awe-inspiring glaciers, icebergs, fjords and hot springs and more.

Related: Omicron update: When will international travel return? A country-by-country guide to coronavirus recovery

Places you won't consider visiting in 2022 — and why

Chambers: Not really. If anything, two restricted years have made me more restless to see all the things I've ever wanted to see. I'm just planning with possible changes in mind — choosing flexible booking options where I can, staying on top of entry requirements and local policies and making plans from a place of extreme gratitude.

Hentschel: I would avoid Kabul for safety reasons unless you are doing humanitarian or diplomatic work. Beyond State Department-sanctioned countries , all other countries around the globe are worth visiting if COVID-19 protocols and travel restrictions allow you to. In fact, now is the time to consider an off-the-beaten-path exotic or epic destination. For example, millions of millennials and Next-Gen travelers are doing just that: booking revenge travel trips to just about anywhere that's Insta-worthy.

Anderson: At Crystal, we sail all over the world to hundreds of global destinations across all seven continents. We work very closely with world tourism officials and health experts, and right now some places are just not ready for cruise travel yet, unfortunately. We will go where the science dictates. It is our hope that very soon we will be able to showcase these destinations for our guests through immersive experiences that allow our guests to explore the entire planet in luxury one voyage at a time.

Balram Bheodari, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport General Manager: There are some areas in the world that are unstable and I really don't want to go there because of their unstable nature, along with areas where there's poor or very little to no healthcare available because of COVID-19.

Taylor: I'm one of those persons who feel that if you're not in a health risk category and you've been vaccinated, you should travel anywhere you like. For more than a year now, I've maintained that "all epidemics end — all of them." This pandemic will be over and if you can travel safely, you ought to do so.

Gittens: I don't want to go anywhere where I have to quarantine or where I might be concerned they would put in a new rule while I was there. I don't see countries getting together and collaborating on travel rules, [and] they're not, so that adds to the uncertainty for people. Airports and airlines are doing a good job making the travel process safe and fairly convenient, along with managing through the uncertainty with changes in rules and practices.

Related: 5 European countries were just added to the US 'do not travel list' weeks before the holidays

How will you travel differently than you did before the pandemic

Flynn: For sure I will plan to spend longer, if I can, on every trip. A very recent example was a business trip to Washington, D.C., to speak at our client Capital Region Members conference. A couple of years ago I would have flown in for two nights. On this trip I stayed for nearly a week. The new Zoom world we live in meant I could keep up with day-to-day business meetings, but the extra time allowed me to experience a destination I promote. I went to new museums and off-the-beaten-track neighborhoods and felt less guilty, too, about my carbon footprint as I had maximized every minute of my extended trip. I will also make sure I plan "wellness" into my travel. I took up yoga during the pandemic and will now always try to choose experiences where I can continue to look after myself.

Anderson: We are gradually returning to normal, with five of our eight ships returning to service this year — [and] the full fleet scheduled to be back by spring 2022. We have implemented a wide range of shipboard protocols that have proven very effective and will, of course, continue in 2022. Our operations team has also done a fantastic job at curating itineraries that showcase the wonders of the world while creating diverse offerings tailored for these times with more close-to-home embarkation ports, a greater variety of short-duration cruises, an expanded 132-day Grand Voyage and overnight stays in world-class cities. Many of our guests are true collectors of travel experiences and the debut of our expedition ship has also afforded us opportunities for adventure in new places and a new lens to see the world. By their very nature, Crystal ships are inherently designed with social distancing in mind as they carry half as many guests as similar-sized ships. Also, our cruise experience revolves around intimacy and personalization, with guests dining with whomever they like and smaller, custom-designed shore excursions.

Chambers : The last two years have made me more ambitious about traveling than I could have possibly imagined: I want to see all the things I've ever wanted to see, I want to have profound experiences — and I want to push myself to do both. But as someone who L-O-V-E-S the details and the anticipation of the planning process, I have to be ready to steer through the unforeseen, and to temper disappointment through unexpected changes. It's ok, though — the unexpected moments are usually where the most memorable things happen.

Hendley: Keeping travel stress-free is a huge priority for me, so no matter what the destination is I'll be planning ahead. I'll leave plenty of time to get through airports, make sure I know all of the logistics as I travel between cities, and I'll lean into my travel counselor teams to plan the perfect holiday. When it comes to trends for next year, we've seen an increase in niche travel start to take shape and I imagine we'll see even more of these types of trips in 2022. There is no longer a "one-size-fits-all" vacation. Travelers want personalized trip itineraries that cater to their specific interests. I expect to see our cardmembers continue to plan unique vacations that fit their needs, whether that is a quick two day trip from New York City to the Catskills or embracing "slow travel," settling in at a destination for an extended period to really appreciate the location, like a recent customer who booked an incredible 75-day vacation in a penthouse suite on a cruise.

Hentschel: As an American CEO currently residing in Singapore, my travel has been quite limited in 2021 due to travel restrictions and quarantine requirements. But I'm about to spend a week at our global headquarters in West Palm Beach, Florida, and South Beach in Miami to attend our 7th annual American Group Travel Awards. I'm also planning to move back to London by next summer, which should make it much easier for me and my family to take long weekend trips across the EU.

Taylor: I've had my Scotland golf trip on hold since 2020. I've re-booked all my reservations and tee times four times. I'm determined to really get the most out of this long-delayed trip. I'm going to splurge on hotels I'd normally consider too expensive, buy whiskies I might have hesitated purchasing and play a second round of golf on the same day when I can. The Idaho ski trip is a family vacation and the kids and I are going to ski long hours and eat at some exciting restaurants. My The Platinum Card® from American Express is going to get a workout this coming year.

Bheodari: You've got to be more cognizant of your surroundings in terms of advice from public health officials. Be prepared to take those necessary, extra safe health precautions to safeguard your health during your travels.

Related: How to check the safety of your next travel destination

Here's What the Future of Travel Looks Like in 2021, According to Industry Experts

Discover emerging trends, novel ideas, and one-of-a-kind experiences that are sure to make 2021 a better year for travel enthusiasts.

Travel is one of our favorite ways to get inspired for our next design ventures and become better global citizens of our beautiful world. While we’ve been able to turn to some incredible books , films, and virtual experiences to keep wanderlust at bay this year, there’s simply nothing like the real thing, and we hope to experience more of the globe very soon.

To date, some of our favorite countries, like England and France, are experiencing nationwide lockdowns due to COVID-19, while a few beloved domestic destinations, like San Francisco and New York City, seem to be on the edge of a dreaded second wave of the virus. While all of this may feel disheartening, industry experts do have higher hopes for 2021—especially if a vaccine can be approved and the number of cases begins to trend downward this spring.

This has been the year of the road trip for those fortunate enough to travel anywhere, and we’ve also seen a rise in exclusive accommodations this year. Both travel trends will likely grow in popularity into next year, but what else may lie ahead for us globe-trotters? Our experts from across the hospitality industry share a few bright and encouraging ideas of what the new year could bring.

Ridesharing from 30,000 Feet

Carl Marbach is a veteran pilot who is changing the way we look at private air travel. His new company, SharedCharter , helps connect brokers, operators, and travelers to ensure a more cost-effective flight and creates more opportunities for those seeking private jets to take to the skies. While he didn’t anticipate a world-altering health crisis to occur in 2020, Marbach expects that interest in private travel options will continue to trend, and that SharedCharter will help make it possible for more people.

