SEATTLE, Nov. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today,
Expedia® releases its 2022 Travel Trends Report revealing that
travelers are shaking up the status quo with new priorities next
year. Top findings from the report, which leverages Expedia data
and a global research study, revealed that more than two-thirds of
Americans (68%) are planning to go big on their next trip and that
many are eyeing international destinations like Rome, Bali,
London and Paris in 2022. Expedia is calling this new
"no-regrets" style of travel the "GOAT" (Greatest of All Trips)
mindset.
Expedia's research, which polled 12,000 travelers across 12
countries, uncovered that U.S. travelers are embracing the GOAT
mindset by seeking out excitement/exhilaration (41%) and the
feeling that they have made the most out of their trip (40%). The
study also found that travelers are more willing than ever before
to splurge on their future travels (40%).
Christie Hudson, Senior PR
Manager for brand Expedia, comments: "Travel is no
longer just about 'going somewhere.' Coming out of such a long
period of constraints and limitations, 2022 will be the year we
wring every bit of richness and meaning out of our experiences.
Whether it's going somewhere new, being more spontaneous or
treating yourself, it's clear that a new wave of excitement
is bubbling as travelers chase travel greatness to get their
GOAT."
EXPEDIA'S 2022 GOAT TRAVEL TRENDS, UNPACKED:
Where U.S. Travelers Are Heading in 2022:
Domestic
travel, particularly to warm-weather beach destinations, remains a
top choice for Americans, with 59% of U.S. survey respondents
planning domestic-only trips for 2022. However, a significant
portion (37%) are planning both domestic and international
vacations in the coming year. These are the top-searched spots on
U.S. travelers' lists:
- Domestic: Orlando,
Destin, Gatlinburg – Pigeon Forge,
Panama City and Maui
- International: Riviera Maya/Playa del
Carmen/Tulum, Rome, Bali,
London and Paris
Scrapping the Schedule
The pandemic made it difficult
to travel or do anything on a whim, with 37% of U.S. travelers
admitting to being less spontaneous since the onset of COVID-19.
While travel advisories and guidelines will persist for the
foreseeable future, travelers nonetheless are planning to embrace
the impromptu and let loose on their future trips. In fact, a
quarter (25%) of respondents are willing to be more spontaneous and
live in the moment and another 26% are aiming to be more flexible
and go-with-the-flow this time around.
- How to get your GOAT: For travelers wanting
to be more spontaneous, be on the lookout for last-minute deals and
use the "free cancellation" filter on the Expedia app to find
flexible rates.
The Splurge-cation
After cancelled trips and postponed
celebrations, travelers are ready to make up for lost time and go
big to put themselves first and get the GOAT they deserve. Over the
next year, 40% of U.S. travelers are more willing to treat
themselves and spend money on their next trip. From indulging
in luxurious experiences (15%), to upgrading on rooms or flights
(16%) to visiting a bucket-list destination (32%), 2022 will be all
about splurging on the things that make a trip go from good to
great. The study also revealed that travelers between the ages of
18 and 34 are the most likely to go big (80% compared to 56% of
travelers over the age of 50), while Gen-X travelers are the most
likely to splurge on a high-end restaurant (18% compared to 16%
overall).
- How to get your GOAT: Get treated like a VIP by staying
at Expedia VIP Access properties, top-rated hotels that offer
member perks like spa credits, late check-out and more. And for
those looking to treat themselves to luxe flying, now is the best
time to upgrade. According to data from Airlines Reporting
Corporation (ARC), average premium economy ticket prices in 2021
were around 290% more expensive than economy tickets, whereas
pre-pandemic, in 2019 they were a whopping 430% more expensive than
economy3.
Immerse to Discover
Going big doesn't just mean taking
a bucket-list trip. In the coming year, American travelers are
going after their GOAT by stepping outside their comfort zone (22%)
and immersing themselves in a destination, culture, and
experiences completely different to their own (19%).
From trying food they've never eaten before (40%) and
experimenting with local delicacies (31%), to attending a local
music event (14%) and seeking out off-the-beaten track experiences
and destinations (23%), U.S. travelers have a renewed curiosity to
learn and experience the world.
- How to get your GOAT: Expedia's handy
"Interest" filters will help narrow activity and experiences
searches. Try filtering by history and culture, or food and drink
to indulge in a food tour to get the very best the destination has
to offer.
Sensation Seeking
In 2022, travelers aren't
just craving new tastes and places, they're also yearning for the
feeling of being excited and exhilarated once again (41%);
with 11% willing to try daring or high adrenaline activities
and experiences and 24% looking to have an unforgettable night
out.
Additionally, when it comes to their next trip, one-fifth (21%)
of travelers are most excited about doing things they would usually
never do, including sleeping under the stars (19%), travelling
alone (17%) skinny-dipping (11%) or having a vacation romance
(10%).
- How to get your GOAT: Whether it's sky diving in
Dubai or deep-sea diving
in Oahu, Americans are ready
to feel wind in their hair again and the rush of exploring the
unknown. Use Expedia's "Adventure & Outdoor" filter to narrow
down experiences that will get the blood rushing and adrenaline
pumping.
Unfiltered Enjoyment
A successful trip is
no longer defined by likes on social media; rather devices are
out, and traveler priorities are shifting to place a greater focus
on staying present and mindful. More than a third (36%) of U.S.
travelers are searching for a sense of contentment and mental
wellbeing on their next trip, and nearly a quarter (24%) plan to
spend less time on their devices to be more present.
In fact, the trip experience Americans are looking forward to
most is the chance to relax and do nothing (38%). To reach this
sense of contentment, more than a quarter of travelers (27%) also
aim to spend more time in their destination to ensure they fully
experience all it has to offer. Travel in 2022 will be about
quality, not quantity, where travelers are embracing
the simple pleasures to truly achieve their GOAT with more
meaningful impact.
- How to get your GOAT: Whether it's relaxing at a
Mexico spa retreat, or staying at
the Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa in Chile with zero reception or Wi-Fi, it's the
perfect time to discover unplugged getaways that are sure to
recharge the batteries.
It's important to stay up to date with the latest government and
travel advisories. For the latest information visit Expedia's
COVID-19 Travel Guide.
1 This study was conducted on behalf of
Expedia by Northstar Research Partners, a global strategic research
firm. The survey was conducted online from August 27th–September 6,
2021, across North and South
America, Europe, and
Asia-Pacific using an amalgamated
group of best-in-class panels. The study was conducted among 12,000
respondents across 12 countries, amongst adults who are planning
domestic or international travel in the next 18
months.
2 Based
on lodging interest on Expedia.com for travel between Jan, 1, 2021
– Dec. 31, 2021 as of October 31, 2021.
3
Information is based on average premium and economy round-trip
ticket prices for January through August for 2021 & for January
through December 2020 and 2019,
sourced from ARC's global airline sales database for
2021.
About Expedia.com
Expedia.com® is one of the world's largest full-service travel
sites, helping millions of travelers per month easily plan and book
travel. Expedia.com (https://www.expedia.com/, 1-800-EXPEDIA) aims
to provide the latest technology and the widest selection of top
vacation destinations, affordable airfare, hotel deals, car
rentals, destination weddings, cruise deals and in-destination
activities, attractions, services and travel apps.
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