Travellers are feeling more experimental, are chasing meaningful travel and want to connect with destinations and not just sightsee. Families will meet for reunions, those big bucket-list trips are back on the cards and flexibility is key. From the best destinations to visit in 2022 through to the hottest travel trends, we’re feeling super positive about the future of travel and so should you.
1. Flexible tickets
Flexibility will be one of the big 2022 travel trends again. While most of the travel industry jumped on board with more flexible policies since the pandemic, the trend is set to continue into the new year. Lots of travellers are still taking a “wait and see” approach to travel, booking at the last minute or choosing flexible tickets. Some airlines have reintroduced ticket flexibility for the most basic economy passengers, and online travel agents have seen an increase in people buying “cancel for any reason” add ons.
INTERESTED? Contact GrownUps Holidays on 0800 842 685 or email grownups@ttc.com.
2. Big, grand adventures
There’s another type of trip stacking too. Why do one tour when you can stack trips back-to-back? Eager travellers have a long wish list of places to visit in 2022 and with plenty of annual leave and cash saved from almost two years at home, many will start planning that once-in-a-lifetime grand adventure.
While New Zealanders visiting Europe are well known to spend at least a month travelling around (a necessity after that very long flight!), Americans, Brits and Europeans will eagerly take a longer break and tick off more destinations they want to visit in 2022.
3. Meaningful holidays
Eco and wellness travel has been trending for a few years, and in 2022 the new travel trend will shift towards meaningful travel. While we expect travel companies, airlines and hotels to catch up with sustainability – removing single-use plastics, adding recycling bins and using eco-friendly cleaning products – travellers are looking for more. After nearly two years of being disconnected from the world, we want deeper, more meaningful connections with the places we visit in 2022. We want to break bread with locals, learn from local artisans and taste the things we saw others try on that travel documentary during lockdown.
INTERESTED? Contact GrownUps Holidays on 0800 842 685 or email grownups@ttc.com.
4. Long haul travel is back
Great news! The top places to visit in 2022 are all further than the walk to your fridge. Swap those sweatpants for sneakers and pull out your epic travel bucket list. The travel industry is reporting spikes in bookings for those big, spectacular trips like a safari in Kenya or Tanzania, seeing the pyramids in Egypt or swinging through the jungles of Costa Rica. We’re seeing a rise in booking for these types of trips from April 2022.
5. Multi-generation travel
Missed Christmas gatherings and skipped Easter lunches means many families are looking for ways to make up for lost time. We expect to see family reunions happen as multiple generations embark on special trips and make new memories on the road together. These holidays will most likely be scheduled off peak to celebrate special birthdays or wedding anniversaries with the extended family.
Article in partnership with Trafalgar. For more information and to book Trafalgar guided tours please contact GrownUps Holidays on 0800 842 685 or email grownups@ttc.com.
So, those are the 2022 travel trends. Tell us in the comments which places you want to visit in 2022 and why…