“You can look at other peer-to-peer sites like Airbnb and Uber, and see their success, and I knew it was the right time for this,” Marbach says. “I’ve been in aviation a long time and have traveled on plenty of jets. I’ve noticed all the empty seats and know there is plenty of capacity not being used on these flights. If we could reduce the price of the charter, we could both increase the market share dramatically and make it worth doing for the cost. When you think about it, you get exactly the same convenience with three couples that you would with one.”

While the whole point of private travel, especially amid a pandemic, may be to avoid boarding an aircraft with strangers, Marbach says there’s more to SharedCharter that makes it better than the other options on the market, which only offer crowdsourcing, meaning travelers wouldn’t know who they are traveling with until their departure.

“The virus has made people think they may not want to sit on a plane with 200 people, much less sit in an airport with thousands, and we get that there may be people who don't even want to share a charter,” he says. “We’ve thought through that and know you can't just stick people together willy-nilly. You need to have some communication to chat and make sure they are compatible. You also need to see if they've been careful and what their personal health choices have been during this virus.”

When two parties get paired who want to take the same flight, SharedCharter facilitates the communication between them without giving away personal information so those details stay private unless they decide to travel together. And while reducing a flight from $18,000 per couple to $3,000 may still feel like a high price, Marbach says it’s important to consider all the amenities offered with private air travel that you wouldn’t even find in first-class, which may not cost that much less, depending on your circumstances.

“The benefits of charters start with the departure,” Marbach says. “Most people don’t know this, but while there are about 400 airports in the U.S. that commercial airlines go through, there are actually more than 12,000 airports in total. You are way closer to an airport than you think you are, and it’s a totally different experience, especially if you’re traveling to and from a more rural location.”

Marbach says you can forget frustrating parking facilities and the headache of going through TSA lines with charters, as you simply drive up, walk through a lounge to meet your crew, who take your luggage for you, and board the plane, all in about 15 minutes. Besides saving time, the comfort and luxuries of flying private are the most common draws. You can order any food or beverages ahead of time, you’ll likely always have reliable Wi-Fi, and your quarters will be just as comfortable or more so than flying first-class. Plus, you can have a car waiting for you on the tarmac to immediately take you to your final destination instead of toe-tapping through baggage claim and braving the arrivals pick-up area. What’s not to love?

Our staff reported earlier this year that many travel companies are noticing a major uptick in the demand for private aviation options , and companies like SharedCharter may help make this seemingly aspirational form of transportation into an exciting reality for jet-setters in 2021. Plus, it offers ways to visit locales in 2021 that may not be as frequently offered by commercial airlines in the first half of the year.

Wellness as a Moral Imperative for the Industry

“It’s critical that we welcome the whole person and consider the whole person when creating an environment, to ensure we meet the needs of our guests,” says Simon Marxer, Hyatt Wellbeing Council Co-Chair & Miraval Director of Spa and Wellbeing. “I think that rapid acceleration of our awareness of this concept, as well as the increased expectations of our guests to have some sort of mention of wellbeing as a component of their stay, is a notable shift this year and speaks to what we will only see more of in the future.”

Marxer and his team recently opened a new Miraval resort spa destination in the Berkshires, and while it feels like a strange time to launch, he is genuinely excited to be able to teach more people how to better care for themselves by caring for them. He says that Hyatt's purpose is to care for people so they can be their best, and guests need that more than ever, as they are arriving to their destinations with some extra built-in distress. Hyatt in particular is seeking to meet more people where they are with a hybrid of in-person and virtual experiences to help them find rejuvenation and restoration within their comfort zone. While he is seeing a significant interest in spas this year, his team is also working to ensure guests have a private experience, receive the utmost care, and their expectation of cleanliness is exceeded.

“If one does not participate in their own wellbeing journey, then there will be implications in how people feel and perform—with that new awareness, we are trying to meet people where they are and help them shift their mindsets.” Marxer says. “We experience life through our bodies, how they feel and move through our day, and it has an enormous impact on mental health. By caring for the physical body we are caring for our mental health and that is the genesis why so many people are seeking that spa experience right now.”

Marxer’s well-being team is enjoying the challenge of thinking outside the box when it comes to providing safe and desirable amenities and experiences in the midst of a pandemic and expects wellness to continue to trend as a top priority for travelers in 2021. They are creating a variety of outdoor experiences to help people better enjoy the benefits of nature and, in fact, see it as one of their most important responsibilities.

“In terms of seeing well-being as a priority, it will soon become a necessity and a moral imperative that we support our guests’ well-being, even if it is a shorter stay or something they may not initially identify as an intention for their visit,” Marxer says. “I think it's becoming more and more important for that need for well-being to be a component of the Hyatt experience, and we will only continue to accelerate that.”

Ultra- Exclusive Experiences

Katinka Friis, PR and press manager for Visit Denmark , says her team is noticing a growing interest in single-residence accommodations, which allows people to enjoy the getaways they’ve been dreaming of while being almost as socially distant, as if they were in their own home.

“Single-residency hotels are a part of an interesting tendency where travelers seek out more unique accommodation options,” Friis says. “Whether that is the luxury of the Darling or staying in a floating shelter in Copenhagen’s harbor , the single-residency accommodation adds an element of exclusivity to the travel experience. With places like the Darling, it can even give the feeling of living like a local in your own apartment.”

Our own team has noticed a significant increase in private and exclusive offerings from resorts around the world, be it opportunities for buy-outs, one-of-a kind private excursions, or promotions of stand-alone lodging options for those looking to enjoy a much-needed vacation while having the peace of mind that they are not exposing themselves to a large group of people who may not be abiding by the same preventative health measures. And we’re anticipating these exclusive experiences, destinations, and properties will only get hotter in 2021.

One of those properties is Oil Nut Bay in the British Virgin Islands. As the British territory's borders open to visitors come December 1, the resort is preparing for a busy 2021 with a wide variety of experiences to make this already exclusive property even more accommodating. Oil Nut Bay was built with privacy in mind, making it an ideal post-coronavirus getaway with suites, villas, and even real-estate opportunities to ensure you are getting the exclusive vacation you’re looking for with all of the luxurious amenities of a resort. The resort now offers month-long villa stays, representatives to assist with remote learning, private educational programs for kids, and even a “Zoom Room” equipped with tablets for those looking to mix business with pleasure. Private chefs, charters, and excursions are also anticipated to be highly sought-after on property and at other luxury destinations next year.

Architecture and Design as a Path to Wellness

“You can’t be at your best if you’re not at your best mentally or physically. We’re putting a lot of emphasis in the way we design our spaces so people feel physically comfortable,” says Tom Ito, principal architect and founder of Gensler ’s hospitality division. “It’s about getting back to basics—not just what guests want, but what they need, and they need to feel good and healthy at their core. We were taking these things for granted before 2020, and it’s good to get back to them.”

Ito says a property’s outdoor offerings are critical for ensuring guests feel healthy and find that deeper connection to nature, which boosts one’s well being. Ito says a recent survey conducted by his firm found the biggest hesitation people have about booking at a hotel or resort is a fear of being around other people, and he is seeing a lot of people prioritize these short-term spaces that are flexible and adaptable to keep certain areas feeling more exclusive, personal, and, ultimately, safe throughout a property. He says that while he hopes this will just be for the immediate future, creating these cozier spaces for dining, fitness, or lodging in a hotel will likely improve a guest’s experience during their stay and will help the industry evolve into the new year.

“An awareness of spaces that are spiritually engaging and private for those quiet, reflective moments where one can rejuvenate will likely be a priority for us,” Ito says. “We will still need social spaces, but that combination of both will best serve us for the future.

