New faces and places

• 2022 will finally be the time to branch out and make new connections
• 60% of travelers are looking forward to meeting new people while on vacation

The pandemic has forced us to focus on what and who are priorities in our lives – and freedom has never been so valued. Now that we are able to get back to travel once again, 2022 will not only see people reconnecting with friends and family, but also seeking new connections with 60% wanting to meet new people while away.

A resurgence of vacation romances is also likely, with 50% hoping for one on their next trip. Thanks to video calls becoming part of everyday life, Booking.com expects to see more than a few of these romances continue when travelers return home.

Are you looking for new connections on your next trip, or will you be an independent explorer? 

Take Booking.com quiz to discover your travel type.

First-time feelings

• The anticipation for the journey will be as exciting as the destination
• 75% of travelers find that the journey to a destination is more enjoyable when it feels like part of the trip itself

The journey to a destination is one part of a trip that many often see as a necessity, rather than something to enjoy. However, as trips have been few and far between for the past year and a half, many of us may be looking forward to the journey in 2022 more than ever.

Which simple travel pleasure are you looking forward to most in 2022?

• The unknown: 
  • 58% say they enjoy learning new and unfamiliar transportation systems when traveling
• The weather:
  • 77% say that the simple pleasure of feeling the sun on their skin will improve their mood
• The scenery: 
  • 21% of travelers say they're most looking forward to enjoying the scenery when traveling for their next trip
• The anticipation: 
  • 19% of travelers are most excited about the anticipation for their trip as they begin the journey

Resetting work boundaries

• Vacation time will be strictly work-free
• 73% of travelers say vacation time will be strictly work-free in the future

When the pandemic hit, homes across the globe became our offices, and the novelty of working remotely was realized. However, in 2022 we’ll see a significant rise in people wanting to firmly re-establish a healthy work-life balance, with 73% agreeing that vacation time will be strictly work-free in the future. Planning a trip to switch off from work? Select your trip type below, then copy and paste one of Booking.com Out of (Home) Office templates to let your colleagues know you’re logging off!

Try Booking.com Out of Office generator for a custom response based on your next trip.

Travel as self-care

• Travel will become an essential form of self-care
• 79% of travelers agree that travel helps their mental and emotional wellbeing more than other forms of self-care

Move over yoga and mindful meditation. Travel is set to become the self-care trend for 2022. Not only do people value the opportunity to switch off more than ever, but they're also using travel to fully immerse themselves in new places and cultures. Whether it's spending time with friends and family, learning languages, or trying new food, travel will look different for everyone – what does it look like for you?

What type of self-care are you looking for from your trip in 2022?

• Explore & discover:
  • 60% plan to use their next trip to explore new cultures and enjoy new places and experiences
  • Exploring sights you never thought you’d see and tasting new cuisines can form unforgettable experiences and help you appreciate life's opportunities
• Socialize with others:
  • 40% hope their next trip allows them to spend time with friends and family, and to meet new people
  • Self-care isn’t always a solitary activity. Socializing with friends—especially in a new environment—can be both exciting and revitalizing, boosting your happiness levels and self-awareness
• Rest & recharge:
  • 52% want their next trip to help them get away from the routine of home life and the daily grind at work
  • Travel allows you to break the monotony of routines and to switch off from updates and devices. Hitting reset also helps you gain insights on your mental wellbeing
• Find romance:
  • 50% of singles are hoping for a vacation romance the next time they go away
  • Perhaps self-care means spending more time with your significant other to you, but for solo travelers, wanderlust and wellness can turn self-love into finding love

Community first

• Authentic connection with the local community will be a priority
• 58% of travelers agree it’s important that their trip is beneficial to the destination's local community

During the pandemic, people were forced to make the most of what they had close to home. People have become more engaged with their communities by supporting local businesses, and now travelers are looking to embrace this same community feeling through their vacations, too. 58% of people agree that it’s important that their trip is beneficial to the local community. 31% are going to do more research into how their tourism spending will affect or improve local communities.

How are you putting community at the heart of your 2022 travel plans?

