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Travel
predictions

2022

About this report
Over the past year and a half, every aspect of our lives has been redefined, especially how we travel. While the pandemic isn’t over, a sense of hope for the future is beginning to emerge. But what does this future look like for travel? We commissioned extensive research with more than 24,000 travelers across 31 countries and territories to predict how travel will continue to be redefined in 2022.
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New faces and places
2022 will finally be the time to branch out and make new connections.

The pandemic has forced us to focus on what and who are priorities in our lives – and freedom has never been so valued. Now that we are able to get back to travel once again, 2022 will not only see people reconnecting with friends and family, but also seeking new connections with 60% wanting to meet new people while away.

A resurgence of vacation romances is also likely, with 50% hoping for one on their next trip. Thanks to video calls becoming part of everyday life, we expect to see more than a few of these romances continue when travelers return home.

Are you looking for new connections on your next trip, or will you be an independent explorer? Take our quiz to discover your travel type.
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First-time feelings

The anticipation for the journey will be as exciting as the destination.

The journey to a destination is one part of a trip that many often see as a necessity, rather than something to enjoy. However, as trips have been few and far between for the past year and a half, many of us may be looking forward to the journey in 2022 more than ever.

Resetting work boundaries

Vacation time will be strictly work-free.

When the pandemic hit, homes across the globe became our offices, and the novelty of working remotely was realized. However, in 2022 we’ll see a significant rise in people wanting to firmly re-establish a healthy work-life balance, with 73% agreeing that vacation time will be strictly work-free in the future. Planning a trip to switch off from work? Select your trip type below, then copy and paste one of our Out of (Home) Office templates to let your colleagues know you’re logging off!

Try our Out of Office generator for a custom response based on your next trip.

Travel as self-care

Travel will become an essential form of self-care

Move over yoga and mindful meditation. Travel is set to become the self-care trend for 2022. Not only do people value the opportunity to switch off more than ever, but they're also using travel to fully immerse themselves in new places and cultures. Whether it's spending time with friends and family, learning languages, or trying new food, travel will look different for everyone – what does it look like for you?

What type of self-care are you looking for from your trip in 2022?
60% plan to use their next trip to explore new cultures and enjoy new places and experiences
Exploring sights you never thought you’d see and tasting new cuisines can form unforgettable experiences and help you appreciate life's opportunities.
52% want their next trip to help them get away from the routine of home life and the daily grind at work
Travel allows you to break the monotony of routines and to switch off from updates and devices. Hitting reset also helps you gain insights on your mental wellbeing.
40% hope their next trip allows them to spend time with friends and family, and to meet new people
Self-care isn’t always a solitary activity. Socializing with friends—especially in a new environment—can be both exciting and revitalizing, boosting your happiness levels and self-awareness.
50% of singles are hoping for a vacation romance the next time they go away
Perhaps self-care means spending more time with your significant other to you, but for solo travelers, wanderlust and wellness can turn self-love into finding love.

Community first

Authentic connection with the local community will be a priority

During the pandemic, people were forced to make the most of what they had close to home. People have become more engaged with their communities by supporting local businesses, and now travelers are looking to embrace this same community feeling through their vacations, too. 58% of people agree that it’s important that their trip is beneficial to the local community. 29% are going to do more research into how their tourism spending will affect or improve local communities.

How are you putting community at the heart of your 2022 travel plans?
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Just say yes!

People will be saying YES to travel, making up for lost vacation time

After such a long stretch of sacrificing socializing, traveling, and fun, travelers will embrace a new, more positive way of thinking for 2022. The number of people who feel like they need to make up for lost vacation time has grown from 42% to 63%. With any and all travel plans being put on hold due to the pandemic, 2022 will be the year of simply saying yes, with 72% agreeing they'd say "yes" to any vacation so long as their budget allowed.

Embracing the unpredictable

People will use technology to embrace travel's continued unpredictability

After travel was disrupted by the pandemic, 2022 will see travelers embracing the unexpected, with many relying on technology to do so. According to our research, 63% of travelers believe technology is important for controlling health risks when traveling, with 62% agreeing that technology helps to alleviate their travel anxiety.

People (69%) would be interested in an innovative service that could predict which countries will be safe to visit even months in advance, or could automatically suggest destinations that are easy to travel to now based on their country’s and the destination’s current COVID-19 requirements (67%).

Methodology
Travel Predictions 2022 research was commissioned by Booking.com and conducted among a sample of adults who plan to travel for business or leisure in the next 12–24 months. In total, 24,055 respondents across 31 countries and territories were polled (including 501 from Argentina, 1003 from Australia, 500 from Belgium, 1001 from Brazil, 500 from Canada, 1000 from China, 1007 from Colombia, 1001 from Croatia, 508 from Denmark, 1002 from France, 1000 from Germany, 1005 from Hong Kong, 1000 from India, 502 from Israel, 1003 from Italy, 1002 from Japan, 500 from Mexico, 501 from The Netherlands, 501 from New Zealand, 500 from Peru, 1000 from Russia, 1005 from Singapore, 1002 from South Korea, 1002 from Spain, 501 from Sweden, 501 from Switzerland, 504 from Taiwan, 500 from Thailand, 1000 from the UK, 1002 from the US, and 501 from Vietnam). Respondents completed an online survey in August 2021.