AS a species, exploring is part of our DNA. The triumph of crossing new borders, venturing into unknown territory, and discovering foreign cultures will never fade, even though viruses, variants, and various restrictions have kept most of us at home for the past two years.
But vacations are also about relaxing and escaping everyday stress, which is why so many people are desperate to make 2022 the year they finally get away.
Although the desire to travel is as strong as it was before the pandemic, tourists are unlikely to vacation in the same way again.
International hotel group Accor, which operates 5,200 hotels under 40 brands in 110 countries, has released a Northern Europe Travel Trends Report, revealing some surprising insights into travel trends for the coming year.
Nearly 80 per cent of the 2,000 candidates interviewed across the UK said they planned to go on holiday in 2022, but a third admitted their priorities had changed.
From the search for moving stimuli to reconnecting with the environment, this could be our vacation from now on…
Nourish body and soul: Given the stress of recent years, it’s no wonder travelers are seeking vacations that focus on health and relaxation. Two-thirds of Brits say this is the main factor determining their choice of getaway.
Spa-themed breaks will become increasingly popular, particularly in gorgeous settings, with yoga gardens and meditation areas. Staying fit is also important, which means a hotel gym with a few dusty treadmills and a couple of exercise mats will no longer cut it for guests.
Also as part of a shift towards better mental health, there is a growing desire for self-improvement vacations: learning new skills, crafting, or taking on the physical challenge of playing a new sport.
Living large: Stuck at home and unable to spend any money, many people are now ready to spend their money on fancy vacations in a bid to live like a millionaire for a couple of weeks. On average, people expect to spend 30 percent more on travel in 2022 than they did in 2019 and plan to take three vacations in a year.
A small proportion (12 percent) say they actually expect to spend money in the budget as a gift.
Lavish all-inclusive resorts fit the bill for a stress-free luxury vacation, while classic car road trips and nostalgic train rides are bound to do just fine. Next year, the Orient Express La Dolce Vita will operate six trains with routes throughout Europe, from Rome to Paris, from Istanbul to Split.
Call of the wild: Seeing clouds, hearing the rustle of leaves and feeling a trickle of sand between your toes are sensations that people dream of experiencing on their next vacation. Lockdowns and an increased focus on the finer details of our natural world have led to a surge of interest in biophilia, an innate human instinct to connect with nature.
Before covid, one in five people was interested in country breaks. Now, 27 percent of travelers are looking for vacations immersed in nature. But it’s not just the setting that matters; As more people seek to connect directly with wild environments, saltwater pools, thermal spas in places like Budapest, and freshwater springs found in Bath are poised to hit the ground running.
Creating the right kind of impact: An interest in the environment naturally leads to a greater focus on sustainability, with 84 percent expressing concern about the impact of their actions on our planet.
By caring more about their carbon footprint, people are willing to change the way they travel: 19 percent plan to fly less in 2022; 14 percent are interested in completing trips by rail or road; and 11 percent will stack consecutive trips to avoid multiple flights.
Staying longer in a destination is not only better for the environment, it also benefits mental well-being. By sitting still, instead of rushing around, tourists get a chance to properly relax.
City, beach or both? Most people love the sun and are likely to book a beach getaway for their first trip abroad. Italy has been identified as the main destination, followed by Spain and Greece.
But city breaks have not gone into the background. Hungry for culture, good restaurants and fun bars, 28 percent admit they long for an urban adventure. Along with the main attractions, many are eager to explore the lesser-known local neighborhoods.
Slowly dipping into travel, most of us are likely to stick to Europe this year. In terms of long-haul destinations, North America and Southeast Asia are popular choices. But, still wary of Covid wreaking havoc, 36 per cent of people plan to settle for a stay, making the most of attractions within easy reach and no flights.
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