• Option 1: Trying to support tourism communities that might need it more:
  • 66% of travelers agree with you! If you're looking for other ways to make your trips more sustainable, take a look at Booking.com simple sustainable travel tips. Here
• Option 2: Travel to off-the-beaten-path destinations that are crowded:
  • 68% of travelers agree with you! Did you know there are lots of beautiful lesser-known locations you can explore? Take a look at Booking.com top emerging destinations for 2022. Here

Just say yes!

• People will be saying YES to travel, making up for lost vacation time
• 61% of travelers are now more open to different types of vacations

After such a long stretch of sacrificing socializing, traveling, and fun, travelers will embrace a new, more positive way of thinking for 2022. The number of people who feel like they need to make up for lost vacation time has grown from 42% to 63%. With any and all travel plans being put on hold due to the pandemic, 2022 will be the year of simply saying yes, with 72% agreeing they'd say "yes" to any vacation so long as their budget allowed.

Booking.com reveals 8 of the top trending destinations for travelers to explore in 2022:

1. Atlanta, USA: The capital of Georgia, Atlanta, is known as the cultural center of the South and offers a true urban adventure. Full of lively neighborhoods with world-class restaurants and a vibrant nightlife, it's a great destination for all types of travelers.
2. Taichung, Taiwan: Taiwan’s second-largest city is famous for its big night markets. By day, Taichung is home to historical temples and must-see sites including the prestigious 200-year-old Lecheng Temple, the ornate Chenghuang Temple, and the three-hall style Wanhe Temple, which showcase intricate architecture and reveal the rich cultural past of the city’s ancestors.
3. Gramado, Brazil: Gramado is located in the "Romantic Route" region of southern Brazil, a scenic route that runs through 13 municipalities of Rio Grande do Sul. With charming boutiques, restaurants that serve chocolate and fondue, and pedestrian crosswalks, Gramado feels like a quaint Swiss village in the heart of South America, making it an unexpected destination thanks to its fusion of cultures.
4. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: Santo Domingo exemplifies the pulse of Dominican culture, a city where old perfectly meets new, with art galleries, a buzzing nightlife, and a delicious food scene all set among architectural wonders from the 16th century and a UNESCO world heritage site.
5. Brașov, Romania: Set in the heart of Transylvania, the 13th-century city of Brașov inspired the world’s most famous vampire and will transport you back in time. Brimming with medieval ambience and bordered by the Southern Carpathian Mountains, the city is full of Gothic architecture that makes for an awe-inspiring skyline.
6. Llandudno, UK: Known as "The Queen of the Welsh Watering Places," this Victorian seaside gem is perfect for exploring beaches, nature, and castles along the North Wales Coast. The immense limestone headland overlooking Llandudno is known as The Great Orme, and visitors can take a tram to reach its summit station for wonderful views.
7. Montpellier, France: Montpellier sits on the Mediterranean coast of southern France and is full of elegant architecture. Travelers can take a stroll down the historical Promenade du Peyrou to sample some French cheese in the market before a visit to the Cathedral. Art enthusiasts should also pay a visit to the Musée Fabre to observe its exquisite art from the 15th century.
8. Melaka, Malaysia: Known as the historical state of Malaysia, Melaka is rich with heritage buildings and ancient landmarks. Travelers can take in the cool street art that covers the city with a stroll down Jonker Walk while enjoying local boutiques, small museums, and restaurants serving local Nyonya cuisine, which can be tantalizingly spicy but a delight for the tastebuds.

Embracing the unpredictable

• People will use technology to embrace travel's continued unpredictability
• 64% of travelers agree that technology will be more important than ever while on vacation

After travel was disrupted by the pandemic, 2022 will see travelers embracing the unexpected, with many relying on technology to do so. According to Booking.com research, 63% of travelers believe technology is important for controlling health risks when traveling, with 62% agreeing that technology helps to alleviate their travel anxiety.

People (69%) would be interested in an innovative service that could predict which countries will be safe to visit even months in advance, or could automatically suggest destinations that are easy to travel to now based on their country’s and the destination’s current COVID-19 requirements (67%).