Canadians, Americans and other consumers are looking forward to more trips than last year and planning to spend more or the same on travel in 2022 compared to a typical pre-pandemic year, according to a new American Express study.
The American Express Travel: 2022 Global Travel Trends Report, based on data from the United States, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Japan, India and the United Kingdom, reveals consumers are traveling to see the people and places they love, celebrate important life events, embark on wish list trips, experience in-person events, and to seek greater wellness and self-care.
In Q4 2021, global Card Member bookings made through American Express Travel were up 24% compared to 2019 and have continued to strengthen in 2022.
“The pandemic has made all of us, including travelers, assess what is truly important,” said Audrey Hendley, President of American Express Travel. “The Global Travel Trends Report shows that tourists are making up for lost time and being thoughtful about who they travel with, the places they visit, the brands they support, and how they spend their money as the travel industry moves forward.”
Top insights from the American Express Travel: 2022 Global Travel Trends Report include:
- The world is ready to travel: 74% of respondents agree they are willing to book a trip for 2022 even if they might have to cancel or modify it later1. This is up from 56% last year2.
- Spending on travel is outpacing pre-pandemic levels : 86% of consumers expect to spend more or the same on travel in 2022 compared to a typical pre-pandemic year1.
- Tourists want to travel more frequently: 62% of respondents plan on taking 2-4 trips in 2022 and 76% of respondents agree they plan to travel more with family in 2022 than they did in 2021. For Canada, 69% of those surveyed said they plan to travel more with family this year than they did last year.
A family at the beach. NATALYA ZARITSKAYA/UNSPLASH PHOTO
- Tourists are seeking out brands that prioritize supporting local communities: 81% of respondents want to visit destinations where they can immerse themselves in the local culture and want the money they spend while traveling to go back to the local community.
- Dream destinations are becoming a reality: 55% of respondents want to book a once-in-a-lifetime vacation this year; especially true for Millennials (67%) and Gen Z (65%).
- As entertainment returns so do trips tied to in-person events: 56% of respondents stated they held off on traveling for major entertainment events last year but have plans to return to these types of events this year.
The report singled out several top place for holidays this year, including Alberta.
“Set on 700 acres wrapped around Lac Beauvert, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge has an on-site Sustainability Manager who leads efforts to reduce the Lodge’s environmental footprint, such as coordinating annual property and shoreline cleanups, as well as leading the property towards eliminating all guest-facing single-use plastic items by the end of 2022.”