The Future Impact of Cleanliness on Design

“There is this notion of cleanliness impacting design right now, and it's not just clean lines and simplicity—it’s also about fabrics, and there are whole new fabric lines coming out that are going to withstand the harsh cleaning protocols while being beautiful and nice to touch,” Ito says.

While he says there are no plans to redesign any of the firm’s impressive array of properties in expectation that things will turn to normal, they are thinking through approaches to design that emphasize health, safety, and rejuvenation for the body and mind.

“I think color is really important in designing spaces and looking at colors that make you feel good,” he says. “Every color has its own meaning, and we are certainly going to be looking at color and texture as a way to move forward in design. We have to also look at the increased awareness of being in a place that feels like your own and that you have control over, while still being a place to escape to, where you don’t have to touch a lot of things.”

Contactless check-in offerings, touchless door and faucet handles, along with new fabrics that can withstand heavy cleaning protocols, are all sure to be the way of the future in the hospitality industry.

“The importance of designing beautiful spaces will never go away, and beauty helps people feel their best,” Ito says. “We are always looking at that notion through the lens of design, as it has an incredible impact on how a person feels and what their experience is like, and now we are especially looking at that through that with prioritization of a guest’s perception of cleanliness.”

Supporting Local

While opening a boutique hotel and tavern in the middle of a pandemic may sound terrifying, Ben and Kate Towill of Basic Projects in Charleston, South Carolina, trusted their guts and pivoted their business model to ensure they were catering to their local neighborhood.

The couple’s latest venture, Post House, is a charming seven-room inn and tavern located in an immaculately restored, iconic 1896 property at the center of Charleston’s Old Village. While logistically, they don’t have the headache of dealing with hundreds of people at a resort, they are getting creative with ways to keep guests socially distant without ruining the inn’s boutique coastal vibe.

“Our job was really to figure out how to design this property and create a place that’s at the center of the Old Village scene for the next 20 to 30 years,” says Ben. “Everyone has memories at this place, whether they hosted a baby shower or anniversary party or went to a wedding there, and it’s such a special place, so we wanted to be really careful about breathing new life into it without removing the building’s charm and history.”

The pair says they were thankful to have had some unexpected extra time to think through all the facets of what a safe opening would look like. They were able to double the amount of outdoor seating space and go out into the street, which has made Post House an instant favorite spot for locals to enjoy the coastal air and a delicious meal and satisfy their wanderlust by feeling like they are in a European city.

“Charleston is usually so inundated with tourists, so the biggest thing we have been focused on is our neighborhood and the locals, people who could walk down here and enjoy a meal, which has been a real blessing. It has been so great to connect with our regulars and neighbors, designing with them in mind. This is something you always want to do, but it gets hard here with how strong the tourist season is here almost year-round.”

Though Post House’s restaurant is currently not operating at full capacity, the couple feel it’s important to keep the layout of the restaurant unchanged, even setting the tables that will remain empty through the night to keep guests feeling like they are enjoying dinner on a Tuesday night instead of having the constant reminder that they are living in the middle of a pandemic. It’s those little touches that make an impact on their guest experience.

The Towills have also been using their new property as a way to give back to essential workers. On nights when the inn isn’t fully booked, they will give away a room to a local in the food and beverage industry who could use a night off and some extra care. It has all been a welcome reminder that we need to support each other locally and that a staycation or road trip may not have the allure and glamour of an international vacation, but they are just as essential for supporting our communities and finding true rest and rejuvenation for ourselves in these uncertain times. And no matter which countries are closed off to the U.S., we can rely on our local hospitality industry to give us the respite we need into the new year.

The Bottom Line

We asked all our insiders about if they think 2021 will really be “the year of travel,” or if it’s too soon to tell, and all of our experts felt optimistic about the year ahead, even if the first few months may require some extra patience.

“As Delta works to restart service in line with the lifting of travel restrictions, potential vaccine availability, and the gradual return of demand, customers will see more trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific flights to top business and leisure destinations for the winter 2020 to 2021 and summer 2021 seasons,” says Maria Moraitakis, a corporate communications rep for Delta.

Marbach says regardless of our international travel options in 2021, or the lack thereof, one of the great things about this country is that people move around a lot, and they need to get back to doing so when it feels safe. He says he’s always amazed by people who haven’t done much domestic travel, as America has such a wide variety of terrain and attractions, from the Pacific Northwest and Las Vegas to South Florida's great beach towns, and we need to take advantage of that.

“A lot of travel options will definitely depend on where we want to visit, and there are some countries, especially in Asia, that are incredibly safe, and hotels are doing really well over there right now,” says Ito. “Other countries are still on lockdown right now, but once that goes and the confidence is restored, people will be jumping on planes.”

Both Ito and Maraitakis note that airports and airplanes are actually some of the cleanest public spaces to be in these days, and recent studies have shown that flying presents a lower risk for COVID-19 than grocery shopping and dining out . Delta frequently updates a Where We’re Flying page to help educate travelers on where is currently open to travelers and when they will start opening flights back up in destinations that aren’t ready for vacationers quite yet.

While we must remain educated on the pandemic and what our ideal destinations are experiencing across the world, there is still hope for us to take an international vacation in 2021. For now, stay safe, follow the advice of health expert, and find ways to support your favorite local haunts—the special places that make your city and state uniquely its own. If you feel comfortable, book a few days away from your computer in a nearby locale that will offer some much needed R&R from this tumultuous year, because there's no need to wait until the new year to take some time for ourselves to reflect, rest, and rejuvenate.

Lauren Wicks is a freelance writer and editor based in Birmingham, Alabama. Before going on her own, Lauren worked for brands such as VERANDA, EatingWell, and Cooking Light , and she covers all things lifestyle from interior design and luxury travel to wine and wellness.

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What next for travel and tourism? Here's what the experts say

In many countries, more than 80% of travel and tourism spending actually comes from the domestic market. Image:  Unsplash/Surface

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Stay up to date:.

• In 2020 alone, the travel and tourism sector lost $4.5 trillion and 62 million jobs globally.
• But as the world recovers from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, travel and tourism can bounce back as an inclusive, sustainable, and resilient sector.
• Two experts highlight some of the key transformations in the sector going forward during the World Economic Forum's Our World in Transformation series.

The Travel & Tourism sector was one of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving not only companies but also tourism-driven economies severely affected by shutdowns, travel restrictions and the disappearance of international travel.

In 2020 alone, the sector lost $4.5 trillion and 62 million jobs, impacting the living standards and well-being of communities across the globe. Moreover, the halt in international travel gave both leisure and business travellers the chance to consider the impact of their choices on the climate and environment.

Amid shifting demand dynamics and future opportunities and risks, a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient travel and tourism sector can be - and needs to be - built.

The World Economic Forum's Travel & Tourism Development Index 2021 finds that embedding inclusivity, sustainability and resilience into the travel and tourism sector as it recovers, will ensure it can continue to be a driver of global connectivity, peace and economic and social progress.

We spoke to Sandra Carvao , Chief of Market Intelligence and Competitiveness at the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and Liz Ortiguera , CEO of the Pacific Asia Travel Association in Thailand (PATA), and asked them to highlight some of the key areas of risk and opportunity in the sector during an episode of the World Economic Forum's Our World in Transformation series.

Have you read?

Travel & tourism development index 2021: rebuilding for a sustainable and resilient future, towards resilience and sustainability: travel and tourism development recovery, how can we really achieve sustainability in the travel sector, what are some of the top global trends you're witnessing currently in the travel and tourism sector.

