Major Travel Trends in 2022

As this year is slowly nearing its end, more companies publish their predictions about the major travel trends in 2022. While it is still uncertain whether all travel restrictions will be lifted and international travel will completely return to its pre-pandemic state next year, many people are likely to try to make up for the lost vacations that they were forced to cancel because of COVID-19. Here are some of the trends that may be hot next year.

Many people didn’t realize how important travel was to them until the restrictions happened. For example, two-thirds of Americans (76%) state that traveling helps to support their mental health and wellbeing. These days, many people consider vacations a way to rejuvenate and restore their health, and so hotels that offer relaxation or wellbeing experiences are likely to gain more attention. The pandemic has changed the way we work and live. Many people these days work from home, which results in blurring work and off-work hours. Today, more people want to maintain a healthy work-life balance and have vacations that are shorter but do not have business and leisure mixed.

In 2022, more travelers say that they want to connect to local communities during their travel. Over half of Americans (53%) agree that local communities should benefit from tourists. A website or an application where people could learn about destinations that need more guests and where local businesses can benefit from tourists would fill this gap. Additionally, 65% of respondents say that they want to enjoy authentic experiences during their vacations.

Refreshing memories and enjoying “first-time feels” once again is another prominent trend of the next year. Many travelers say they have forgotten the feeling of hot sun or warm water on their skin. Hotels in Paris, Venice, Rome, and other iconic destinations are great for those who miss sightseeing and other cultural experiences. This is also a great opportunity to see new places and new faces – 59% of Americans want to meet new people while they are away, socialize, and enjoy the local nightlife while on vacation.

Finally, more people are willing to go for any vacation opportunity that appears if their budget permits it. Nearly three-quarters of Americans (72%) admit that. Almost half of the respondents (48%) say that they have been saving as much as they can to be able to travel in 2022. People are also interested in new types of vacations like “wildcard” options that offer surprising vacations depending on preferences.