Travel trends could see a sea change in 2022

Even if you haven't heard of bleisure travel, chances are you have unwittingly experienced it. One of the emerging travel trends for 2022 is this; bleisure travelling is essentially a combination of business and leisure travel, as the name indicates. Corporate business travel that is prolonged on the front or towards the end of a visit, and business events with friends and relatives that tag along for the journey are the two main branches of bleisure travel.

According to American Express Travel's global travel trends report, 93 per cent of Indians are planning to spend more or the same on travel in 2022 compared to a typical pre-pandemic year and 96 per cent agreed they like to eat and shop at local businesses to support the local economy, Indian travellers are looking to adopt the new normal with more purpose. The survey report, based on data from seven countries including the United States, Australia, India, Canada, Mexico, Japan, and the United Kingdom further reveals that the motivation to travel for 48 per cent Indians is for discovering new experiences, 46 per cent for relaxing and 45 per cent for exploring new destinations.

Some of the stronger emerging travel trends for 2022 will include people opting for staycations or weekend getaways in villas or holiday resorts, preferring mini-holidays over one big annual trip, and an added demand for travel packages, offers, and value-adds. The American Express report also shows that like its counterparts, Indians are also traveling to see the people and places they love, celebrate important life events, embark on wish list trips, experience in-person events, and seek greater wellness and self-care. Highest amongst all the other surveyed countries, 91 per cent of surveyed Indians agree they will book a dream vacation in 2022 which they normally would not have considered before the pandemic while 87 per cent want to book a once-in-a-lifetime vacation in 2022.

Talking about the travel trends in India, Manoj Adlakha, SVP and CEO, American Express Banking Corp., India said, "Our travel trends report shares that to make the most of the lost time, 94 per cent of respondents agree they plan to travel more with family in 2022 than they did in 2021 while 89 per cent shared that they are interested in multi-generational family trips than ever before."

He further added, "To make new memories, Indians are mostly booking vacations with their families and preferring experiences that support the local communities revive from the impact of the pandemic."

Another emerging travel trend for 2022 includes an increase in technology being an essential part of making travel plans. Mobile bookings via travelling which is now a common occurrence for most travel and hospitality businesses. Mobile devices account for two out of every five internet bookings, according to operators. These smartphone customers are also more beneficial to your company. This is a relatively new tourism trend that is swiftly gaining traction. Over the last year and a half, we've relied on tech in a number of ways to stay connected and engaged, and our favourite applications will continue to aid us in navigating the uncharted areas on our travels, with 76 per cent of Indian travellers believing that technology helps ease traveling concerns. With growing refinement and assertiveness, technology is expected to ease out the unexpected potholes on the path.

Dream destinations are becoming a reality: Thinking about 2022 travel, 69 per cent of respondents agree they want to travel to their dream destination this year. Five in ten respondents shared they are willing to travel solo now to visit their dream destination. Asia is the number one choice Indians want to explore in 2022 when thinking of their dream destination, and within Asia, exploring different cities within India itself remained the preferred choice for 51 per cent of respondents.

Another significant change in travel behaviour over this time period has been an increase in interest in discovering and exploring some of the country's hidden jewels and undiscovered locations. We should anticipate many individuals, particularly young adventure tourists, scheduling several trips to some of the country's lesser-known leisure destinations in 2022.

Multiple activities, in-person events, and luxury drive choice of vacations and destinations: 94 per cent of respondents prefer to visit destinations that have access to more than one scene (e.g., beach, city, mountain, desert, etc.) while 91 per cent are interested in cultural immersion and all-inclusive luxury travel resorts than before the pandemic. 89 per cent of consumers held off on travelling for major entertainment events last year but have plans to return to these types of events this year.