Amadeus travel survey for 2022 shows strong trends in technology, ecotourism
Janeen Christoff, TravelPulse
As the pandemic subsides, new trends have been revealed. There has been much speculation about how travel would emerge but now there is data from travel technology company Amadeus to confirm the suspicions.
“As the travel sector recovers, we are seeing some truly exciting trends emerge that will shape the industry,” said Dan Batchelor, vice president, global corporate communications and social responsibility for Amadeus. “Imagine a world where you finish watching an amazing Netflix series and your smart speaker immediately recommends a trip to visit those locations in real life. That technology is available now.
“Not only are the new industry technologies exciting, but they also give us the power to travel in a sustainable way, revolutionize the way we travel for business, and travel long distances in lightning-quick time,” Batchelor said. “Supersonic flights are going to happen, almost two decades after Concorde dropped its nose for the final time. It is an incredibly exciting time for the industry.”
The Amadeus 2022 Travel Trends survey identified six new developments that are shaping the future of the travel market.
According to Amadeus, travelers are looking to “savoring the now,” embracing the trip of a lifetime. Bucket-list destinations such as Machu Picchu are trending with flights to the Peruvian cities of Lima and Cusco up by nearly 50 percent.
Travelers are also looking to take a “Friendcation.” After a couple of years apart, 2022 will be all about large and small reunion trips. Group bookings have increased by 83% since last Fall according to Amadeus Demand360(R).
Active Ecotourism is another trend that has emerged following the pandemic. Travelers are interested in taking action, with a growing demand for trips supporting diverse global communities, according to Amadeus’ data.
Thirty-seven percent of respondents said that opportunities for travelers to be involved in the preservation of tourist destinations will help the industry to become more sustainable in the long term.
Business travel is ready to make its comeback in 2022 with new technology ushering in expense-free mobile travel payments. Seventy-two percent of business travelers are eager to travel in the next year.
Amadeus also identified “Wanderlust Streaming” as a new trend with travelers looking to visit places based on their viewing habits. For example, Amadeus found that tourism in Porthgwarra, Cornwall, increased as much as 50%, according to Visit Cornwall, as a result of the TV show Poldark.
The future of travel is also embracing the futuristic. Interest is piquing for high-tech, lightning-quick travel options such as supersonic flight and hyperloop technology.
Amadeus travel survey for 2022 shows strong trends in technology, ecotourism
Spencer Platt
The city is expected to be the top winter holiday destination, according to surveys from a wide range of travel companies—thanks, in part, to the fact that the lights are (finally) back on Broadway. Expect a busy Christmas season, and little room for social distancing.
Who’s going: The U.K. (18% of visitors), Canada (6%) and Mexico (5%) are the top three inbound markets.
Good to know: Rockefeller Center, once visited by tourists just for its big Christmas tree and skating rink, is now doubling as one of the most exciting restaurant neighborhoods — a change few locals saw coming.
Spencer Platt
The city is expected to be the top winter holiday destination, according to surveys from a wide range of travel companies—thanks, in part, to the fact that the lights are (finally) back on Broadway. Expect a busy Christmas season, and little room for social distancing.
Who’s going: The U.K. (18% of visitors), Canada (6%) and Mexico (5%) are the top three inbound markets.
Good to know: Rockefeller Center, once visited by tourists just for its big Christmas tree and skating rink, is now doubling as one of the most exciting restaurant neighborhoods — a change few locals saw coming.
Amadeus travel survey for 2022 shows strong trends in technology, ecotourism
Pixabay
Some would say the Magic City looked a little too Miami Vice throughout the pandemic; the city was one of the most popular places for Americans to decamp from cold winters amid lockdowns, and it took on increased popularity for its relative normalcy, even when case counts were dire. Next month brings Art Basel and all its related social events—likely the perfect opportunity to pretend the pandemic never happened at all.
Who’s going: Argentina (14%), the U.K. (10%) and Brazil (8%) are the top three inbound markets.
Good to know: The city has seen more marquee restaurant openings than practically any other in the world—largely imports of big names from around the world. But if you’re unsure about indoor Covid safety, the newly popular Fever app and website lists open-air events and activities like candlelight concerts or “flyboarding” with water-powered jet packs that send you hovering over the ocean.
Pixabay
Some would say the Magic City looked a little too Miami Vice throughout the pandemic; the city was one of the most popular places for Americans to decamp from cold winters amid lockdowns, and it took on increased popularity for its relative normalcy, even when case counts were dire. Next month brings Art Basel and all its related social events—likely the perfect opportunity to pretend the pandemic never happened at all.
Who’s going: Argentina (14%), the U.K. (10%) and Brazil (8%) are the top three inbound markets.
Good to know: The city has seen more marquee restaurant openings than practically any other in the world—largely imports of big names from around the world. But if you’re unsure about indoor Covid safety, the newly popular Fever app and website lists open-air events and activities like candlelight concerts or “flyboarding” with water-powered jet packs that send you hovering over the ocean.
