Six Emerging Travel Trends For 2022 

Each year, businesses in the tourism industry check in on the latest travel trends to help form a strategy to meet the market. 

As travel restrictions continue to drop and the world opens its borders, there’s no doubt that travel in 2022 will look very different from before. 

The pandemic has transformed how travelers think about travel, how they choose a destination, and what they expect during their trip.

We have put together a list of travel trends to watch for 2022. It may well help travel companies get to grips with what’s expected for the year ahead. 

2022 Travel Trends Expected To Shape The New Year

1.  Travel With Purpose

COVID-19 has forced us to rethink every aspect of our lives, and travel is no exception. International travel restrictions have made planning trips tricky, but we are seeing several trends emerging in response to this.  

A big one to emerge has been traveling with purpose, doing good, and being part of the positive change in the industry. 

This trend has several aspects to it, namely:

Short Haul Travel

The most obvious aspect has been the increase in travel close to home. Expedia Research shows that 59% of U.S. travelers are planning domestic-only trips for 2022.

Local trips have given travelers a way to bypass international travel restrictions, flight cancelations, and expensive quarantine requirements.

Exploring local locations also allows travelers to maximize their vacation time. They can stretch the budget as far as possible, often upping the number of days on holiday and spending money on more ‘luxuries.’

The upside of it all: supporting local. Travel businesses closest to home are benefiting from much-needed cash injections while travelers explore their backyard. 

To appeal to this market, travel companies can create local and/or local luxury itineraries. These can give travelers a hands-off experience and a whole new perspective of what’s on their doorstep. 

Sustainable, Authentic Travel

Every year, sustainable travel and ecotourism weigh on travelers’ minds. This year is no different.

A recent survey commissioned by Amadeus shows that sustainable travel is now a priority for two-thirds of travelers.

On the same survey, 37% believe that being given opportunities to be involved in the preservation of destinations will help the industry become more sustainable over the long haul.

Booking.com has similar insights to share, with 64% of Americans wanting their travel spend to go back to the communities they visit.  

It also highlights that 65% of travelers wish to go on authentic trips that represent the culture and destination they’re visiting. 

From examining the supply chain to carbon offsetting and supporting animal welfare, there are numerous areas tourism businesses can focus on to tread more sustainably.

Philantourism

Recent travel trends suggest that travelers are also interested in philantourism, or travel as a force for good, in 2022. 

For example, luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent  (A&K) has seen increased demand for requests to include their philanthropic projects on travelers' itineraries. 

The Good Tourism Institute suggests this trend is a natural evolution of voluntourism. 

Tour operators can respond to travelers in this market by offering trips to off-the-beaten-path destinations and including itineraries that focus heavily on the local host communities. 

2. At Times, It’s About People, Not Places

Isolation during the pandemic has led us to appreciate our loved ones even more, which is reflected in 2022 travel trends.  

There has been a surge in group travel and traveling to see friends and family rather than sightseeing. This is to catch up on lost time and also to create ‘safety bubbles’ when traveling. 

Amadeus has termed these trips ‘friendcations,’ with their data showing an increased frequency in these types of bookings in the U.S., the U.K., and Europe.

As group travel continues to rise in popularity, now is an excellent time for tour operators to bring people together and reconnect. 

3. A Bucket List Year For Travelers

Many travelers feel like it’s time to cross trips off their bucket list this year. 2020 and 2021 have made everyone appreciate the little things, but it’s also shown us that it is time to do the big things too. 

Travelers plan on going big this year and pulling out all the stops. Expedia has labeled it the GOAT mindset, meaning travelers intend to take or plan the Greatest Of All Trips in 2022.

These types of trips are very personal to each individual. They can include everything from travel to major international destinations to specific adventure expeditions. 

"I noticed that people are much more interested in smaller resorts or private accommodations than big hotels. This is partly due to COVID and the increased health risks that large hotels bring. Also, people are tired of isolation and being stuck at home. A lot of them are looking for adventure and new experiences. Travel deals that include some of these tend to be the most popular. Especially if they include plenty of outdoor activities that don’t depend on COVID restrictions" – Torben Lonne, CEO & Co-Founder at DiveIn

Travelers are also done doing the same things every day. They are seeking fresh adventures and want to be exhilarated. Expedia talks about how people are craving new tastes and places. They want to try things they have never done before, like traveling alone or sleeping under the stars.

Whatever the case, travelers today are after unfiltered enjoyment and the feeling of fulfillment from experience. They have realized that annual holidays aren’t guaranteed and recognize the need to make the most of their time.

Companies can respond to this demand by creating personalized, once-in-a-lifetime itineraries that impress. 

4. Business Travel Is Set Go

While COVID put many people in positions where they can work from home, Amadeus data shows that 72% of business travelers are eager to travel again in 2022.

Remote work has certainly revolutionized many aspects of the corporate world. But, our human desires to network and socialize will prevail as we seek face-to-face interaction again.

Condé Nast Traveller suggests that the format of business trips is set to change too. It will no longer be a case of sticking around for a few extra days to get leisure time in after doing business. 

Instead, people will be connecting to their offices from paradise destinations. Mexico or the Caribbean are just two of the many places that top the list for ‘barefoot workations’ that happen over an extended period. 

Many countries, including Antigua, Barbados, Bali, Costa Rica, Croatia, Dubai, Iceland, and Norway, are supporting this with longer-term visas to accommodate digital nomads. 

Conde Nast points out that companies are catering to this market by making the experience more communal and giving business travelers a sense of community away from home. 

5. Travel Driven By  Wanderlust Streaming

One exciting trend that Amadeus has recently uncovered is the increase in ‘Wanderlust Streaming.’ 

After months of streaming endless tv shows, travelers now want to visit these far-off lands they escaped to during lockdown. 

It’s not a new phenomenon, though. Who can forget how Game Thrones increased tourism to Dubrovnik by 5% after airing there? Or New Zealand that saw a 40% uptake in tourism after The Lord Of The Rings was filmed?

With the UNWTO and Netflix set to publish a report on the role of movies and tv as drivers for tourism destinations, travel companies can take note of destinations on their list that are famous on tv. There might be an opportunity to tap into the trend and give travelers a unique taste of their much-loved destination. 

6. Safety and Security Assurances To Ease Travelers’ Mindset

While many people are eager to get back to some sort of normal, they are still feeling cautious about what the future holds. 

It should come as no surprise then that in 2022, travel companies need to reassure their clients about the safety and security measures they have in place every step of the way. 

This includes having insurance policies in place, communicating openly, and being transparent about what the company is doing to create a safe experience.  

Final Thoughts

No one can say exactly how travel will be affected over the next year. Disruptions may still linger for years. 

However, as the industry takes steps forward to recovery, it helps to know where to meet travelers in the market. Understanding the latest travel trends is key to continuing to provide the best service.

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