With the travel industry enjoying a welcome boom after two years of lockdowns and restrictions, it’s fantastic to celebrate World Tourism Day 2022 taking place on 27th September.
This year’s theme adopted by United Nations’ World Tourism Organization (WTO) is ‘Rethinking Tourism’ to meet the challenges of sustainability and climate change. To celebrate World Tourism Day 2022, we take a look at the latest travel trends that will continue into 2023 and beyond.
12 Travel Trends for World Tourism Day 2022: “Rethinking Tourism”
According to ABTA in their Travel in 2022 report, in 2023 we will “…expect to see holidaymakers ‘catching up’ on the trips they’ve missed out on by upgrading elements of their next holiday or opting for a bucket list destination, as well as an increased reliance on the expertise of travel professionals and the security of package holidays, as they navigate changing travel requirements at home and overseas.”
Post-pandemic, travellers are appreciative of their ability to have the freedom to explore the world once again, but their needs and interests are evolving. This article looks at some of the emerging trends for World Tourism Day 2022 and how the tourism industry can meet those needs.
Bucket list destinations
After two years of staycations and a very cautious return to travelling abroad, travellers are now gaining the confidence to go further afield to places they’ve always wanted to visit. This is fuelled by these dream destinations being off limits for so long, and the financial savings from not going away resulting in a larger holiday budget. Travellers who have sadly lost loved ones may also be of the mindset that “life is too short”, and are booking long-haul exotic holidays earlier on in their life than they perhaps would have. It really feels as if it’s exactly the right time to be celebrating World Tourism Day 2022 when the world is once again opening up for exploration.
Holiday upgrades
Those who have already booked their holidays, especially those that have been deferred for a long period of time, may be looking for upgrades to make their trip extra special. This could be a more superior grade of room, or a more generous board basis. This is a great chance for tour operators to offer deluxe rooms or suites, or enhancements such as candlelight dining, champagne, or spa treatments. There may even be the opportunity to add a few days to an existing booking with a beach extension or a different destination altogether.
Social distancing is still a big thing
While World Tourism Day 2022 celebrates that many tourists are embracing the freedom of Covid restrictions being lifted, some travellers are being more cautious. That’s why outdoor and open areas are becoming popular, such as beaches, forests, national parks and wildlife reserves, where social distancing can be maintained more easily.
Smaller, boutique accommodation
Travellers are wanting more from their holiday experience, and rather than opting for large hotels, are turning to smaller, boutique accommodation for a more unique and personal experience. Not only are they staying somewhere that’s a little different, but this option will also appeal to those who want to limit the number of people they are around.
Security in booking a package holiday
One thing that still troubles many prospective holidaymakers is having to cancel their trip due to testing positive for Covid 19. To avoid an extended hassle in trying to reclaim money from separate companies, package holidays are definitely seen as a safer choice as everything is in one place, including flights, accommodation, transfers, entrance fees, etc.
Working holidays
Workations are a growing trend for 2023, reflecting the shifting of workplace dynamics. While it may sound contradictory to be working when you’re on holiday, it’s a great way to take a longer break with the compromise of spending some of the time working, but in different surroundings. Many employers recognise that their employees can work remotely, whether that’s at home or somewhere more exotic. To achieve this, travellers are looking for accommodation with high-speed WiFi, and designated working space.
Eco tourism
One of the biggest travel trends for World Tourism Day 2022 is ecotourism. Travellers wanting to visit India often have a great interest in making environmentally-friendly choices, factoring in climate change and their carbon footprints as part of their planning processes. Luckily, India offers many options for greener travel, such as journeys by train and a wide choice of eco-friendly accommodation. Many states are making an enormous effort to focus on eco-tourism, and there is a wide range of greener accommodations to choose from, particularly from the pioneering CGH Earth hotel group.
Culture-focussed travel
Many travellers are shunning overly curated itineraries in favour of immersive experiences that show them more about local people, customs and traditions. In India, this includes homestays where you feel like part of the family and farm-to-plate experiences at resorts providing their own ingredients.
In Kerala, tourists can take part in the Village Life experience, trying their hand at traditional activities such as coconut frond weaving and fishing. In Gujarat, tourists can spend time learning about the fascinating traditions of the Kutch people, and in Rajasthan, they can learn about the Bishnoi tribes, ecologists responsible for the preservation of the endangered blackbuck. This is one of the key trends for World Tourism Day 2022.
A few of our favourite culture tours
Special occasions
As travel opens up again, people are looking at venturing further afield to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, honeymoons and other special occasions that may have been deferred due to the pandemic. With consumers keen to finally take these holidays, budgets are expanding to compensate for the time spent waiting.
India has a wealth of locations perfect for celebrating, such as houseboats in Kerala, deluxe jungle camps in the north, or wonderful treehouse hideaways in the forests. Not to mention Brahmaputra river cruises with boutique ships small enough to be chartered for one large group. There is always the option of a tour concluding in a beach extension, for the ultimate blend of exploration and relaxation.
Activity holidays
The pandemic saw many people focus on exercising, notably cycling, running and walking, and keeping fit in general. Following World Tourism Day 2022, we predict a large growth in activity holidays, where travellers can combine sightseeing with exercising, such as cycling tours or trekking holidays. They are a great way for travellers to see a new destination off the beaten track whilst reducing their carbon footprint, being more environmentally friendly and staying active.
Wellbeing breaks
It’s not just physical health that travellers are looking after post-pandemic, it’s also mental wellbeing. There’s a wealth of well-being getaways in India that include relaxation, Ayurveda, gentle yoga, along with mindfulness and massage. Many retreats also offer cookery classes, art therapy and nature walks. More and more travellers will be inspired to get away from it all to truly relax and unwind in a peaceful setting, to return refreshed and rejuvenated.
Bespoke itineraries
With package holidays being favoured for peace of mind, tour and holiday operators can benefit from providing flexibility within those packages to their clients. As more people venture out to dream destinations and once-in-a-lifetime experiences, World Tourism Day 2022 is a key time to start tailoring packages to their preferences. Travellers will love having the freedom to create their own holiday, rather than feeling constricted to a “one size fits all” rigid itinerary.
We hope that you’ve found these travel trends for World Tourism Day 2022 interesting. If you’d like to start creating your dream post-pandemic getaway, contact us today, – we’d love to help.