ABTA’s new report Travel in 2022 predicts holiday trends for the next year, with insights revealed today at the association’s Travel Trends Conference 

ABTA has revealed its travel predictions for 2022, as new research and booking trends from its Members show an increased reliance on package holidays and travel professionals, as well as the emergence of the ‘catch-up consumer’.

According to ABTA’s new report, Travel in 2022, people are 30% more likely to book with a travel professional now than before the pandemic, primarily for their guidance with Coronavirus travel requirements (47%) and the security of a package holiday (46%)ⁱ.

The biggest growth potential is among younger age groups, with two-thirds (66%) of 18-24 year olds saying they’re more likely to book with a travel professional now than before the pandemicⁱⁱ. 

Many ABTA Members have already noticed this changing consumer sentiment translating into enquiries and bookings and are reporting that a greater percentage of their customers are new to them than before the pandemic. Typically, these customers want an expert to guide them through the extra steps they need to take to prepare for their next trip.

In addition, ABTA’s figures also suggest that package holidays will perform well in 2022, with people saying they are 27% more likely to book a package holiday now than before the pandemic, with 39% citing financial protection as the main reason, followed by having everything taken care of for them (37%)ⁱⁱⁱ. 

These trends are expected to go hand in hand with higher than average spend as ‘catch-up consumers’ seek to make up for the trips and experiences they’ve missed out on during the pandemic. 

Almost half (49%) of people say that the limited opportunities to travel because of the pandemic have made their holidays more important to them than before, and almost half (46%) also expect to spend more money on their holidays next year, up from 29% who said the same in 2020^iv. 

Booking trends from ABTA Members point to these ‘catch-up consumers’ treating themselves on their next breaks by upgrading their accommodation, booking longer stays or heading to more expensive destinations altogether. 

While popular destinations for next year include holiday favourites like Spain, the US, France, Italy and Greece, bucket list locations like the Caribbean and the Maldives are rising in popularity too.

The main findings from the Travel in 2022 report were revealed at the association’s Travel Trends Conference today, as part of a full day of insights on the latest industry trends, popular destinations, customer sentiment and marketing strategies to support the continued recovery of travel businesses.

Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of ABTA – The Travel Association said:

“Given the hugely challenging trading conditions over the past couple of years, I’m delighted to see people becoming ever more likely to turn to travel professionals to book their long-awaited holidays. Our Members have worked tirelessly to provide their customers with expert advice and outstanding service, so it’s wonderful to see this hard work being recognised and rewarded.

“There is still a way to go but, with 61% of people saying that they plan to travel abroad in the next year^v, we seem to be at the first stage of a meaningful recovery for the sector.”

Holidaymakers are encouraged to book with confidence through an ABTA Member and check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office travel advice at www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice where they can also sign up to receive email alerts.

More about ABTA’s Travel in 2022 report

1. The catch-up consumer – holidaymakers will make up for the trips they’ve missed out on by upgrading elements of their next holiday or opting for a bucket list destination
2. The new age of the expert – people are more likely to book with a travel professional next year as they seek out expert help and advice with travel requirements
3. Seacations spark a ‘new-to-cruise’ craze – cruises are set to reach new heights of popularity in 2022 due to seacations boosting the new-to-cruise market
4. The package is king – holidaymakers will book more package holidays in the year ahead, for the added protection and peace of mind that comes with this booking
5. Travel for reconnection – holidays that allow us to reconnect with the important people in our lives are expected to be popular next year

The report also includes a spotlight on sustainability which highlights two trends for next year: 

1. Sustainable accommodation goes mainstream – holidaymakers can expect to find more accommodation, of all shapes and sizes, that is operating responsibly next year 
2. Nurturing nature – ‘nature positive’ holidays, which actively benefit local ecosystems and leave the lightest carbon footprint possible, will become more widespread 

Full details of the trends can be found in the report at www.abta.com/travelin2022
 

Notes to editors

ABTA has been a trusted travel brand for over 70 years. Our purpose is to help our Members to grow their businesses successfully and sustainably, and to help their customers travel with confidence. 

The ABTA brand stands for support, protection and expertise. This means consumers have confidence in ABTA and a strong trust in ABTA Members. These qualities are core to us as they ensure that holidaymakers remain confident in the holiday products that they buy from our Members. 

We help our Members and their customers navigate through today's changing travel landscape by raising standards in the industry; offering schemes of financial protection; providing an independent complaints resolution service should something go wrong; giving guidance on issues from sustainability to health and safety and by presenting a united voice to government to ensure the industry and the public get a fair deal.

ABTA has around 4,000 travel brands in Membership, providing a wide range of leisure and business travel services, with a combined annual UK turnover of £39 billion. For more details about what we do, what being an ABTA Member means and how we help the UK public travel with confidence visit www.abta.com. 
 

ⁱABTA consumer sentiment research conducted by The Nursery Research and Planning (www.the-nursery.net/) in October 2021, with a nationally representative sample of 500 consumers.
ⁱⁱABTA consumer sentiment research from October 2021, as above.
ⁱⁱⁱABTA consumer sentiment research from October 2021, as above.
^ivABTA’s Holiday Habits research for 2021 was conducted in the last two weeks of August 2021 by The Nursery Research and Planning (www.the-nursery.net/) with a nationally representative sample of 2,000 consumers using an online research methodology and related to holiday booking habits in the 12 months to July 2021.
^vABTA’s Holiday Habits research for 2021, as above.