Here we are again, looking through the crystal ball at what the new year might bring. And again, we face the unknowable -- or do we? With our continuing focus on Covid-19, we know that much of 2021 will be driven and shaped by the response to the virus.

In our Preview issue below, we hear from four top travel executives, who share their outlooks, and sector-by-sector reports on what experts, analysts, advisors and our own team of reporters expect will be the top trends in the year ahead.

Travel Weekly's Preview 2021

Introduction to Preview 2021
Introduction to Preview 2021
Here we are again, looking through the crystal ball at what 2021 might bring. And again, we face the unknowable.
Executive view introduction
Across air, hospitality, cruise and retail, there was remarkable agreement among the executives interviewed about how 2021 could play out for leisure travel.
Ed Bastian
Executive View: Ed Bastian, Delta Air Lines
"When we get to the spring and see larger groups around the world having access to the vaccine, it's going to do a lot to restore confidence."
Executive View: Jan Swartz
Executive View: Jan Swartz
"To plan our business, we're in active conversations with the health and regulatory bodies and key stakeholders in all our major markets, because when we return to service, we want to make sure that we're in total alignment."
Executive View: Audrey Hendley, American Express
Executive View: Audrey Hendley, American Express
"We will continue investment in technology and tools to help agents do their jobs better."
Executive view: Graeme Davis, Baha Mar
Executive view: Graeme Davis, Baha Mar
"Those with the financial stability to weather the next two to three quarters will find there will be a very quick and strong recovery."
Touchless bag drop used at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. Analysts predict more touchless and biometric options will be evident in U.S. airports next year.
Preview 2021: Airlines
Carriers will continue to lose money, but testing and touchless systems will help ease flyers back to the sky.
An idled cruise ship docked in PortMiami in June.
Preview 2021: Cruise
Lines will be focused on being certified to sail by the CDC and on meeting cruisers’ pent-up demand.
The Hyatt Regency Atlanta has provided free kitchen space to a local business through the Hyatt Loves Local initiative.
Preview 2021: Hotels
Cost-saving measures like streamlined room service, and flexible cancellation policies, will continue.
The U.S Capitol building.
Preview 2021: Policy
In 2021, the travel industry will be laser-focused on relief.
Tauck's new river ship, the Andorinha, which is set to sail on Portugal's Douro next year.
Preview 2021: River cruise
Look for lots of new tonnage as the rivers open up to travelers in the U.S. and abroad.
Preview 2021: Travel advisors
Advisors’ commission payment plans are changing, and more suppliers are coming on board.
The Undiscovered tour series from Globus and affiliate Cosmos features off-the-beaten-path adventures.
Preview 2021: Tours
Small groups. Private tours. Wide-open spaces. Flexibility. These will be major tour trends.
Reality check: Covid, did you think you would destroy my industry?
Reality check: Covid, did you think you would destroy my industry?
This is a pandemic, and for most of us, this is something new. This leads to any number of questions. These are just a few.

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