COVID-19 has drastically changed the way that Americans move about the world, not only in their day-to-day lives, but also when they’re on vacation. Given how long virus has put the kibosh on travel, it’s only natural that some Americans have begun daydreaming about their future travels. Their future travel plans usually include both bustling big cities, as well as many more casual destinations.
Here’s a look at some of the top places they’d like to go. They include destinations both here in the US and around the world.
Internationally
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico has gotten strong marks with travelers in recent month, partly due to its warm location and partly due to the way it has handled the pandemic. It’s likely that its approach to the pandemic has led more people to feel confident about traveling internationally, which benefits both travelers and the city of Cabo in the long haul.
Paris, France also makes the list of must-go places for many Americans, particularly given that Americans haven’t been able to travel to the City of Lights in almost a year or so. According to Travel Pulse, the city has been the subject of over 330,000 Internet searches in the last six months. It looks like ardent francophiles can’t wait to sip a bit of wine or wandering below the lights of the Eiffel Tower.
Bali, Indonesia is a favorite among popular traveler and foodie YouTube stars, like Kristina Carrillo-Bucaram. With its lush flora, amazing food and tropical waters, it’s easy to see why so many Americans are hankering to see this island paradise. Over 240,000 impatient travelers have looked up “travel to Bali” in the last year.
Tokyo, Japan is in many travelers’ sights and why not? This city once hosted the summer Olympics and is an important international business and financial center. The city boasts numerous museums, sporting events, theatrical performances, festivals and even cosplay.
In the US
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina has become both a favorite destination and jumping off point for people who want to spend their time basking on the beaches of the East Coast and eating the delicious offerings of some of the South’s tastiest restaurants. It’s also a place, where YouTube travelers, like Marc Zboch, can overnight before they hit destinations like Wilmington, North Carolina for some serious deep sea diving.
New York, New York appeals to travelers who want to take in Broadway shows, to attend art openings at famous museums and galleries and to experience the nightlife. Given that it’s nearly impossible to be bored in the Big Apple, it’s no wonder that so many people have been in a New York state of mind during the pandemic.
Las Vegas, Nevada also tops many travelers’ must-travel-to lists. At one time, Sin City was haven for adults who wanted to get away and partake in the more “adult” parts of life.
Nowadays, it’s a place that’s known for catering to all kinds of travelers, including families, as evidenced by the number of educational exhibits and playland-type areas that city offers. To be sure, adults can still enjoy loads of fun in Vegas; it’s just that their kids can now, too, and given how the pandemic has trapped families inside, the lure of a Vegas vacation is now stronger than ever.
Orlando, Florida has also landed on the list of places Americans want to go post-pandemic, according to the Business Insider.
The desire to travel to this city makes sense on a lot of levels. Miles and miles of beaches mean that there’s plenty of fun-in-the-sun to be had. There are also some pretty famous destinations to visit, including theme parks, the Kennedy Space Center and much, much more.
Final Thoughts on Future Travel
Not being able to travel has left many ardent travelers feeling out of sorts. According to a recent Los Angeles Times article, for some people, travel, or more specifically, the anticipation of it, allows them to exercise a form of self-care.
In light of that, people who love to travel, like Marc Zboch or Kristina Carrillo-Bucaram, should continue to plan future trips, because travel opportunities will open up again. Eventually, they’ll be able to satisfy their wanderlust in places like Mexico, France, or even cities within the US, and their appetites for travel will get fed once again.