Each year, we conduct an in-depth analysis of the projected changes in the travel and hospitality industries worldwide. These are not simply travel trends; they are ideals and principles that will drive the industry toward a more healthy and sustainable future in the aftermath of the COVID disaster. In 2022, the travel industry is expected to see a variety of significant changes, ranging from the growing role of travel agencies to technological improvements.
Based on current trends and growing ideals, here are some predictions on how travel will change in 2022.
1. Travel that is enhanced by technology is a necessary.
In 2022 and beyond, the importance of technology in travel will continue to expand. In the future, technology solutions will be crucial in informing and supporting the public with travel decisions.
Testing, quarantine, and form requirements will continue to differ by nation when countries begin to admit vaccinated passengers. To assist international travelers during their journey, it is critical to give accurate and up-to-date international travel needs, as well as rapid updates in the event that travel conditions alter.
With contactless technology, travel will become even more convenient. Travel agencies have implemented cutting-edge technological solutions to ensure their customers’ safety and quick access to aid and information. The option to order food and services via an app, as well as concierge support via Whatsapp or chat, all add to travelers’ peace of mind.
Apart from virtual tours of hotel suites, plane cabins, museums, and tourist destinations, we anticipate that augmented and virtual reality technologies will gain acceptance. To plan a trip with greater certainty, visitors can use these tools to conduct additional research about a destination.
2. Customization and Guidance Have Never Been More Critical.
Additionally to their travel requirements, travelers will seek expert assistance on all aspects of their trip. A few years ago, using review sites and the internet to plan a trip could have sufficed, but there are now numerous other possibilities. How are vaccine distributions developing in this instance? Both restaurants and theaters are regulated, correct? For many tourists, creating daily schedules has become a considerably more complicated and demanding undertaking.
Wherever there is a demand, travel companies can fill it. Travelers are more meticulous in planning their travels, and they want customized help from the firms with which they do business. This contains anything from health rules specific to each destination to advice on how to avoid crowds.
This could entail rethinking travel marketing and digital tactics, incorporating hyper-local destination material into apps, social media, and websites, and giving authoritative information to keep passengers and their loved ones safe. A corporation is no longer merely a conduit between A and B, but a source of wisdom and support along the way.
3. What would you like to do and see in 2022?
Travelers planning travels for 2022 place a premium on having an enriching experience. Vacations in the great outdoors are becoming increasingly popular as a chance for individuals to bond with loved ones and see the globe in a more private location. Outdoor pastimes like as hiking, photography, and kayaking will experience a boom in popularity, as will the hunt for hidden hideaways.
The same is true for accommodations: they must be immaculate and secure. Over half of those surveyed by the European Travel Commission who want to travel within the next year indicate a preference for hotels or independent resorts over short-term rentals and other forms of accommodations.
A reputable brand ensures that all relevant health precautions will be performed. When combined with interactions with pristine nature, these elements bolster the traveler’s journey.
Thus, resorts can entice tourists in 2022 by promoting environmental stewardship, health and wellness initiatives, and eco-friendly excursions. Off-resort housing options, such as vacation houses or cabins, may also include units that provide additional room and solitude, in addition to the professional cleaning and customer service that guests have come to expect from their favorite resort brand.
4. As indicated by this graph, sustainable travel will continue to be a key trend in 2022 and beyond.
Travelers’ desire for ecologically friendly solutions is growing and will continue to expand, notably in the aviation business. Low-carbon travel trends, which we’ll discuss in greater detail below, will continue to evolve as travelers become more aware of businesses’ environmental endeavors. For instance, Google Flights now includes carbon emissions estimates for the majority of flight searches, a significant step forward for the industry in terms of informing travelers about the environmental impact of their flights.
When it comes to sustainability activities, the travel industry’s consumers will need to be more transparent and honest. In light of the climate problem, an increasing number of overseas tourists are worried about ways to minimize their carbon footprint while still having a good time. The ETC just published Encouraging Sustainable Tourism Practices. The following are some observations from the standpoint of a traveler:
The majority of tourists desire to see more environmentally friendly options in the travel sector.
Waste management is the top environmental concern for 46% of European travelers.
40% of Europeans said they would skip flying entirely to mitigate their influence on climate change.
Visitors will seek out groups dedicated to sustainability and innovation as countries worldwide attempt to meet their Paris Agreement commitments. Travel brands must engage their customers on a variety of environmental challenges, ranging from plastic-free programs to progress toward carbon emission reduction.
5. Safety and Health-Related Measures Remain Critical
Along with valuing their personal health and well-being and desiring a stronger relationship with environment, tourists are more likely to invest in businesses that share their values. According to a recent OAG study, 70% of US travelers feel vaccine passports should be required for international travel and 68% are interested in domestic passports as well.
Travelers feel more secure when restaurants, retail outlets, and tourist sites implement health-related measures, and research indicates that this trend will continue in 2022. Local attractions that go above and above in terms of public health should be acknowledged alongside travel corporations’ own safety efforts. This content not only teaches the travelling audience, but also inspires and delights them.
6. Travel for “Return to Business”
That concludes our examination of corporate travel trends. This is a mainly unknown zone that was one of the last sectors of the business to experience worldwide revival. Resuming business travel is contingent upon circumstances like as immunization levels and border closure. Corporate travel may be less necessary than it was previous to the epidemic, since many businesses have discovered the efficiency of remote work.
As a result, when events restart, we may anticipate an increase in online training and webinars, virtual or hybrid conferences, and regional travel. Meanwhile, it’s critical to pay attention to how individuals feel about business travel. 75% of business travelers questioned lately by PWC indicated dissatisfaction with the possibility of traveling for work again. However, travel businesses such as Iberia Airlines are undertaking initiatives and advertisements such as this one to reintroduce business travel to the public consciousness.
Businesses should be treated with respect and support when it comes to travel requirements and cleaning practices, in addition to receiving clear and comprehensive messages. Customers’ needs can be satisfied in a variety of ways, including flexible cancellation policies, private business class seats, and hotel packages that include remote work capabilities.
Conclusions
While we cannot predict the future of travel with certainty at the moment, there is a ray of hope. In 2022, there will continue to be a strong emphasis on travel regulations, cleaning processes, security measures, and sustainability. Long-distance travel and fantasy vacations will once again be on travelers’ minds, but there will be an emphasis on outdoor activities and socially isolated destinations.
If you’re traveling next year, consider how you might support your clients on their journeys by giving more tailored and digital assistance. There is still a long way to go before business travel fully recovers in 2022, but it is improbable given the growing popularity of remote working and virtual meetings.