Post-Covid-19 travel trends in 2022

With most countries around the world easing Covid-19 restrictions, the tourism industry is seeing strong demand from travelers, especially for novel, faraway international destinations and European cities.

According to experts, tourism is no longer simply about "going somewhere." Having escaped from a long period of constraints and limitations, travelers desire to enjoy the richness and meaning of their experiences.

Here are some travel trends that are predicted to boom this year.

Air travel: Restrictions are being eased.

According to a survey of 300 airlines by the International Air Transport Association, data shows that compared to last year, nearly 150% of tourists chose to use air travel this year. In addition, travelers will have more options as many countries have reopened their borders, such as Australia, the Philippines, and Bali. Airlines are gradually reopening old routes while expanding new ones.

To ensure a smooth trip, travelers should check travel requirements at their destinations before flying. Meghan Benton, head of research at the Immigration Policy Association, says there are currently more than 10,000 quarantine and movement control regulations. However, these regulations are gradually being eased.

Aggregate data from the seven largest US airlines shows that summer travel season airfares will plummet by 18% compared to 2019. In January, international airfares reached their lowest level since Hopper, a booking app, began surveying prices in 2014. However, predicting prices will become more difficult as traditional processes have been impacted by the pandemic.

"To meet the diverse needs of travelers, many airlines allow flight changes without additional fees," replied Brett Snyder, founder of Cranky Flier, an airline data analytics website.

In addition, mask mandates on airplanes are gradually being lifted. All major airlines in the US allow passengers to wear masks or not, at their discretion. Airline representatives argue that the air filtration systems in modern aircraft make it difficult for the Covid-19 virus to spread.

Smart hotels enter the competition.

In the post-Covid-19 pandemic era, many hotels are beginning to shift towards digitalization and automation. Many hotel brands will adopt features such as eliminating the need for manual check-in, communicating with hotel staff via apps, and using robots for room service. This is a cost-effective solution to address the labor shortage in the tourism industry.

"High-tech hotels are the new trend in tourism," said Chekitan Dev, a professor of hospitality and tourism at Cornell University.

On the other hand, sustainable hotel models are also beginning to emerge. Hilton introduced its first eco-friendly hotel model this year with Marcel New Haven, which operates entirely on solar power. In addition, SCP Hotels operates seven large hotels and aims to "go green" for all of them in the near future.

Local tourism is on the rise.

After more than two years away from urban centers, tourists are eager to return and immerse themselves in the hustle and bustle, sights, and sounds of the expansive cities.

"It's a relief that the UK lifted its quarantine measures on February 26th. Booking rates are increasing at European destinations like Paris and London," said Henley Vazquez, co-founder of FORA, a New York-based travel company.

Mr.According to a booking company, data shows that New York was the most searched and booked destination in 2022. Searches for New York increased by 13% compared to the same period last year.

AboveScott's Cheap FlightsAccording to websites that search for cheap flight deals, Paris and London are the most searched destinations. Hotel searches on Expedia increased by 62% for London and 51% for Paris. Data from Hopper also shows that these are two of the most popular international destinations for travelers.

With the easing of restrictions, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts reported an 80% increase in bookings in Paris, London, and New York from December to January 16.

Multifunctional Resorts are becoming a trend.

Resorts are increasingly shifting towards catering to every personal need in a more luxurious way. Guests can find everything they need without having to leave their homes. According to Erina Pindar, CEO of SmartFlyer, a luxury travel company, the catalyst for this trend is the lingering fear of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Tourists are still hesitant to travel extensively, so they tend to prefer staying within the resort. We expect this demand to grow strongly," Erina said.

The Hotels.com website shows a significant increase in customer searches for this type of resort compared to the same period in 2019. Mel Dohmen, a spokesperson for Hotels.com, shared that travelers want to find a place with all the amenities so they don't have to go outside.

Couple travel is booming.

Couples' wellness is one of the fastest-growing aspects of the global healthcare industry. Travel has become an integral part of the experience. Many hotels and therapists now offer private getaways and beach activities. In addition, participating couples receive guidance from a mental health professional throughout their vacation.

"Couple therapy is often overlooked. But therapy during vacation can be far more effective," says Marissa Nelson, a therapist based in Hawaii and Washington D.C.

According to Shlomo Slatkin, a couples therapist, traveling together helps strengthen a relationship. Shlomo currently runs The Marriage Restoration Project, his company focused on helping married couples.

"To change the status of a relationship requires a big boost, so travel is the best way to do it. Couples have been in lockdown together for a long time and they need to relax," Shlomo said.

Family travel is POPULAR.

After two years of lockdown and school closures, parents are eager to find ways to supplement their children's learning. Now, parents are looking for educational experiences while they travel.

"Previously, families didn't proactively inquire about educational activities available during holidays. Now they're starting to care," said Chitra Stern, CEO of Martinhal resorts in Portugal.

Currently, nearly half of this company's bookings include inquiries about educational games for children. Last year, these luxury resorts began partnering with the United Lisbon International School to host a two-week educational summer camp for young guests in Martinhal Lisbon.

On Road Scholar, a company specializing in educational tours for all ages, registrations for family study trips are increasing. This program provides participants with knowledge of history and geography while observing brown bears in the Canadian Rockies. Alternatively, visitors can learn French while playing a treasure hunt at the Louvre Museum in Paris.

Anh Thi