Among the Survey findings: Brits ready to travel internationally. Expedia Group’s just released “Expedia® Traveler Value Index 2022 Outlook” should encourage travel suppliers and destinations that, even with the ominous shadow of a global pandemic always a threat, people want to travel, and travel internationally in 2022.
“There has been a palpable shift from counting down to an undetermined date when the pandemic will ‘end’ to the widespread understanding that COVID-19 may continue to be managed over time,” the report tells us.
So, the study’s preface explained, to better understand what’s coming in 2022, Expedia conducted a study in collaboration with Wakefield Research in November 2021 among 5,500 nationally representative adults ages 18+ across Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, the UK, and United States.
Conclusion? “The findings suggest that after two years of enduring the global pandemic, people value travel and personal time more than ever,” noted the report. Some highlights from the comprehensive work follow.
1. Most people will travel in the next six months — and frequent, quick trips are trending.
—81 percent plan to take at least one vacation with family and friends in the next six months.
—78 percent are most interested in frequent short trips. As people head back into the office and kids remain in school, individuals and families may be looking for more quick doses of adventure.
—56 percent of those who work often work remotely will take a “bleisure” style trip—a extending a work trip for leisure, or vice versa.
—Australians will embark on the greatest number of leisure trips. Nearly a third (31 percent) have a least three trips planned.
—People in Mexico will travel the most for work, with nearly half (47 percent) embarking on at least one trip.
2. People will invest more in travel compared to pre-COVID-19. More than half (54 percent) of respondents say they plan to spend more on trips than they did prior to the pandemic. Here’s a breakdown of how much people are planning to spend on average for their next trip:
* Japan’s low average spend may be due to strict travel regulations in place as well as a preference for local, low-cost trips during the pandemic.
2. People will invest more in travel compared to pre-COVID-19. More than half (54 percent) of respondents say they plan to spend more on trips than they did prior to the pandemic. Here’s a breakdown of how much people are planning to spend on average for their next trip:
| Country Market | Amount to be Spent (in U.S. dollars) |
| Australia | $2,845 |
| Japan* | $130 |
| Canada | $2,20 |
| Mexico | $710 |
| France | $1,660 |
| UK | 1,830 |
| Germany | $2,060 |
| U.S. | $2,353 |
* Japan’s low average spend may be due to strict travel regulations in place as well as a preference for local, low-cost trips during the pandemic.
3. Travelers will use loyalty points accumulated during the pandemic to help fund trips.
Two out of five (40 percent) people plan to use loyalty points for at least part of a trip in 2022. Those who live in the following countries will be more likely to cash in loyalty points for travel:
| Country Market | % |
| Mexico | 55% |
| UK | 47% |
| U.S. | 46% |
| France | 36% |
| Canada | 32% |
The Generational Divide Compared to older generations, Gen Z conserved the most loyalty points that could be used for travel. Here’s a breakdown of how many people have a stockpile of rewards at their fingertips:
| Generation | % |
| Generation Z (1997-2003) | 61% |
| Millennials (1981-1996) | 55% |
| Generation X (1965-1980) | 33% |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | 23% |
4. International travel will start to make a comeback. While most travelers (71 percent) plan to use their own car or a rental car for an upcoming trip, more than half (55 percent) say an airplane is their preferred mode of travel. With flights continuing to regain popularity and borders reopening to visitors, international travel will begin to rebound.
People who live in the following countries will travel the most internationally in the next six months:
| Country Market | % |
| UK | 48% |
| France | 46% |
| Canada | 43% |
| Australia | 40% |
| Germany | 39% |
Note: Nearly half of millennials and Gen Z say they’re likely to travel internationally.
5. Great deals and flexibility will remain top priorities for travelers. As was the case last year in “What Travelers Want and Traveler Value Index in 2021,” the ability to book travel for a reasonable price and make changes to trip itineraries is an absolute must in the eyes of travelers. It appears this widely held expectation is not only here to stay, but it has become the industry standard:
—84 percent of those surveyed say that a discounted fee is influential when booking a flight online.
—83 percent of those surveyed say flexible fare options makes a world of difference.
