If 2021 was the year of domestic travel, 2022 might be all about the bucket list trip. You know, the one you’ve been planning since before the pandemic. With fewer travel restrictions to worry about, people are ready to get away — and stay away.
Are you ready to board a plane and set sail for your dream destination? Understanding the latest travel trends will help you determine whether now is the time to go and which deals to take advantage of.
Here’s what to expect for travel in 2022 and how you can reap the benefits.
1. Affordable Airfare
Whether you plan to fly domestically or overseas, you’re bound to pay less for a ticket this year than you did two years ago. Domestic airfare is down 19% from 2020, and international prices are still down 13%. Experts say cheap flights won’t be going anywhere soon, either.
More affordable airfare will likely become available as travel restrictions lift and countries open their borders. That means traveling to popular destinations like Hawaii will increase in price while trips to places like Tokyo and Paris will likely decrease.
2. Hiring a Travel Advisor
Travel advisors are a globetrotter’s best friend, and many experts anticipate they’ll become a necessity in planning vacations from here on out. Even if you’re returning to a favorite destination, an adviser can help you experience it in an entirely new way. They’ll also navigate ever-changing COVID restrictions so you don’t have to, which is a huge stress reliever if you’re traveling internationally.
Working with a travel agent or advisor is low-cost, too. While some may charge flat fees for putting together an itinerary, most will credit you the fee if you book through them. They’ll receive commissions from the hotels or outfitters in return.
3. Traveling by Train
Travelers have discovered their own towns and nearby attractions over the past couple of years. Now that their favorite destinations are nearby, experts predict a glamorous return to train travel in 2022. Already, there’s been an increase in this type of transportation, especially in Europe. However, the Western Hemisphere also has its fair share of luxury rail journeys, indicating a domestic interest in trains, too.
4. Productivity in Paradise
Gone are the days of tagging short holidays onto business trips. Now that remote work is here to stay, you can tune in from afar and enjoy more career flexibility. Rather than taking a sabbatical, which requires you to forgo your job and pay, you can get productive in paradise with just a laptop and swim trunks.
Take a workcation and soak up the sun as you type away to the sound of the waves. Whether you visit Mexico or go somewhere in the Caribbean, you’re sure to spot a few other barefoot remote workers tapping away, too. Over the past year or so, Antigua, Bermuda, Barbados and other tropical destinations have even launched digital nomad visas so you can stay even longer.
5. Supporting Local Businesses
Many Americans have gone out of their way to support small, local businesses throughout the pandemic. It’s no surprise that this habit will also translate to how they travel.
Whether you’re looking for a boutique hotel or souvenirs, there are myriad local vendors who could benefit from your contributions. When you support one, you often help the entire community. Multiple studies have shown that small businesses are more likely to reinvest in the community and boost the local economy, unlike major corporations. That’s good news for your favorite destinations and the people who live there.
6. Personal Development Retreats
The pandemic offered many people the chance to slow down and reprioritize self-care. Along the way, some developed a passion for nutrition or a certain exercise like yoga or boxing. Others explored their emotions and took up journaling, meditation and other self-reflective hobbies. Perhaps that’s why personal development retreats will be one of the biggest travel trends this year.
Spend an entire month in Costa Rica practicing hatha yoga or travel to Nepal and learn to meditate with the monks. Even a weekend at a wellness center could do the trick, but don’t be afraid to commit to longer journeys, too. After all, you deserve a break — and personal growth.
Ready to Splurge on Travel Trends in 2022
About 70% of leisure travelers across five different countries plan to spend more money on travel this year than in the past five. These globetrotters will shape vacation trends in 2022 and beyond. Perhaps you’ll even be one of them.
When you’re ready to splash out on a luxurious trip, avoid other travelers and stay healthy by going during the shoulder season. Figure out when your destination is busiest, and visit before or after most visitors have come and gone. If all goes according to plan, you should have a safe, memorable trip and memories to last a lifetime.