Liz Ortiguera: Given the extended lockdown that we had on travel with the pandemic, vacation for friends and relatives (VFR) is now a high priority for people who haven’t been in touch for a long time thanks to the pandemic. So, people are reconnecting. And that kind of links to the second trend, which is multi-purpose or blended travel. Never before, particularly now that we can connect digitally through Zoom, has the ability to work from anywhere enabled travellers to cover multiple purposes, like visits with friends and multiple business trips. So, we'll find that the duration of travel and the length of stay is longer. And third is the continued high focus on safety and wellness which is top of mind for travellers due to the pandemic. All travel is wellness-related now.

Sandra Carvao: I think there is a bigger concern with sustainability, which is very welcome in our industry. Consumers, particularly the younger generation, are much more aware of the impact they have, not only on the environment but also socially and on the communities they live in. We've also seen an increase in expenditure per trip, so I think people are very eager to go outside, and they're staying longer. And on the other side, I think there are some challenges: we’re seeing a rise in late bookings because restrictions can change at short notice and that’s having an impact on the decisions of travellers. This is putting pressure on the industry in terms of planning and anticipating fluctuations in demand.

Social media surveys have shown that travellers who have immersive experiences are more likely to post about them, which is good for the industry.

What is community-based tourism and why is it important?

Sandra Carvao: One of the positive impacts of the pandemic is that people are looking for local experiences and are spending more time with communities. So, the concept of community-based tourism is obviously one that puts the community at the core of every development, ensuring that it's engaged and empowered and that it benefits. At the UNWTO, we worked with the G20 and the Saudi presidency back in 2020 and produced a framework for tourism development in communities, which states that communities need to be part of the planning and management of tourism activities. We need to go beyond traditional definitions of community to a point where the industry leans on partnerships between the public and private sectors and communities.

Liz Ortiguera: In July 2022, PATA is hosting a destination-marketing forum and one of the key themes is community-based tourism. The purpose is really to put the community and authenticity-in-culture activities at the heart of the travel experience. There are benefits for all stakeholders. One is that travellers can have an authentic experience. They're not in overcrowded, touristic locations and they experience something new and unique within the community. These experiences are designed in partnership with communities who get the benefit of financial inclusion, and if activities are designed properly, the reinforcement of their cultural heritage. Governments also engage in economic development more broadly across countries. Another interesting trend is creative tourism, which means you create an experience for tourists to participate in, like a dance lesson, or a cooking lesson. Social media surveys have shown that travellers who have these kinds of immersive experiences are more likely to post about them online and that's good for the industry.

It is important to emphasize that virtual experiences, while they are a fun tool, can never replace visiting a destination.

How is technology and innovation helping to leverage cultural resources?

Sandra Carvao: One interesting trend we’re seeing is that more and more people are booking trips directly, so communities need to be supported to digitize their systems. Education and upskilling of communities are important so that they can leverage digital platforms to market themselves. From the tourists’ perspective, it is important to emphasize that virtual experiences, while they are a fun tool, can never replace visiting a destination.

Liz Ortiguera: People have been living virtually for more than two years. Amazing innovations have emerged, such as virtual reality and augmented reality, and all kinds of applications and tools. But the important thing is the experience. The destination. Real-world experiences need to remain front and centre. Technology tools should be viewed as enablers and not the core experience. And when it comes to staff, technology can really democratize education. There’s an opportunity to mobilize a mobile-first approach for those who are on the frontlines, or out in the field, and can’t easily access computers, but need to get real-time information.

How is the sector dealing with labour shortages and re-employment of the workforce?

Liz Ortiguera: Labour shortages are much more dynamic in North America and in Europe. But it’s having a knock-on effect on Asia. If, for example, their air carriers are limited by staff and they have to cancel flights, which we're very much seeing out of Europe, seating capacity then becomes a limiting factor in the recovery of Asia Pacific. That's the main constraint right now. And compounding that is the rising price of fuel. But people in the Asia Pacific are keen to get reemployed.

Sandra Carvao: Labour shortages are a priority for the sector in countries around the world. Many workers left the sector during the pandemic and the uncertainty that surrounded the measures taken to contain it left many people unsure of whether the sector would recover. It is time to address things like conditions, scheduling, and work/life balance, all things which have been top of mind for workers during the pandemic. As the sector recovers, we need time to bring new hires on board and to train them to take over where those who switched jobs left off.

Are we seeing a growing trend towards domestic tourism?

Sandra Carvao: We’re talking about 9 billion people travelling within their own countries. And in many countries, for example in Germany, more than 80% of the tourism spending actually comes from the domestic market, similarly in countries like Spain and even smaller economies. Whenever it's possible to travel again, domestic markets tend to be more resilient. They kick off first mostly due to perceptions of safety and security issues. As the world economy recovers from the pandemic, there is a good opportunity for nations to rethink their strategy, look at the domestic market in a different way, and leverage different products for domestic tourists.

When it comes to sustainable tourism, how quickly could we mainstream eco-friendly modes of transportation?

Sandra Carvao: Transport is one of the key contributors to energy impacts and tourism. But it's also important that we look at the whole value chain. The UNWTO together with the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme just launched the Glasgow Declaration, which includes green commitments from destinations and companies. We’re seeing a strong movement in the airline industry to reduce emissions. But I think, obviously, technological developments will be very important. But it's also very important to look at market shifts. And we can't forget small islands and developing states that rely on long-haul air travel. It’s important to make sure that we invest in making the problem much less impactful.

Liz Ortiguera: 'Travel and tourism' is such a broad encompassing term that it’s not fair to call it an industry: it is actually a sector of many industries. The pandemic taught us how broad the impact of the sector is in terms of sustainability. There's a big movement in terms of destination resilience, which is the foundation for achieving sustainability in the journey to net-zero. We now have standards to mitigate that impact including meetings-and-events (MIE) standards and standards for tour operators. There are multiple areas within our industry where progress is being made. And I'm really encouraged by the fact that there is such a focus not just within the sector but also among consumers.

This interview was first done at the World Economic Forum's studios in Geneva as part of 'Our World in Transformation' - a live interactive event series for our digital members. To watch all the episodes and join future sessions, please subscribe here .

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The future of tourism: Bridging the labor gap, enhancing customer experience

As travel resumes and builds momentum, it’s becoming clear that tourism is resilient—there is an enduring desire to travel. Against all odds, international tourism rebounded in 2022: visitor numbers to Europe and the Middle East climbed to around 80 percent of 2019 levels, and the Americas recovered about 65 percent of prepandemic visitors 1 “Tourism set to return to pre-pandemic levels in some regions in 2023,” United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), January 17, 2023. —a number made more significant because it was reached without travelers from China, which had the world’s largest outbound travel market before the pandemic. 2 “ Outlook for China tourism 2023: Light at the end of the tunnel ,” McKinsey, May 9, 2023.

Recovery and growth are likely to continue. According to estimates from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for 2023, international tourist arrivals could reach 80 to 95 percent of prepandemic levels depending on the extent of the economic slowdown, travel recovery in Asia–Pacific, and geopolitical tensions, among other factors. 3 “Tourism set to return to pre-pandemic levels in some regions in 2023,” United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), January 17, 2023. Similarly, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) forecasts that by the end of 2023, nearly half of the 185 countries in which the organization conducts research will have either recovered to prepandemic levels or be within 95 percent of full recovery. 4 “Global travel and tourism catapults into 2023 says WTTC,” World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), April 26, 2023.

Longer-term forecasts also point to optimism for the decade ahead. Travel and tourism GDP is predicted to grow, on average, at 5.8 percent a year between 2022 and 2032, outpacing the growth of the overall economy at an expected 2.7 percent a year. 5 Travel & Tourism economic impact 2022 , WTTC, August 2022.

