Road trips make a post-pandemic comeback and new tools ensure happy travels.
As travel trends continue to shift post-COVID, the road trip is seeing a resurgence this summer. It seems the impact of the pandemic has revived the simple “staycation” because people are interested in the simplicity and convenience of a drive-to destination. According to the American Express “2021 Global Travel Report Trends”, 69 percent of those booking travel for 2021 were “interested in visiting lesser-known destinations”.
In fact, 51.3% of vacationers are finding a drive vacation “much more appealing” or “more appealing” according to a survey by Destination Analysts. Millinals prefer them (60.5%) over Gen X (50.7%) with, surprisingly, Baby Boomers coming in last at only 39.3%.
For those planning to take to the road, there are some valuable new tools being introduced to streamline your efforts, ensuring all hits and no misses. Google has added some travel guidance specifically directed at road trips. Using Google Maps on a desktop computer, users enter their starting point and final destination and suggestions appear at the top such as hotels, rest stops along the way, parks, campgrounds and more. Google will then send the route to the user via email, text or Google Map app. If there is a change en route, no problem. Adjustment are easily made from the user’s phone.
But that’s not the only good tip you need before you set out on your journey. Google.com/travel is showing more of the destination along the way such as small towns, beaches, attractions and even ski resorts.
Finally, and this is something everyone needs, Google emerges as a hero in providing safe travel rules and regulations when visiting specific destinations, which can be so fluid at a time like this. This would include whether or not proof of immunization or COVID test results are required when entering and, thankfully become increasingly rare, whether there are any quarantine restrictions in place. What’s more, users can opt-in to “Receive an email if this guidance changes.”
It’s all designed to ensure safe and happy travels. Enjoy the road!
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