What's Shakin' for 2022

Photo credit: William Navarro for Unsplash

As we slowly make our way out of this latest pandemic wave, one trend seen across the board is the pent up desire and demand to travel. After almost two years of severely clipped wings, we are ready to fly again!!!

So what does the the travel landscape for 2022 look like? I have been following trends and surveys and articles all during the pandemic. But the research that is coming out in the last quarter is starting to paint a fairly common picture. I culled through massive amounts of this data and here are the commonalities that I am seeing.

Photo credit: Beth Rowan

The Bucket List Trips

The one thing I see over and over again is the bucket list trip - that dreamed about destination that you have had on the “list” for years. After two years of little to no vacation time and a huge decrease in big travel, people are ready to take the plunge. If the pandemic has taught us one thing, we realize that we really are not guaranteed anything. In fact, this concept is so popular that Expedia has named 2022 the “Year of the G.O.A.T”. That stands for “greatest of all travel”. Pretty clever Expedia!

What are some of the bucket list travel I am seeing and working on? African safaris, the Galapagos, expedition cruising (especially to Antarctica), the Maldives, Fiji, seeing polar bears, and trekking to K2 Base Camp via Pakistan. That is a super fun dream trip to work on!

Search trends are showing Tanzania, Jordan, Machu Picchu, and the Galapagos. What’s on your bucket list?

Photo credit: Tyler Nix from Unsplash

Family & Friend Trips

So, so many missed milestones and celebrations are fueling the growing trend of family and friend travel. Topping those lists are family vacations, multi-generational travel, and friend staycations. People just want to be together, celebrating all that keeps them together.

Lots of people are opting to rent villas and homes, giving them the freedom to plan experiences that are tailored to the age group or interests of different segments of the group. It also allows the group to stay safely within their own “bubble”. In some parts of the world, such as Tuscany, France, and Mexico, inventory for these homes is already very hard to find, especially for high season.

Photo Credit: Ronald Salazar from Unsplash

Beaches

I have found that even those people who tend towards physically or culturally active vacations are lured by the thought of sand between their toes. Beaches are the perfect way to detox from the stress of the last two years. All-inclusives are still a favorite. People will venture further out as the pandemic eases but, for right now, they want everything within their reach for a truly relaxing vacation.

Top trends I am seeing are Mexico, the Caribbean, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Florida. Don’t forget the sunscreen!

Domestic Travel

Domestic travel here in the States is still popular in 2022. Camping and RVing in the West are right at the top of the list. And no wonder! We have some of the most amazing National Parks in the world! If this is on your list, just get started early. We saw a lot of sold out situations last year for RV rentals and park passes.

I am also seeing interest in other locations besides the West. New Orleans, Savannah, Napa, the southern states, and road trips through New England and on the coast of California. We live in a big, beautiful country that is very deserving of our exploration!

Photo Credit: Matthias Muli from Unsplash

Croatia & Iceland Are Firmly on the Map

As much of the remainder of the European region struggled with lockdowns, closures, and tight restrictions, Iceland and Croatia were among the first countries to open in the region. And both demonstrated a fair amount of success, with limited outbreaks caused by travel and a jumpstart on pumping tourist dollars into their battered economies. Though publicized well, it seemed that both countries just hunkered down and went to work. And the travelers came! Though not at pre-pandemic levels, travelers were greeted with smiles and service. Though “on the map” before the pandemic, both countries are now a fairly standard request on a regular basis. Bravo to them both!

France and Italy continue to be a popular request for summer 2022 travel. And Sicily (as well as sister island Sardinia) seem to be the new darling on the Italian tourist scene. This summer might be a perfect time to go before the flocks of tourists overrun these beautiful, culturally rich, proud islands!

And lucky for us lovers of all things Europe, we are seeing an ease of restrictions in many of these countries, especially for vaccinated (and boosted) travelers.

Photo credit: Salman Sidheek from Unsplash

Dubai EXPO 2020

After a year delay due to the pandemic, EXPO 2020 opened in Dubai to much acclaim in October, 2021. Expo 2020 is amongt the largest world’s fairs ever and the first to take place in the Middle East. The theme for this fair is “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future” and is built on the three pillars of sustainability, mobility, and opportunity.

192 countries agreed to participate and the pavilion of the last one, Afghanistan, was saved by a private collector who had fled his homeland in the late-1970’s. He filled the pavilion with his personal collection, allowing visitors to see and learn from Afghanistan’s deep and rich history. EXPO 2020 allows you to take a peek into the culture and history of every, single country in the world. Amazing!

Deemed a success with millions of tourists visiting the Expo, hurry to get your tickets and your boarding passes as the EXPO 2020 pavilions will be shuttered on March 31, 2022.

Photo Credit: Beth Rowan

Some Rising Stars

Both Ireland and Turkey have been on some travelers’ lists for decades. But I am starting to see a real rise in queries for both countries. And I am incredibly excited by both!

