What’s in and what’s out for 2022 travel? The world’s most experienced travellers shared their insights and expectations for destination preferences, modes of transportation, and decision-making criteria in the Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey.
In a nearly unanimous response, domestic travel is “IN” but travellers are closely split when it comes to international travel. Fifty-eight per cent of survey-takers say international travel is “OUT” while 42% say foreign trips are “IN.”
Despite the split in opinion, traveller confidence is surging. TSA data indicates traveller levels have returned to 85% of their pre-pandemic levels. According to the 2021 Fall Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey, nearly 86% of travellers have taken domestic trips, and 42% have travelled internationally since the pandemic started a year a half ago.
Air and automobile travel are considered “IN” but large ship cruises are overwhelming “OUT.” One survey-taker said, “cruises are still out, except for smaller river cruises”
Travellers are basing their destinations on new, pandemic-related criteria. Locations with low-COVID-19 infection rates are, understandably, preferred over regions with high-COVID-19 infection incidents. “Countries and states with good, clear COVID-19 management, vaccination protocols and medical response plans are IN. Avoiding states and countries where COVID-19 education and vaccinations responses have lagged are OUT,” said one respondent.
On another level, travellers are seeking uncrowded, remote or outdoor places to go. Historically, popular destinations are still in play if the COVID-19 rates are low [CDC COVID-19 Tracker]. Metropolitan areas in popular countries are generally “OUT” but cities with open spaces or located in less frequented areas are thought to be a viable option. “Out are large cities with no exposure to outdoor recreation,” said another respondent.
Travellers are expecting to plan trips to more remote destinations, especially if it’s outside. But most are careful to point out that remote destinations are “OUT” if the local medical facilities are non-existent or insufficient to provide care for complicated injuries or illnesses, like COVID-19. “I would feel safe travelling internationally if I travelled to a country with modern medical facilities, a low COVID-19 rate, and available hospital beds if I had a medical problem while travelling,” said a respondent.
