With that being said, here are the travel trend highlights that will most likely shape travel in the coming year:
1. Go big or go home
According to a survey conducted by Expedia with 12,000 travelers across 12 countries, travelers have a newfound appreciation that every trip is now a privilege during the current situation; hence travelers are looking for fulfilling and more transformative journeys without holding anything back.
According to the report, travelers plan to go big on their next trip with a GOAT (Greatest of All Trips) mindset to maximise the richness and meaning of their overseas experiences. G Adventures have seen a significant jump in overseas travel by 35% of US travelers so far in November compared to 2019.
2. Safe Travels
Travelers should take certain precautions, mainly in safeguarding financial losses. Travel experts recommend travel insurance to help refund costs for any trip cancellations or other unforeseen circumstances.
That’s why travelers need to weigh airfare and accommodation options that allow for refunds, travel credits, or changes, even if those options are going to cost a little more.
3. A Peak in Group Travel
With COVID vaccination, travelers have at least peace of mind knowing they can travel with a relative degree of safety. Testing requirements are still widespread even for vaccinated tourists, and many countries have also dropped policies like mandatory quarantine periods.
After a couple of years apart, 2022 will be all about big and small reunion trips. According to Amadeus, group bookings have increased by 83% since last Fall. This includes business travel that is also ready to make its comeback in 2022.
4. Back to Nature
National parks and other outdoor-centric destinations will still be very popular in 2022 — and for good reason. Outdoor activities are proven safer than indoor activities when it comes to coronavirus spread. People tend to take short weekend getaways to recharge and refresh their mind after stressful work days.
5. Workations
The mix of “work” and “vacation” is a new travel trend nowadays. You can combine work from home and “vacation”. Over the last period, COVID-19 pandemic forced us to change some of our most consolidated habits. A lot of people found the situation difficult : several people lamented that they were unmotivated and were more likely to get Work-From-Home burnout. But nowadays you can work everywhere. So, the dream of working on holiday has become true. This modality has proven to be very convenient : for this reason, workers could also adopt it during other periods. This modality has shown that holidays aren’t just about idling. In fact, a lot of people that tested workation reported that they were highly productive and inspired.
What will the future of travel be?
It seems like we have finally found the light through this pandemic whirlwind. Many countries have re-opened their borders and dropped policies like mandatory quarantine periods. The future of travel might be bright, and we have so many things to look forward to. As the worst effects of the COVID-19 pandemic recede, most indicators point to travel coming back—with a vengeance—as people look to reconnect, explore new destinations, or revisit reliable favorites. Many just want to get away from the confines of their homes.
How can ATI help you?
With 20 years of experience, the ATI group has deep expertise in the travel and aviation industry. We provide integrated technology digital services & solutions such as Online payment for Agents (OPA), E-ticket manager, fare management platform, all of which make it easier for the travel industry to keep up with changing trends that continue to develop.
Our clients leverage our industry-specific skills and technology to take advantage of new opportunities for their business. Our flexible and competitively priced service models also mean they only pay for capacity as needed and no job is too small or too large.
