Outdoor Destinations Thriving & Beckon Remote Learners & Workers

Recently a few SSS associates rallied together for an impromptu getaway to Sedona, Arizona. The scenery was just as jaw-droppingly beautiful as we remembered, and we were so grateful for the mind-body-soul experience as we hiked, spa’d and lounged by the creek side pool. Not only did the trip rejuvenate our spirits and give us a big heaping dose of that balancing vortex energy, it further opened our eyes to how Americans are traveling today.

 Although the trip was for pleasure, we always have our planner hats on and made it a point to visit a few different properties while in Sedona. Unsurprisingly, we learned from the sales team that their summer and fall business was quite strong, with significantly higher demand than usual. Now that school is back in session, they are seeing a lot of families doing remote learning and working vacations.. Destination “micro-weddings” are also on the rise there. Sedona can be looked at as a microcosm of the industry’s recovery, which is being led by outdoor-friendly destinations.

 What does all this mean to us? Life is happening now—albeit a bit differently. There’s no more waiting for things to go back to normal. This is a time to work with what we’ve got, make plans for the future and chart new paths.

Understandably, destinations with an abundance of outdoor recreation and wide-open natural spaces are more popular than ever thanks to their social distancing friendly attributes. According to Destination Analysts’ recent traveler sentiment survey, “Nearly 40% of likely Fall travelers say they will visit a small town or rural area on their Fall trips, with beach visitation less likely than in the summer months and urban travel increasing.”

 Families are traveling midweek and off-peak, taking advantage of the option to work and learn remotely. According to Destination Analysts, 52% of those interested in “schoolcations” reported some likelihood to take one this Fall, while 46% of those interested in “workcations” said they were likely to actually take one in these coming months. When asked to describe the ideal characteristics of a destination for this type of trip, those surveyed preferred a beach, lake or waterfront location. Of course, potential workcationers are seeking reliable high-speed internet in relaxing and even remote environments, while potential schoolcationers seek a destination that is fun while also peaceful.

 L’Auberge de Sedona ticks all of those boxes and offers spacious family-friendly cottages with creek side dining, a swimming pool and access to all of Sedona’s hiking trails and adventures. Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort in Santa Barbara Wine Country introduced an “Alisal Academy” package that includes extras for the kids like Polaroid cameras to document their “recess” adventures on the ranch for show and tell. One Californian family we know took the ultimate plunge and booked an old-fashioned camp on a lake in Maine for the entire month of September with their best friends—four adults, five kids, one grandpa and two dogs were in their pod and it looked absolutely glorious. 

 We are inspired to see people getting out there to create joyful memories, especially during these challenging times.