Predictions for Travel in 2022

Over the past year and a half, seismic shifts propelled the world to shift to an evolving version of the ‘new normal.’ Along with that shift, the travel industry has also been repeatedly redefined. While COVID-19 is not yet in the rearview mirror, a sense of hope is beginning to take place. To explore the optimism, Booking. com commissioned extensive research with U.S. travelers, combining it with its proprietary data and insights to generate predictions for 2022 travel.

In 2022, there will be unpredictability as U.S. travelers begin making up for lost travel time, with a 52 percent increase since last year in travelers thinking they need to get away. Booking.com’s data shows predictions for 2022 travel, including how people will be reigniting travel in the upcoming year.

Traveling as Self-Care More so than daily exercise or mindful meditation, getting away on vacation will become a major form of self-care in 2022, with over 76% of U.S. travelers affirming that travel helps their mental and emotional wellbeing more than other forms of rest and relaxation. After more than a year of ever-evolving travel restrictions, the important benefits that travel has on health and wellbeing are now being acknowledged, with approximately 66% saying they didn’t realize how important travel was to their wellbeing until it was no longer an option, and 82% saying that having a vacation planned has a positive impact on their emotional wellbeing.

Setting an Out of Office Despite the flexibility to work remotely, more than half of U.S. travelers would rather spend less time on vacation if it meant they could completely switch off in 2022 versus spend more time in the destination while having to mix business and leisure. And with 50% of U.S. travelers claiming to have worked more hours using less vacation days during the pandemic, the hotel industry can expect to see more people setting their well deserved out of (home) office messages in 2022.

Recapturing the First-Time Travel Feeling Daydreaming out the car window or getting lost in a maze of winding cobblestone streets to pick up the keys for a vacation apartment will be sheer bliss for just over 77% of U.S. travelers, who say travel is more enjoyable when the journey feels like part of the trip itself. Each ‘first’ of trips in 2022 will be a moment to savor, with a majority of travelers saying that simple pleasures such as feeling the sun on their skin or seeing a body of water of some kind instantly improves their mood for the better.

Putting Community First More than half of U.S. travelers agree it’s important that their trip is beneficial to the local community at their destination and 54% would appreciate an app or website that provides recommendations on destinations where an increase in tourism would have a positive impact on the local community. Furthermore, 64% want the money that they spend when traveling to go back to the local community, and 65% want to have authentic experiences that are representative of the local culture.

Meeting New People For many, the pandemic meant spending an extended and intense period with closest friends and loved ones, but vacations in 2022 will be an opportunity to branch out and make some new connections. The hotel industry can expect to see travelers using their vacations as an opportunity to expand their usual social circles, with 65% of U.S. travelers looking forward to socializing while on vacation and 52% wanting to stay somewhere close to plenty of nightlife options.

Saying Yes Nearly 72% of U.S. travelers will say yes to any vacation opportunity if budget allows. And 48% of that group has been saving their pennies by not taking any big trips since the pandemic started, so money is no object for the trips they will take in 2022. Technology will play a key role in supporting spontaneity with increased optionality to book on the go and the flexibility to adapt plans and follow where the adventure leads.

Embracing the Unpredictable Uncertainty will continue to be a constant in travel in 2022, and while every new surprise and challenge that fate has in store cannot be predicted, travelers will embrace it. Having leaned on technology in a variety of ways to stay connected and inspired over the past year and a half, favorite apps will continue to help navigate the unknown on trips, with almost 65% of U.S. travelers agreeing that technology helps alleviate the anxiety around traveling.