6. People will travel more responsibly and consciously. Almost all 93 percent people say they will adapt travel plans because of current lack of workers in the tourism industry, and 98 percent are taking into consideration the impact of COVID-19 on local communities. Here are a few of the steps they’re willing to take to ease the strain during upcoming trips:
| Action to be taken by traveler(s) | % |
| Will diligently follow COVID-19 guidelines when they travel. | 62% |
| Will pick a destination known for strong COVID-19 safety protocols. | 54% |
| Will choose a destination with low COVID-19 counts. | 48% |
| Will add in extra time for services and transit, helping to minimize long lines, stress on workers, and missed flights. | 43% |
| Will deliberately spend at locally owned restaurants and businesses. | 38% |
| Are prepared to pay higher prices. | 37% |
| Are willing to postpone travel plans due to labor shortages and the impact of COVID-19. | 27% |
| Tip more than normal | 21% |
7. Sustainable trips will rise in popularity. A growing number of travelers are looking to minimize impact to the environment — even when doing so requires extra investment.
| Sustainable travel action to be taken | % |
| Are willing to pay more fees to make a strip sustainable. | 59% |
| Will choose a less crowded destination to reduce effects of overtourism. | 49% |
| Will travel locally. | 43% |
8. There will be a surge in travel for personal wellness. Following the last two years, there is undoubtedly a heightened focus on traveling for personal wellbeing, and it seems trips will have a healing effect for many. Through a study of more than 12,000 travelers across 12 countries, the Expedia® 2022 Travel Trends Report discovered the following when it comes to US travelers:
| Wellness travel action to be taken | % |
| They are prioritizing relaxation as they plan their next trip. | 38% |
| They are searching for a sense of contentment and mental well-being. | 36% |
| They plan to spend less time on their devices to be more present. | 24% |
9. Workers will use personal days for travel like never before. The pandemic caused many to reflect on what they value most, especially since many adults have had to adjust to working from home and juggling their personal and professional lives. Now, as companies prepare to return to the office and evolve remote work policies, employees will make greater use of their vacation time. Compared to pre-COVID times, the 2022 Vrbo® Trend Report, which surveyed 1,000 US families, found that:
—91 percent have a greater appreciation for spending quality time with family.
—84 percent have a greater appreciation for vacation time.
—77 percent have a greater appreciation for separating professional and personal life.
—59 percent are more likely to take a two-week vacation.
—30 percent are more likely to take a sabbatical.
10. Travel companies must continuously adapt to remain competitive in uncertain times. The future of travel, says Expedia, certainly looks brighter than it did this time last year, as people across the globe plan to travel more, increase their investment in trips, and adapt to industry challenges. But that means travel companies must adapt, too, and prepare for fluctuations in demand for the foreseeable future. In this new environment of uneven recovery, it’s more important than ever to differentiate from competition and earn loyalty from travelers who will inevitably experience plenty of brands vying for their attention. How travel companies can adapt:
1. Make sure travelers can still get a refund or credit if plans change. Clearly communicate cancellation and change policies.
2. Provide a range of options and pricing to capture demand among all types of travelers and trips.
3. Proactively share COVID-19 updates and guidance with customers, from broad updates on border status and market-specific travel restrictions, to on-property considerations such as cleanliness protocols and staffing impacts.
4. Strive to be a companion for travelers every step of the way during planning, throughout their trip, and afterwards. Deliver on promises, collect customer feedback, and adapt accordingly.
5. Offer new incentives to attract travelers. In contrast to previous years, these promotions do more than simply encourage hesitant travelers — they provide differentiation in a hot, rebounding market.
6. Consider introducing new deals specifically for quick trips to achieve a competitive edge.
7. Factor in impending redemption of loyalty points at scale, and the market opportunity ahead. Think about how your company can play a role in robust industry rewards programs.
8. Ramp up marketing, particularly in the markets where people are most keen to travel domestically and internationally.
9. Knowing travelers are focused on wellness and meaningful experiences, give thought to how you can integrate this concept into your messages to customers and potentially package deals.
10. Increase commitment to sustainability and expand eco-friendly trip options at a cost to travelers.
(Recent studies from Expedia and Vrbo were used to supplement the predictions in this report.)
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Access a PDF of the Expedia Group report by clicking here.