So, is it all systems go for travel and tourism? Not really. The industry continues to face a prolonged and widespread labor shortage. After losing 62 million travel and tourism jobs in 2020, labor supply and demand remain out of balance. 6 “WTTC research reveals Travel & Tourism’s slow recovery is hitting jobs and growth worldwide,” World Travel & Tourism Council, October 6, 2021. Today, in the European Union, 11 percent of tourism jobs are likely to go unfilled; in the United States, that figure is 7 percent. 7 Travel & Tourism economic impact 2022 : Staff shortages, WTTC, August 2022.

There has been an exodus of tourism staff, particularly from customer-facing roles, to other sectors, and there is no sign that the industry will be able to bring all these people back. 8 Travel & Tourism economic impact 2022 : Staff shortages, WTTC, August 2022. Hotels, restaurants, cruises, airports, and airlines face staff shortages that can translate into operational, reputational, and financial difficulties. If unaddressed, these shortages may constrain the industry’s growth trajectory.

The current labor shortage may have its roots in factors related to the nature of work in the industry. Chronic workplace challenges, coupled with the effects of COVID-19, have culminated in an industry struggling to rebuild its workforce. Generally, tourism-related jobs are largely informal, partly due to high seasonality and weak regulation. And conditions such as excessively long working hours, low wages, a high turnover rate, and a lack of social protection tend to be most pronounced in an informal economy. Additionally, shift work, night work, and temporary or part-time employment are common in tourism.

The industry may need to revisit some fundamentals to build a far more sustainable future: either make the industry more attractive to talent (and put conditions in place to retain staff for longer periods) or improve products, services, and processes so that they complement existing staffing needs or solve existing pain points.

One solution could be to build a workforce with the mix of digital and interpersonal skills needed to keep up with travelers’ fast-changing requirements. The industry could make the most of available technology to provide customers with a digitally enhanced experience, resolve staff shortages, and improve working conditions.

Would you like to learn more about our Travel, Logistics & Infrastructure Practice ?

Complementing concierges with chatbots.

The pace of technological change has redefined customer expectations. Technology-driven services are often at customers’ fingertips, with no queues or waiting times. By contrast, the airport and airline disruption widely reported in the press over the summer of 2022 points to customers not receiving this same level of digital innovation when traveling.

Imagine the following travel experience: it’s 2035 and you start your long-awaited honeymoon to a tropical island. A virtual tour operator and a destination travel specialist booked your trip for you; you connected via videoconference to make your plans. Your itinerary was chosen with the support of generative AI , which analyzed your preferences, recommended personalized travel packages, and made real-time adjustments based on your feedback.

Before leaving home, you check in online and QR code your luggage. You travel to the airport by self-driving cab. After dropping off your luggage at the self-service counter, you pass through security and the biometric check. You access the premier lounge with the QR code on the airline’s loyalty card and help yourself to a glass of wine and a sandwich. After your flight, a prebooked, self-driving cab takes you to the resort. No need to check in—that was completed online ahead of time (including picking your room and making sure that the hotel’s virtual concierge arranged for red roses and a bottle of champagne to be delivered).

While your luggage is brought to the room by a baggage robot, your personal digital concierge presents the honeymoon itinerary with all the requested bookings. For the romantic dinner on the first night, you order your food via the restaurant app on the table and settle the bill likewise. So far, you’ve had very little human interaction. But at dinner, the sommelier chats with you in person about the wine. The next day, your sightseeing is made easier by the hotel app and digital guide—and you don’t get lost! With the aid of holographic technology, the virtual tour guide brings historical figures to life and takes your sightseeing experience to a whole new level. Then, as arranged, a local citizen meets you and takes you to their home to enjoy a local family dinner. The trip is seamless, there are no holdups or snags.

This scenario features less human interaction than a traditional trip—but it flows smoothly due to the underlying technology. The human interactions that do take place are authentic, meaningful, and add a special touch to the experience. This may be a far-fetched example, but the essence of the scenario is clear: use technology to ease typical travel pain points such as queues, misunderstandings, or misinformation, and elevate the quality of human interaction.

Travel with less human interaction may be considered a disruptive idea, as many travelers rely on and enjoy the human connection, the “service with a smile.” This will always be the case, but perhaps the time is right to think about bringing a digital experience into the mix. The industry may not need to depend exclusively on human beings to serve its customers. Perhaps the future of travel is  physical, but digitally enhanced (and with a smile!).

Digital solutions are on the rise and can help bridge the labor gap

Digital innovation is improving customer experience across multiple industries. Car-sharing apps have overcome service-counter waiting times and endless paperwork that travelers traditionally had to cope with when renting a car. The same applies to time-consuming hotel check-in, check-out, and payment processes that can annoy weary customers. These pain points can be removed. For instance, in China, the Huazhu Hotels Group installed self-check-in kiosks that enable guests to check in or out in under 30 seconds. 9 “Huazhu Group targets lifestyle market opportunities,” ChinaTravelNews, May 27, 2021.

Technology meets hospitality

In 2019, Alibaba opened its FlyZoo Hotel in Huangzhou, described as a “290-room ultra-modern boutique, where technology meets hospitality.” 1 “Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba has a hotel run almost entirely by robots that can serve food and fetch toiletries—take a look inside,” Business Insider, October 21, 2019; “FlyZoo Hotel: The hotel of the future or just more technology hype?,” Hotel Technology News, March 2019. The hotel was the first of its kind that instead of relying on traditional check-in and key card processes, allowed guests to manage reservations and make payments entirely from a mobile app, to check-in using self-service kiosks, and enter their rooms using facial-recognition technology.

The hotel is run almost entirely by robots that serve food and fetch toiletries and other sundries as needed. Each guest room has a voice-activated smart assistant to help guests with a variety of tasks, from adjusting the temperature, lights, curtains, and the TV to playing music and answering simple questions about the hotel and surroundings.

The hotel was developed by the company’s online travel platform, Fliggy, in tandem with Alibaba’s AI Labs and Alibaba Cloud technology with the goal of “leveraging cutting-edge tech to help transform the hospitality industry, one that keeps the sector current with the digital era we’re living in,” according to the company.

Adoption of some digitally enhanced services was accelerated during the pandemic in the quest for safer, contactless solutions. During the Winter Olympics in Beijing, a restaurant designed to keep physical contact to a minimum used a track system on the ceiling to deliver meals directly from the kitchen to the table. 10 “This Beijing Winter Games restaurant uses ceiling-based tracks,” Trendhunter, January 26, 2022. Customers around the world have become familiar with restaurants using apps to display menus, take orders, and accept payment, as well as hotels using robots to deliver luggage and room service (see sidebar “Technology meets hospitality”). Similarly, theme parks, cinemas, stadiums, and concert halls are deploying digital solutions such as facial recognition to optimize entrance control. Shanghai Disneyland, for example, offers annual pass holders the option to choose facial recognition to facilitate park entry. 11 “Facial recognition park entry,” Shanghai Disney Resort website.

Automation and digitization can also free up staff from attending to repetitive functions that could be handled more efficiently via an app and instead reserve the human touch for roles where staff can add the most value. For instance, technology can help customer-facing staff to provide a more personalized service. By accessing data analytics, frontline staff can have guests’ details and preferences at their fingertips. A trainee can become an experienced concierge in a short time, with the help of technology.

