How Tour Operators Are Planning for Travel in 2021

Tours are going to look different when travel restarts in earnest.

Not only have tour operators made changes for safety circumstances, but travelers will also have increased options and the comfort of navigating a post-pandemic world with the help of guides and experts.

Travelers are also looking to travel with a purpose and are looking for tours and destinations that allow them to get off the beaten path and discover new places.

Private Tours

Many tour operators now have opportunities for travelers to travel in private groups. CIE Tours, Globus, Adventures by Disney, Trafalgar and others have all started offering these types of trips.

Travelers can customize their vacation with CIE with private driver journeys, custom vacations or, for groups of 10 or more, private group travel experience based on pre-set itineraries or customized trips.

Adventures by Disney now also offers private tours for groups of 12 guests or less but with no minimum age limit to Costa Rica, Egypt, Greece, Italy or Peru with journeys starting in April 2021.

Trafalgar has also announced private tours for small groups who want to travel together. Groups of 12 or more can book an entirely private journey on most of the company's winter and spring itineraries.

"We know people want to travel but may be apprehensive about widening their circle beyond close family and friends," said Gavin Tollman, CEO of Trafalgar and Costsaver. "Our private trips are designed to make stepping back into travel easy and comfortable."

Domestic Tours
Many companies have also added new domestic trips to cater to travelers who would like to go somewhere but are unsure of international travel.