Summer travel trends 2022
With skyrocketing prices and another Covid surge underway, 11 industry experts share what travellers can expect for the first ‘normal’ summer holidays in three years.
Lost luggage, curveball variants, skyrocketing prices – the travel industry’s path to recovery has encountered its fair share of turbulence in 2022. As we gear up for the first ‘normal’ summer holiday in almost three years, Travel + Luxury asks industry heavyweights across aviation, hotels, cruises and more to peer into their crystal ball and reveal what travellers can expect for the festive season ahead.
Covid hasn’t dampened our appetite for travel
“Summer holidays are back. Despite concerns about another Covid wave, the appetite to travel is still strong. There is no reason to be changing holiday plans but rather be sensible and make sure your vaccinations are up to speed. Domestic travel, especially to regional parts of Australia, has been booming in recent months. We’re expecting a busy period for our airports around the country, though they are well-prepared.” — Margy Osmond, chief executive, Tourism & Transport Forum Australia.
Top tip: “Consider a staycation within your own city,” says Osmond. “Our research shows Australia’s CBDs are bouncing back to pre-pandemic levels for visitors, thanks to our thriving arts and cultural sectors.”
Coastal hot spots will be busier than ever
“We have seen great demand for the coming domestic summer. In Australia, all of the popular destinations up the NSW north coast and Southeast Queensland are booming. The Whitsundays is also doing well, and there’s a lot of demand for South Australia.” — Andrew Burnes, chief executive and managing director, Helloworld Travel.
Hinterland holiday rentals are surging in popularity
“Beachside destinations are still popular, however, we’re also seeing hinterland locations increase in popularity as guests look to get away from crowds this year. This is particularly prevalent in the Mornington Peninsula and Byron Bay, where the winery and hinterland properties have been as popular as those close to the beach and towns.” — Alexandra Ormerod, co-founder and managing director, Luxico.
Top tip: “Pre-arrange your food and drinks. There’s nothing less relaxing than spending the first two hours of your holiday in a busy supermarket,” says Ormerod. “Jump online to arrange for your groceries and drinks to be delivered around the time you expect to arrive. If booking a Luxico home, your concierge will even unpack these for you, so you jump straight into the pool without the annoyance of any domestic admin.”
International travel is on the agenda
“We’re set for a bumper holiday season. Bali is a consistent favourite and is once again the top international destination, followed by London, Los Angeles and Singapore, based on December flight interest on Expedia. Our data shows the rates of flight cancellations and delays have improved steadily over recent months. Airlines are adjusting routes and schedules to provide more seamless service, and this trend is expected to continue in a positive direction for travellers.” — Daniel Finch, senior director, Expedia Brands.
Top tip: “Don’t be deterred if you don’t immediately find the flight you need,” says Finch. “Airlines are continually increasing and adjusting their capacity according to demand, so it’s worth keeping an eye on airfares as more flights may be added.”
Airlines are recommencing services to meet demand
“Bookings are tracking significantly higher than 2019. In preparation, we are focused on getting travellers to the places they really want to go, so we’re recommencing services such as Adelaide-Hobart and Cairns-Perth in December. Preparations to ensure operations run as smoothly as possible have been underway for months now, so while most businesses are beginning to wind down for the year, our team is well and truly gearing up.” — Jayne Hrdlicka, chief executive, Virgin Australia.
Top tip: “Get everything organised in advance,” says Hrdlicka. “Think about how much baggage you may need and select your favourite seat. Then, when it comes time to fly, check-in in advance and give yourself a bit of extra time at the airport to reduce the stress and pressure.”
International visitors are back
“This is the first summer international guests have had the chance to visit Australia since 2019, and we can’t wait to welcome them back. With global airline capacity still rebuilding, we won’t see as many travellers visiting our shores as we did in the summer of 2019, but it is a significant step forward as we rebuild our visitor economy.” — Phillipa Harrison, managing director, Tourism Australia.
Cruise passengers are staying closer to home
“Cruising is making a strong comeback, with more than 40 ships scheduled to visit Australia between now and the end of April. A lot of Australians are opting to stay close to home and take shorter journeys. Queensland, New Zealand and the South Pacific are still getting lots of attention, along with new itineraries in Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.” — Joel Katz, managing director Australasia, Cruise Lines International Association.
We’re making the most of unused leave
“We are noticing an increase in the blending of leisure and business travel as people are extending their trips to enjoy destinations with their families and staying for longer. There is a noticeable increase in group bookings as families and friends come together to connect again.” — Sarah Derry, chief executive, Accor Pacific.
Hotels are ready to meet demand
“Things are looking very optimistic on all fronts. Post-pandemic, we combated labour shortages which made the teams across the industry incredibly resilient. We are hoping to see a lot of young talent from our hotels in Europe and North Americas take advantage of the Aussie summer through the Work and Travel visa [and] we are working with the government to accelerate the holiday visa process which will complement our teams currently on the ground in handling summer demand. ” — Sean Hunt, area vice-president Australia, New Zealand & Pacific, Marriott International.