Apps and in-room tech: Unused market potential

According to Skift Research calculations, total revenue generated by guest apps and in-room technology in 2019 was approximately $293 million, including proprietary apps by hotel brands as well as third-party vendors. 1 “Hotel tech benchmark: Guest-facing technology 2022,” Skift Research, November 2022. The relatively low market penetration rate of this kind of tech points to around $2.4 billion in untapped revenue potential (exhibit).

Even though guest-facing technology is available—the kind that can facilitate contactless interactions and offer travelers convenience and personalized service—the industry is only beginning to explore its potential. A report by Skift Research shows that the hotel industry, in particular, has not tapped into tech’s potential. Only 11 percent of hotels and 25 percent of hotel rooms worldwide are supported by a hotel app or use in-room technology, and only 3 percent of hotels offer keyless entry. 12 “Hotel tech benchmark: Guest-facing technology 2022,” Skift Research, November 2022. Of the five types of technology examined (guest apps and in-room tech; virtual concierge; guest messaging and chatbots; digital check-in and kiosks; and keyless entry), all have relatively low market-penetration rates (see sidebar “Apps and in-room tech: Unused market potential”).

While apps, digitization, and new technology may be the answer to offering better customer experience, there is also the possibility that tourism may face competition from technological advances, particularly virtual experiences. Museums, attractions, and historical sites can be made interactive and, in some cases, more lifelike, through AR/VR technology that can enhance the physical travel experience by reconstructing historical places or events.

Up until now, tourism, arguably, was one of a few sectors that could not easily be replaced by tech. It was not possible to replicate the physical experience of traveling to another place. With the emerging metaverse , this might change. Travelers could potentially enjoy an event or experience from their sofa without any logistical snags, and without the commitment to traveling to another country for any length of time. For example, Google offers virtual tours of the Pyramids of Meroë in Sudan via an immersive online experience available in a range of languages. 13 Mariam Khaled Dabboussi, “Step into the Meroë pyramids with Google,” Google, May 17, 2022. And a crypto banking group, The BCB Group, has created a metaverse city that includes representations of some of the most visited destinations in the world, such as the Great Wall of China and the Statue of Liberty. According to BCB, the total cost of flights, transfers, and entry for all these landmarks would come to $7,600—while a virtual trip would cost just over $2. 14 “What impact can the Metaverse have on the travel industry?,” Middle East Economy, July 29, 2022.

The metaverse holds potential for business travel, too—the meeting, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) sector in particular. Participants could take part in activities in the same immersive space while connecting from anywhere, dramatically reducing travel, venue, catering, and other costs. 15 “ Tourism in the metaverse: Can travel go virtual? ,” McKinsey, May 4, 2023.

The allure and convenience of such digital experiences make offering seamless, customer-centric travel and tourism in the real world all the more pressing.

Three innovations to solve hotel staffing shortages

Is the future contactless.

Given the advances in technology, and the many digital innovations and applications that already exist, there is potential for businesses across the travel and tourism spectrum to cope with labor shortages while improving customer experience. Process automation and digitization can also add to process efficiency. Taken together, a combination of outsourcing, remote work, and digital solutions can help to retain existing staff and reduce dependency on roles that employers are struggling to fill (exhibit).

Depending on the customer service approach and direct contact need, we estimate that the travel and tourism industry would be able to cope with a structural labor shortage of around 10 to 15 percent in the long run by operating more flexibly and increasing digital and automated efficiency—while offering the remaining staff an improved total work package.

Outsourcing and remote work could also help resolve the labor shortage

While COVID-19 pushed organizations in a wide variety of sectors to embrace remote work, there are many hospitality roles that rely on direct physical services that cannot be performed remotely, such as laundry, cleaning, maintenance, and facility management. If faced with staff shortages, these roles could be outsourced to third-party professional service providers, and existing staff could be reskilled to take up new positions.

In McKinsey’s experience, the total service cost of this type of work in a typical hotel can make up 10 percent of total operating costs. Most often, these roles are not guest facing. A professional and digital-based solution might become an integrated part of a third-party service for hotels looking to outsource this type of work.

One of the lessons learned in the aftermath of COVID-19 is that many tourism employees moved to similar positions in other sectors because they were disillusioned by working conditions in the industry . Specialist multisector companies have been able to shuffle their staff away from tourism to other sectors that offer steady employment or more regular working hours compared with the long hours and seasonal nature of work in tourism.

The remaining travel and tourism staff may be looking for more flexibility or the option to work from home. This can be an effective solution for retaining employees. For example, a travel agent with specific destination expertise could work from home or be consulted on an needs basis.

In instances where remote work or outsourcing is not viable, there are other solutions that the hospitality industry can explore to improve operational effectiveness as well as employee satisfaction. A more agile staffing model  can better match available labor with peaks and troughs in daily, or even hourly, demand. This could involve combining similar roles or cross-training staff so that they can switch roles. Redesigned roles could potentially improve employee satisfaction by empowering staff to explore new career paths within the hotel’s operations. Combined roles build skills across disciplines—for example, supporting a housekeeper to train and become proficient in other maintenance areas, or a front-desk associate to build managerial skills.

Where management or ownership is shared across properties, roles could be staffed to cover a network of sites, rather than individual hotels. By applying a combination of these approaches, hotels could reduce the number of staff hours needed to keep operations running at the same standard. 16 “ Three innovations to solve hotel staffing shortages ,” McKinsey, April 3, 2023.

Taken together, operational adjustments combined with greater use of technology could provide the tourism industry with a way of overcoming staffing challenges and giving customers the seamless digitally enhanced experiences they expect in other aspects of daily life.

In an industry facing a labor shortage, there are opportunities for tech innovations that can help travel and tourism businesses do more with less, while ensuring that remaining staff are engaged and motivated to stay in the industry. For travelers, this could mean fewer friendly faces, but more meaningful experiences and interactions.

Urs Binggeli is a senior expert in McKinsey’s Zurich office, Zi Chen is a capabilities and insights specialist in the Shanghai office, Steffen Köpke is a capabilities and insights expert in the Düsseldorf office, and Jackey Yu is a partner in the Hong Kong office.

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'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?

ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.

When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.

ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form .

One of the best tablets for work travel I've tested is not made by Microsoft or Lenovo

ZDNET's key takeaways

• The Asus ProArt PZ13 is an artistically aligned laptop and is on sale right now at Best Buy for $1,100.
• It's ready to help pro-level artists with its vibrant OLED touchscreen, long battery life, and supportive apps.
• The device is held back by a limited array of ports and a substandard keyboard. 

A couple of months ago, I tested out Microsoft's Surface Pro 11 , a laptop that doubles as a tablet. It has Qualcomm's next-gen chipset and a lot of great features that made me enjoy the machine. I highly recommend it to business professionals who frequently travel. It seems Asus must've seen the Surface Pro and thought to itself, "We can do better." The result of this inspiration is the Asus ProArt PZ13 .

Also: I tested Lenovo's Windows laptop that doubles as an Android tablet, and it has so much potential

I mentioned the Surface Pro 11 because the two share many similarities, although the ProArt model is better suited for artists and creative professionals.

Upon lifting the laptop out of its box for the first time, you'll be greeted with a 13.3-inch, 3K (2880 x 1800 pixels) OLED touchscreen. Its resolution isn't as high as Microsoft's laptop, although the ProArt PZ13 more than makes up for this with image-enhancing apps.

It has Dolby Vision, support for the entire DCI-P3 color gamut, and VESA DisplayHDR True Black for ultra-dark shadows. Everything works together to ensure a stunning visual experience, except for the 60Hz refresh rate. That's a fine speed, but I would've liked to have 120Hz. At 60Hz, motion and animations on this laptop can look a little blurry.

