Vrbo data shows pandemic-influenced travel habits are here to stay

AUSTIN, Texas – January 11, 2021 – While families may be ready to put 2020 in the rearview mirror, new data from Vrbo® shows that some travel habits forged during the pandemic will stick around in 2021 and beyond.

A nationwide Vrbo survey of families show that over 80% already have travel plans for 2021, and many families will opt for a road trip close to home, visiting the great outdoors, or mixing work and play while away (also known as the Flexcation). Here are the pandemic-era travel habits that are here to stay in 2021 [1]:

• Rediscovering the great outdoors: 61% of families surveyed said they are more likely to visit an outdoorsy destination rather than an urban one.
• Reviving the road trip: 59% of families say they are more likely to drive instead of fly on their next trip.
• Working from vacation: 52% of travelers who took a Flexcation this year found the experience of blending work and family vacation time refreshing, and 67% said they would do it again.

“Families are eager to make up for missed vacations, and the trips they’re planning in 2021 are going to look similar to many of the trips taken last year,” said Vrbo travel expert Melanie Fish. “With continued uncertainty around COVID-19 and a newfound appreciation for travel habits developed during the pandemic, we expect families to continue taking road trips instead of flying, taking advantage of flexible schedules to mix work and play on a Flexcation, and seeking out destinations with access to open skies and fresh air in places they may not have considered before.”

Before booking, families should check for travel advisories and restrictions in their vacation destination and always follow health and safety guidance from health officials and local authorities. Visit this help article for more resources and information.

To learn more about 2021 travel trends, visit https://www.vrbo.com/vacation-ideas/explore-vrbo/travel-trends/the-2021-vrbo-trend-report.

[1] Based on a survey of 1000+ Vrbo travelers in the U.S. in October 2020.

About Vrbo

In 1995, Vrbo introduced a new way for people to travel together, pairing homeowners with families and friends looking for places to stay. We were grounded in one purpose: To give people the space they need to drop the distractions of everyday life and simply be together. Since then, we’ve grown into a global community of homeowners and travelers, with unique properties around the world. Vrbo makes it easy and fun to book cabins, condos, beach houses and every kind of space in between.

Vrbo is part of Expedia Group and offers homeowners and property managers exposure to over 750 million visits to Expedia Group sites each month. To learn more, visit www.vrbo.com.

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