Amadeus travel survey for 2022 shows strong trends in technology, ecotourism
Pixabay
With Walt Disney World celebrating its 50th anniversary, the parks are in full swing. Our guide to its little-known luxury services brings out the real Disney magic.
Who’s going: The U.K. (46%), Brazil (10%) and Canada (8%) are the top three inbound markets.
Good to know: The Swan Reserve hotel has just opened its doors inside Walt Disney World, making it possibly the fanciest place to stay in the parks. It has six pools and 22 restaurants, including an outpost of New York favorite Il Mulino; because it’s part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, you can also book it with points.
Pixabay
With Walt Disney World celebrating its 50th anniversary, the parks are in full swing. Our guide to its little-known luxury services brings out the real Disney magic.
Who’s going: The U.K. (46%), Brazil (10%) and Canada (8%) are the top three inbound markets.
Good to know: The Swan Reserve hotel has just opened its doors inside Walt Disney World, making it possibly the fanciest place to stay in the parks. It has six pools and 22 restaurants, including an outpost of New York favorite Il Mulino; because it’s part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, you can also book it with points.
Amadeus travel survey for 2022 shows strong trends in technology, ecotourism
Pixabay
A nearly $40 million L.A. Arts Recovery Fund led by the J. Paul Getty trust is working to get hard-hit institutions back on their feet, though it also helps that iconic venues like the Hollywood Bowl are once again running at 100% occupancy. A projected $1 billion in tourism revenues for November and December 2021 will help. Getting here is proving expensive; data from Hopper shows that flights to L.A. are 33% costlier than in 2019, while average U.S. airfares are down 7%, compared to 2019 prices.
Who’s going: Mexico (15%), Canada (9%) and the U.K. (8%) are the top three inbound markets.
Good to know: After a series of delays, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures opened on Sept. 30. The $482 million museum complex, designed by Renzo Piano and located adjacent to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (Lacma), is filled with iconic costumes and props from films such as The Wizard of Oz and E.T.; there’s also a temporary exhibition on view featuring the works of legendary Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki.
Pixabay
A nearly $40 million L.A. Arts Recovery Fund led by the J. Paul Getty trust is working to get hard-hit institutions back on their feet, though it also helps that iconic venues like the Hollywood Bowl are once again running at 100% occupancy. A projected $1 billion in tourism revenues for November and December 2021 will help. Getting here is proving expensive; data from Hopper shows that flights to L.A. are 33% costlier than in 2019, while average U.S. airfares are down 7%, compared to 2019 prices.
Who’s going: Mexico (15%), Canada (9%) and the U.K. (8%) are the top three inbound markets.
Good to know: After a series of delays, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures opened on Sept. 30. The $482 million museum complex, designed by Renzo Piano and located adjacent to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (Lacma), is filled with iconic costumes and props from films such as The Wizard of Oz and E.T.; there’s also a temporary exhibition on view featuring the works of legendary Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki.
Amadeus travel survey for 2022 shows strong trends in technology, ecotourism
Pixabay
Municipal programs called Slow Streets and Shared Spaces have helped create a relative abundance of car-free, outdoor public spaces throughout the city—beyond the typical outdoor dining setups—and the tech execs that left during lockdowns have largely returned to find a city that’s investing heavily in outdoor festivals, murals, and al fresco performing arts.
Who’s going: The U.K. (14%), India (10%) and Mexico (9%) are the top three inbound markets.
Good to know: As of October, only 25% of San Francisco workers were back in the office, signaling a slower return to normalcy. That has also applied to restaurants, many of which waited to reopen until summer or fall of this year. Chez Panisse will remain closed through 2022, but most everything else has come back — including a handful of new spots such as Automat, an all-day, bread-centric concept that began as a series of pandemic and kid-friendly pop-ups.
Pixabay
Municipal programs called Slow Streets and Shared Spaces have helped create a relative abundance of car-free, outdoor public spaces throughout the city—beyond the typical outdoor dining setups—and the tech execs that left during lockdowns have largely returned to find a city that’s investing heavily in outdoor festivals, murals, and al fresco performing arts.
Who’s going: The U.K. (14%), India (10%) and Mexico (9%) are the top three inbound markets.
Good to know: As of October, only 25% of San Francisco workers were back in the office, signaling a slower return to normalcy. That has also applied to restaurants, many of which waited to reopen until summer or fall of this year. Chez Panisse will remain closed through 2022, but most everything else has come back — including a handful of new spots such as Automat, an all-day, bread-centric concept that began as a series of pandemic and kid-friendly pop-ups.
Amadeus travel survey for 2022 shows strong trends in technology, ecotourism
Walt Disney Co./Walt Disney Co./TNS
The Disney Genie service arrived at Disney's domestic parks via the My Disney Experience app this fall. Other innovations in the travel industry are predicted for 2022. (Walt Disney Co./TNS)
Walt Disney Co./Walt Disney Co./TNS
The Disney Genie service arrived at Disney's domestic parks via the My Disney Experience app this fall. Other innovations in the travel industry are predicted for 2022. (Walt Disney Co./TNS)