Also: One of the most versatile laptops I've tested also has one of the best displays

The device has a really neat feature called Creator Hub. It's a dashboard app that lets you adjust the PZ13 on the fly. The most impressive of its many tools is Color Control, which lets you change the on-screen color gamut at any time. For example, the DCI-P3 option tweaks the colors so they're best suited for movies while Display P3 is recommended for artists as it more accurately displays hues. You can even adjust the color temperature. 

Creator Hub gives creative professionals a great amount of flexibility. Although I'm not an artist myself, I certainly appreciate having the ability to fine-tune my experience instantly.

Asus' machine is no slouch either, as inside the ProArt PZ13 is a Snapdragon X Plus chipset. I was able to maintain about 60 tabs open without experiencing any major slowdown. I had videos playing and Twitch streams running, and I could still check out my email without any issue.

Sadly, I couldn't get a specific benchmark number on the SoC (system on a chip). None of the major benchmarking tests have been updated for the Snapdragon X, but hopefully, that day will come soon.

Also: This lightweight laptop has one of the best displays I've seen, and it's not a MacBook Air

Like other Qualcomm-based laptops, the ProArt PZ13 has a ridiculously long battery life, and for once, the marketing materials were correct. This device ran for over 21 hours straight when on the Best Power Efficiency mode. I left it on overnight and was shocked to see it was still active in the morning. On Best Performance mode, the model manages to outperform most Intel-based laptops, as it lasted for about 14.5 hours on a single charge.

These battery times are perfect if you ever need to take the ProArt PZ13 on the road. There's no need to worry about the laptop dying on you at the worst moment.

The tablet is 0.35 inches thick and weighs a little under two pounds. Asus throws in a muted-green protective cover with the purchase. The cover adds some bulk to the device, although not by much. It'll fit snugly inside a bag.

As much as I like Asus' new computer, I didn't like the ProArt PZ13's keyboard. Asus states it has a 1.4mm key travel distance. On paper, that should ensure a good typing experience, but I felt the keyboard was flimsy. Pressing a key bends the accessory a bit.

Also: I tested Lenovo's Windows laptop that doubles as an Android tablet, and it has so much potential .

Furthermore, there are very few ports. You get three in total: two USB-C inputs and an SD card reader. Granted, the device is somewhat thin, so perhaps Asus couldn't find room for any more ports. Still, it could've at least included a headphone jack.

My last critique is admittedly a nitpick. I would've appreciated a free stylus in the overall package. Microsoft's 11th-gen Surface Pro had one when I got it, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. So unless you already have a pen, you'll have to buy one for the PZ13, which isn't a big issue since the laptop is fairly cheap.

ZDNET's buying advice

Prices for the Asus ProArt PZ13 start at $1,100 on Best Buy , which is a steal. There is a more powerful version available on Asus' website --  for $1,649 , you can purchase a ProArt PZ13 sporting Qualcomm's Hexagon NPU, delivering extra power.

Other than that, they're the same device. Get the Hexagon version only if you are expecting heavy workloads.

How we test laptops

We use a combination of methods to test laptops here at ZDNET. First, we acquire data from benchmarking software to analyze a system's metrics under the hood, and compare those to advertised numbers. Then, we spend an extended amount of time with the laptop (usually a week or two) using it the same way a typical consumer would, in order to analyze its portability, form factor, and how well the battery  actually  holds up, among others. For an extensive breakdown, check out our comprehensive  laptop testing methodology .

• Benchmarking:  We run a series of tests to put the computer's hardware through the wringer in order to see what it's capable of.  Cinebench  is one of the most commonly-used hardware testing suites, which tests the laptop's rendering performance on single and multiple CPU cores.  PCMark 10  is another powerful program that covers a wide variety of tasks performed in the workplace.
• Processor:  The "brain" of the laptop, and one of the most important factors that determines performance. This is tested in benchmarking software.

The display:  Brightness is measured in "nits," and color spectrums are tested in benchmarking software.

The graphics processor (GPU):  We test the GPU with a combination of benchmarking software, gaming, and media playback. 

Physical form factor:  We carry the laptop around for at least a week and note how well it commutes.

• Battery testing:  We test a unit's battery in a few ways. A handful of benchmarking programs have their own battery testing components, but we also will just let the laptop run for as long as it can under a medium load. 
• The human element:   As we mentioned earlier, metrics and system data is important, but numbers alone don't give you the full picture. This is where we weave in our personal experience with the device and tap into the practical use cases that consumers actually care about. 

Ultimately, our goal is to break down the capabilities of each and every laptop we test into digestible terms that people find useful.  

Featured reviews

One of the best samsung tablets i've tested is not a flagship (and it's on sale), this 13-inch laptop i recommend for work travel is not a macbook or a dell (and it's on sale), one of the best lightweight laptops i've tested made me forget about the macbook air.

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Alexander Arnold finally breaks silence on his future amidst long-term Real Madrid interest

Trent Alexander-Arnold is likely to be one of Real Madrid’s biggest targets in the summer of 2025, as they look to find a long-term solution at right-back.

Alexander-Arnold is seen favourably as a replacement for Dani Carvajal, who is the final phase of his career. Moreover, the Englishman’s contract situation at Liverpool makes him an even more appealing target for the Whites.

The defender’s contract at Anfield expires at the end of the season, with recent reports indicating that he has already rejected the idea of prolonging his stay at the club.

Alexander-Arnold breaks silence on his future

Even in the midst of intense speculation, Alexander-Arnold, for the most part, has remained tight-lipped on his future.

But in a recent media interaction, the right-back was finally asked about his future and whether or not he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season.

Alexander-Arnold highlighted a key reason that will determine where he plays next – winning trophies.

“My future? The most important thing is always trophies. I want to win trophies, I am a player who is highly motivated by trophies and winning things and being elite. So that is probably the main factor,” he said (h/t The Athletic ).

The Englishman went on to offer a more diplomatic answer, suggesting that is still a Liverpool player until his contract comes to an end.

“I want to be a Liverpool player this season is what I will say,” he added.

Alexandre Arnold’s muted response could reveal a lot about his intention, and judging by his statement, it appears the player is unlikely to continue at Liverpool next season.

This is because the right-back specifically highlighted that he wants to be a Liverpool player this season, without elucidating anything about a contract extension.

“Look, I have been at the club 20 years now. I have signed four or five contract extensions and none of those have been played out in public. This one won’t be either,” he said when asked about his contract

This could prove to be a huge boost for Real Madrid, as they look to secure the signing of the Liverpool star on a free transfer next summer.

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The Mets, who just completed a 6-1 homestand, now hold the second National League wild-card spot.

Week 3 recap: Is Travis Kelce cooked? Is Sam Darnold an MVP? Doomsday in Dallas? | Yahoo Fantasy Forecast

Week 3's Sunday slate had upsets, comebacks and some downright confusing results. Pinch hitting in the host chair for Matt Harmon, Scott Pianowski joins Andy Behrens to breakdown all the fantasy implications from Sunday's action. The two determine which games you should care the most about from a fantasy perspective, the games you should care about a little and the games that could have been an email:

Chiefs hang on for win as Falcons squander pair of chances to take a lead late in 4th quarter

The Falcons had chances to knock off the Chiefs and couldn't do it.

Fantasy Football Week 3 Wrap: Go add Jauan Jennings, who looked like 49ers' WR1

Fantasy football analyst Dalton Del Don delivers his game-by-game recap of Week 3.

Cincinnati Reds fire manager David Bell after 6 seasons and 1 playoff appearance

The Reds will miss the playoffs for the fifth time under David Bell's tenure this fall.

