Sapphire Resorts is a vacation club offering members access to exclusive resort destinations around the globe. Sapphire Resorts notes that as the Covid-19 threat begins to wane, people are jumping at the chance to get out and about again. While travel forecasts for 2021 proved too optimistic, Sapphire and other industry experts suggest that some popular tourist spots could see their best summer yet in the upcoming year.
Alongside this positive report, Sapphire Resorts encourages the industry to consider new emerging expectations among travelers, to ensure their vacation packages still make the grade.
Travel Returns in 2022 But With a Few Important Shifts
There's no denying that the travel industry around the world is in recovery mode — and it could stay that way until 2025. Forecasts published by ACI Europe state that although the near-term demand for passenger travel has increased, it'll take a while to return to pre-Covid levels. But that's to be expected after such a dramatic decrease during the pandemic.
Regardless, the
boosted workplace flexibility 2020 forced upon companies has changed the way people plan their vacations, according to Christina Fritts, the director of Customer Insights at Evolve.
Sapphire Resorts says the stay-at-home restrictions throughout the pandemic have made a notable impact on the travel savviness of the public. Covid thwarted all 2020 vacation plans, causing many to lose money. So now, travelers are more insurance-conscious and look for flexible cancellation and rebooking policies over many other factors (including cleanliness!).
Rental companies, travel agencies, and other vacation-oriented organizations willing to keep up with the changing trends will prove successful. Insights gained through various 2022 forecasts predict that travelers:
#1 Are Confidently Arranging Travel and Embracing Vacation Rentals
Even though the pandemic brought intense uncertainty, 80% of interested travelers are charging forward with their 2022 vacation plans according to Sapphire Resorts. Furthermore, 32% of these people state that they will travel regardless of whether Covid rears its head again. Surprisingly, a mere 4% of people say they won't plan travel until the pandemic further subsides.
Vacation rentals are proving more popular than hotels in the coming year. 86% of survey respondents replied they plan to book a rental next year. Only 0.3% of the population is not planning to use a rental in 2022.
#2 Are Looking to Go on Longer Trips More Often in 2022
This year saw people making somewhat rash travel decisions — 59% of people booked trips two months or less in advance. But the forecast for 2022 is quite different. The same group is now looking to book between two and five months in advance.
The trips themselves also seem to be longer and more frequent than in recent years. 2020 and 2021 saw people vacationing for three nights on average. However, the average trip will most likely be between five and seven nights in 2022, with many taking three or more of these week-long vacations.
#3 Over 40 Are Falling in Love with The Ever-Growing Work-Travel Trend
According to Evolve surveys and Sapphire Resorts research, travelers over 40 are more likely to take long trips (i.e., those over two weeks) than travelers under 40 years old. That suggests the over 40s are more interested in working remotely.
#4 Are Escaping to Country Retreats Rather Than Cities
Understandably, people wish to escape cities in the coming year. After all, the pandemic mostly affected built-up areas with dense population.
However, experts weren't necessarily expecting such a decrease in city numbers — only 6% cited shopping as a 2022 vacation must-do, and a mere 7% cited concerts and festivals. 58% wish to get in touch with mother nature during their vacations (i.e., biking, hiking, kayaking, etc.), and 61% want to go on relaxation and wellness trips.
As for the type of country retreats, waterfront rentals and mountain escapes are currently top of the forecast list. But that doesn't mean to say that beaches, forests, and other outdoor landscapes won't do as well.
Who's Going to Have the Best Summer Yet?
Now for the real question — which destinations will have the best summer year in 2022? Are tourists' changing travel expectations impacting popular getaway locations?
As it stands, The Balearic Islands and Jamaica are set to have a fulfilling summer turnaround. Tourist group forecasts predict the former will be the leading Mediterranean vacation destination next year, with more visitors than in 2019! Reservations sales are already 50% higher than they were last year.
Jamaica's director of tourism, Donovan White, forecasts that by the end of 2022, the country's tourist numbers will accumulate to 4.1 million. 1.6 million of those are set to be cruise passengers and 2.5 million stayovers. He states the expanded seat capacity on flights and ships means they'll be close to their 2019 record as the year draws to a close.
Sapphire Resorts Says Get Out and Travel in 2022
Sapphire Resorts has a motto: Life is Short… Vacations Matter®. Next year promises to be a beautiful one for travel. But with more and more people booking early, aspiring vacationers need to reserve their spaces soon!