As an Irish descendant only a couple of generations removed, it warms my heart that so many want to experience the beauty of this “Emerald Isle” and the unsurpassed hospitality of its people. I have been many times and would go again tomorrow if given the chance. It is a perfect place for families with outdoor spaces everywhere and a natural love of children and families. Ireland still tops the list for my family of the most memorable vacations ever.

Turkey, with its rich history, amazing architecture, markets, food, and art should be on everyone’s list. And though Istanbul is amazing, do break away to see all this country has to offer. From historical ruins to balloons over the unique topography of Cappadocia, from the markets of Istanbul to the beautiful seaside, Turkey is as varied and interesting as any country of its size, if not more so.

Photo credit: Beth Rowan

Slow Travel

Another trend we are seeing all over the travel industry is what I call “slow travel”. This style is becoming increasing popular and encompasses longer vacations, fewer countries, longer stays in one spot, and more immersive experiences while traveling.

Immersive experiences can take you deeper into the aspects of a culture that intrigue you and your fellow travelers. It could be food or art or photography or trekking or biking or winemaking or local crafts or gardens or theater. You get the picture. As this is one of my specialties, I will not speak much to immersive travel here. I promise another blog post soon on this topic.

Another form of slow travel is to return to a destination you have already been but seek experiences in a different part of the destination. Every country has regions and each one has its own flair. Maybe you have seen Madrid and Barcelona but what about Galicia or San Sebastián or Valencia. Seen the sights in Italy? Think again because there is Piedmont and Puglia and Sardinia. And every destination everywhere has different food, customs, and cultures in each region. Slow travel savors those destination favorites in entirely new ways.

Photo credit: Beth Rowan

A Personal Favorite

Yes, I would be hard pressed to talk about travel trends in 2022 without mentioning one of my all-time favorites. For those that follow me here or anywhere, you know I can talk up a blue streak about the magic of Jordan. And I am not alone!

Jordan has made so many lists as a top destination for 2022, including (but not limited to) the NYT “52 Places for a Changed World” and as the only Arab destination on CNN’s top destinations for 2022. And so, so many more. The reason? Jordan has it all. Iconic sites to visit, deeply layered history, fabulous food (and plenty of it), art, adventure, nature, relaxing resorts, and incredible people.

As I have said before, Jordan should be on everyone’s list so why not 2022?

Photo credit: Jared Rice from Unsplash

Wellness

Wellness means lots of different things to all of us but after the last two years we have had, we can all agree we need more of it! And wellness travel is on the rise and only getting started.

Wellness travel might be to a retreat or just a destination that has a focus and facilities geared towards wellness. It can be centered on meditation and yoga, diet and exercise, or nature and all of its natural healing powers. It can be whatever attracts you but it is all centered around healing the mind, body, and spirit in natural ways.

Wellness can be a routine kind of travel for you or it can be taken at a specific time where you are feeling out of alignment with yourself. It is all defined by you. And it is one of the fastest growing segments of the travel industry.

Photo credit: Josh Durham from Unsplash

Follow the Fun

The world is full of amazing events and they are roaring back to life in 2022! So why not plan your travel about a dream event that you have always wanted to see up close and live?

There are amazing music festivals all over the world. From classical to jazz to rock to pop. You name it, we can find it. Why not attend that amazing festival in England or France and wrap your itinerary around it? And there are flower festivals and theater festivals, art and design festivals, and the list goes on. Or maybe you love car racing so why not get up close and personal at Le Mans and then eat your way through parts of France to top it all off. I have been chatting with one client about a whiskey or scotch festival for a group of his buddies, followed by days of golf in Ireland and Scotland. Or a literary cruise where you cross the ocean with your favorite authors might float your boat (sorry for the terrible pun).

Whatever you define as fun, we can find a match and make it a full-blown trip. Just follow your fun!

Photo credit: Zeina Kassan, Wadi Rum, Jordan (that’s me in the middle)

My 2022 Travel List (So Far)

Though I did travel to some amazing places in 2021, my clipped wings are mended and I am so, so ready to feel that magical moment when the plane lifts off from earth as many times as I am able in 2022.

So, what is on my list? I have a range of small group trips I am leading, personal travel, and industry trips already lined up. And my year is shaping up to be magical just in the anticipation!

For domestic, I already have trips to Portland, OR, San Francisco (with a side of Napa), Chicago, Georgia, and NYC on the calendar.

Further afield, there is Cuba, at least one return trip to Jordan (with a side of Israel and Lebanon), Portugal, Mexico, France, and Morocco already scheduled.

On my dream list???? Yes, I am always dreaming of all the magical places our beautiful earth has to offer us. On that list is a return to my beloved Africa (maybe time in Kenya or Zimbabwe), Colombia, dog mushing and Northern lights in Finland, polar bears, a train trip through the Canadian Rockies, and my ultimate dream - an expedition cruise to Antarctica.

I may have been locked down and/or homebound for much of the last two years but I clearly never stopped dreaming. I hope you stayed on your dream path, too. I would love to hear what is on your dream lists!