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Early pickups for Week 4

It's time to look ahead to Week 4! Check out these three fantasy football waiver wire suggestions.

Matthew Stafford, Rams rally to stun 49ers with game-winning field goal

The 49ers were without Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle in a rare occurrence on Sunday afternoon.

Chicago White Sox lose 120th game of the season, tying modern MLB record

The 1962 Mets and the 2024 White Sox are the only teams that lost 120 games.

Bad beat: Giants' Devin Singletary slides down at 1-yard line to seal game when over would've hit with TD

Devin Singletary gave himself up at the 1-yard line late on Sunday afternoon instead of scoring an easy touchdown.

NFL Winners and Losers: Vikings are 3-0, and Brian Flores' defense might be biggest reason

The Vikings are 3-0, and coaching is leading the way.

Week 4 Overreaction: Michigan grinds down USC & Tennessee's defense looks nasty

Week 4 managed to be much messier than anyone anticipated. On this week's overreaction show, Dan Wetzel, Ross Dellenger and SI's Pat Forde revel in Michigan's overpowering win over USC and Tennessee's defensive domination of Oklahoma. And of course, they give another pitch for why Colorado's Travis Hunter should win the Heisman.

Chargers QB Justin Herbert leaves game with injury as Steelers move to 3-0

Herbert was sacked in the third quarter, seemingly aggravating a high ankle sprain sustained last week.

Giants rookie Malik Nabers torments Browns with ridiculous highlight-reel grabs as New York tops Cleveland

The Giants beat the Browns 21-15 in large part thanks to rookie Malik Nabers' performance.

WNBA playoffs: Caitlin Clark starts slowly in 1st career postseason game as Sun rout Fever

Clark started 0-for-7 from 3 and didn't hit her first from distance until halfway through the third quarter.

Giants turn over ball, give up TD in first 11 seconds vs. Browns

An ugly start to the game for the New York Giants, who are trying hard to get right against Cleveland.

Titans still backing QB Will Levis despite latest turnover, struggles in loss to Packers

Another week, another costly Will Levis mistake.

NASCAR: Martin Truex Jr.'s first-round playoff exit was disappointing and unsurprising

Truex was 24th at Bristol after a speeding penalty and hasn't finished in the top 10 since July.

• MyU : For Students, Faculty, and Staff

SRC honors Professor Chris Kim with Sustainable Future Award

The Semiconductor Research Corporation has awarded Professor Chris Kim with the 2024 Sustainable Future Award for his “groundbreaking contributions to energy efficiency and sustainability.” Kim, who is a McKnight Presidential Endowed Chair at the University of Minnesota, has been the innovative force behind the development of a quantum inspired Ising solver chip that is based on existing silicon-based semiconductor technology. The chip is capable of solving complex optimization problems, most common and relatable examples of which are scheduling (for instance, airline schedules) and logistics (delivery of goods and services).

Kim and his team of scientists have designed this particular Ising solver chip keeping in mind that problems in the real world are most efficiently and effectively solved by all round connectivity, where messages in the form of signals can be sent and received to multiple entities/nodes simultaneously. Such an arrangement enables free exchange of information from each node to all other nodes which speeds up time to solution.

To overcome the hardware, connectivity, and time limitations of this approach, Kim uses quantum computing as a launching point while situating the chip design within standard CMOS technology. Straddling the worlds of quantum computing and classical silicon-based computing, the quantum-inspired Ising solver chip emulates qubit behavior using classical device technologies. The design enables faster computation, so you can arrive at a solution rapidly while also consuming less energy. Besides, the use of existing silicon technology provides the added advantage of better scalability. In a nutshell, existing chip manufacturing technologies and design software have been combined to demonstrate a microchip that can find the  optimal solution by emulating quantum properties. The details of the research were published in a Nature article in August 2023 titled, “An Ising solver chip based on coupled ring oscillators with a 48-node all-to-all connected array architecture.” At the time of publication Kim had commented, “The Ising solver chip our team has developed offers distinct advantages: it can solve complex optimization problems rapidly by offering faster computation, consuming less energy, and better scalability.”

SRC in its news post on Kim’s award emphasizes the significant energy impact of his work. They indicate that while current state-of-the-art quantum machines demand a staggering 25 kilowatts of power for cryogenic cooling, Kim's solution operates on a mere 0.03 watts using standard CMOS technology, which is approximately one-millionth of the power required by conventional quantum systems.  

Reflecting on the award Kim says, “When I received the news from SRC about winning this year’s Sustainable Future Award, I thought it had something to do with the lifestyle changes I made almost five years ago—becoming a vegan, selling my gas car and barbeque grill, cutting back on personal travel, and adopting a minimalist lifestyle. Since then, sustainability has become the foremost consideration in both my professional and personal life. As a direct result, my students and I developed a method for quantum computing that doesn’t require huge amounts of energy to cool these exotic devices. We are all fortunate to work in a field where our technical contributions have a direct positive impact on the sustainability of our planet.”

The award was presented at SRC's TECHCON held earlier in September in Austin, Texas. TECHCON is the key event in SRC's research and workforce development efforts, and it is attended exclusively by member company engineers, scientists, and recruiters, and offers opportunities to network, exchange knowledge, and share career insights.

Read SRC’s announcement of the 2024 Sustainable Future Award

Read the full paper titled “ An Ising solver chip based on coupled ring oscillators with a 48-node all-to-all connected array architecture ” without a subscription.

Read our coverage of the quantum-inspired Ising solver chip developed by Professor Chris Kim and his team.

Learn about Professor Kim's research

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• Oranienbaum (Lomonosov)

Grand Menshikov Palace

Menshikov began to build his residence here in 1713, at about the same time as Peter began work on his own estate at Peterhof. Menshikov seemed intent on outdoing his master in terms of scale and grandeur, and commissioned architects Giovanni Mario Fontana and Gottfried Schadel, who were already building the Menshikov Palace in St. Petersburg, to design his seaside palace. After over a decade of work, which eventually bankrupted Menshikov, the palace was completed.

Facing the sea, with a two-level terrace in front of it, this charming yellow and white building consists of a concave central block with two single-storey galleries leading to prominent octagonal pavilions, one of which houses the palace chapel. On the south side of the building, two large ancillary wings, the Kitchen Wing and the Ladies' Wing, run from the pavilions perpendicular to the central block.

Menshikov had little time to enjoy his new palace before he was arrested and exiled in 1727. The estate at Oranienbaum was passed to the state, and Menshikov's palace became a naval hospital. In 1743, the estate was presented by Empress Elizabeth to her nephew, the future Peter III, who commissioned Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli, the greatest late baroque architect working in Russia, to renovate the palace. Rastrelli left the exterior of the palace almost untouched, but created sumptuous interiors that have, sadly, long since been destroyed. At this time, the western pavilion became known as the Japanese Pavilion, thanks to the collection of Japanese and Chinese ceramics it housed.

The palace was altered again in 1762 by Antonio Rinaldi, who added a granite staircase and semi-circular balcony to the northern terraces and redecorated many of the interiors. After serving as a Naval Cadet College from the end of the 18 th century, the palace was used as a residence by both Alexander I and his brother Mikhail. During the 19 th century, several famous architects, including Luigi Ruska, Carlo Rossi, and Vasiliy Satsov, reworked the interiors of the palace.

Today, while the Grand Menshikov Palace is still extremely impressive from the outside, its interiors are in a parlous state, and major renovation work still needs to be done to prevent parts of the building collapsing. For visitors, there is little to see except a collection of portraits of the various owners of Oranienbaum.

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