Top five summer travel trends every travel advisor should know

 

This summer, the travel industry is heating up, but it’s not just due to warm temperatures. With the pandemic behind us, there is an overall realization that travel is not something to be taken for granted. After two years of staying indoors and at home, there is a pent-up demand to escape and experience the world this summer. With things looking up for the industry overall, travel advisors should know the biggest travel trends for summer.

Travelers feel the need to make a positive impact

As a side effect of COVID-19, many non-profit organizations and destinations that rely on charitable support suffered immensely. Considering this, travelers want to ensure their travel adventures can positively impact the world. In a recent survey by Kind Traveler, 96% of respondents noted that it’s essential that their travel dollars make a positive impact on destinations they visit. Sustainable tourism hot spots like Belize, Costa Rica, and Hawaii have emerged as top picks. Travelers are also increasingly seeking hotels and businesses that partner with local philanthropic organizations and support sustainability initiatives.

Family matters

After two years of missed opportunities to celebrate life’s milestones like birthdays, graduations, weddings, and reunions, individuals want to take advantage of any time off to spend with their loved ones and families. This summer, multi-generational group trips are drastically trending because they allow families to reconnect with their loved ones through travel and new bonding experiences. A noticeable surge in private resident-style accommodations is also evident, allowing families looking to make up for the lost time to stay together under one roof. All-inclusive resorts and cruises with kids’ clubs and enrichment programs for young ones have also been increasing in popularity.

Travelers are jet setting to Europe

Traveling abroad is much easier now that international COVID testing requirements have been lifted. Americans in particular are forgoing traditional summer road trips and packing their bags and passports for a European holiday. A recent Allianz survey found that London, Paris, Dublin, Reykjavik, Iceland, and Rome remain the most popular places on US travelers’ itineraries in 2022. Americans accrued a sizable stash of vacation days during the pandemic; therefore, understandably, the survey also indicates that 75 percent of these travelers will spend seven days on vacation this summer, and 11 percent are planning eight days away from home.

Dream vacations aren’t just for bucket lists anymore

Allianz Partners USA’s 14th annual Vacation Confidence Index estimates that this year’s summer vacation spending will be near the $200 billion mark for the first time in its 10-year history. With people traveling like there’s no tomorrow, the figure also marks a 91 percent increase surpassing pre-pandemic levels of 2019. A recent Virtuoso survey showed that 76 percent of luxury travel advisors had seen a recent rise in demand for unique bucket list trips such as educational tours, adventure & safari, and cruise/ship expeditions.

Wellness vacations are top of mind

A relatively new industry segment, wellness tourism is growing at a 50 percent faster rate than conventional tourism, with no signs of slowing down. COVID weary guests are searching for hotels, resorts, and destinations, prioritizing wellness programs, packages, and activities that offer mind, body, and soul transformation now more than ever. Wellness travel trends in 2022 encompass everything from digital detox to outdoor adventures to psychedelic wellness stays to animal-supported therapeutic retreats offering health benefits like reduced blood pressure, stress reduction, trauma healing, and increased self-esteem.

Summer travel trends include travelers venturing to out-of-this-world destinations, spending more while there, being mindful of making a difference in the local communities they visit, and focusing on well-being with those they love. There’s no better time to speak to a 1000 Mile Travel Group Travel Advisor to plan your next vacation or trip away.