Travel and tour are constantly transforming with the traveler’s desire for new experience, rapid technological advancement, climate change, and undeniably it is facing big uncomfortable challenges following the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the rise in the omicron cases across the globe, travel certainly is facing challenges, but still, travelers and business professionals are hoping for a better New Year 2022!
Let have a look at the top 10 tourism trends right now and highlight how leisure businesses can stay on top of their game and rebuild tourism for the future:
1. Bleisure Travel
Now that most of the organizations across the globe have accepted the work-from-home concept, the demand for workcations is high. As per the studies, the flexibility of remote work with leisure travel is expected to go up by 40%. Bleisure travel is growing where people extend their business travel to leisure activities. And it’s predicted that it will continue to grow in the mobile workforce. Many corporations are offering their workers some tourist experience during a work trip. Once the business associates meeting is over a business traveler may decide to extend their stay to explore the destination.
2. Digitalization and no advance booking
Digitalization has led to online booking. Not only has this made the advertising cheaper for Travel companies but even the consumers are enjoying the convenience and promptness. The increasing digitalization of tourism generates new business opportunities and promotes the sustainable development of the sector. People are not doing advance booking because of unpredictable times. And digitalization has made even the cancellation of hotel booking and flight booking easy for consumers.
3. Personalization
According to a study, 57% of travelers believe that companies should personalize their buying experience and base it on their behaviors, personal preferences, and past choices. Personalization is also important when it comes to the actual tour or activity. By offering flexible experiences that can be tailored to a traveler’s needs, you stand a chance of better satisfying your clients, and that can lead to repeat visits. Your priority should, therefore, be on offering customer-oriented services. Reach out and speak to your customers to learn about their preferences, characteristics, behavior, and individual needs and accordingly customize their tour.
4. Sustainable travel options
People have become aware of the importance of sustainable travel. The pandemic has made people cautious about nature and its significance in the long run, so travelers are expected to book more sustainable travel that means, including concern for economic, social, and environmental issues as well as improving tourists’ experiences, options this year. More travelers are implementing this mindset hence, making their travel decisions with the environment in mind.
5. Nature is best, ecotourism
Since the pandemic started, people have been mostly indoors. But now, with vaccinations and booster shots, travelers are hoping for better travel days in 2022. The demand for natural destinations is expected to increase as people have been craving outdoors. People will be more interested in exploring the outdoors and practicing relevant activities including hiking, biking, and kayaking. Mountain/rural escapes and waterfront getaways are expected to be popular vacation experiences.
6. Tech empowered travel
Technologies proved to be crucial in the post-pandemic world where international tourists need to present Digital COVID Certificates or fill out travel documentation. What is more, people need instant access to information and help when being abroad. In the coming year, tech innovations will continue to bring ease to the travel experience. Technology and innovation seem to be the key in building traveler confidence and they will increase willingness to travel in the next 12 months.
- Mobile Notifications and alerts on-trip
- Self-service check-in
- Contactless mobile payments
- Automated and flexible cancellation of hotel bookings and flight bookings
- Mobile boarding
7. Homestays will be popular
Travel experts are also hoping that given the current situation, demand for homestays will also increase next year, with more and more people wanting to travel safely and staying at smaller places with less exposure to other people. Such a vacation is ideal for people who are feeling the need of escaping out of their homes, due to the hectic life they are leading but want to avoid the ongoing Covid-19 regulations.
8. Transformative travel
Transformative travel is about not just traveling for leisure but also aiming to make a difference in both the lives of others and oneself. When it comes to making a difference in their own lives, clients can opt to go for wellness holidays where they retreat and either join a yoga class, relax at a nature-filled destination, or attend some apprenticeship classes to learn a new skill. Because of this trend, there is also a notable change in the travelers’ diet. Instead of indulging in unhealthy meals, those who’ve joined the organic food movement prefer places that offer highly nutritious and organic foods.
9. Caravan tourism
2022 might also see an increase in demands for caravan tourism. Especially after the pandemic, people want to travel safely, away from crowded buses and trains and stay at a home away from home. Enjoying nature and its beauty with their family or friends will help in making more connections with each other. It can be like having family time by just playing in an open space or spending quality time with your dear ones or friends.
10. Wellness Travel
These are travelers looking for an enriching experience with the primary purpose of achieving, promoting, or maintaining the best health and sense of well-being and balance in life. But don’t think wellness travel is limited to resorts and spas. A helicopter tour, paragliding flight, or whatever fun adventure your company offers, is a chance for personal growth by conquering fears or expanding horizons. Your existing offers may give the chance for people to empower themselves by learning a new skill set which also encourages personal growth. Covid-19 has drawn our attention to the negative impact of travel on the global environment and initiated a promise for ‘coming back better. So the tourism industry will continue this trend by promoting sustainable outdoor travel and ecotourism in the post-pandemic era.
