Inside Culture

A 2022 travel boom

People are ready to go big on their next adventure, but the meaning of escapism has changed

As societies ‘learn to live’ with Omicron, the travel sector is ready to come roaring back. People want to get away – Scotland reported a 150% rise in bookings after restrictions were lifted early in the year, and in the US, 68% of people say they’re planning to ‘go big’ on their next trip. But what does decadence in travel mean after two years of restraint? For some, the pandemic has deepened the desire for slow, eco-aware trips that elevate the journey to be as extraordinary as the destination. Interest in conscious luxury is generating new opportunities, such as the first winery airline and Dolce Vita trains. But for others, pure indulgence trumps mindfulness, whether that’s a quick trip to sun yourself in Ibiza or weekend-long pamper parties. Whereas slow travel is premised on being socially aware, ‘treat yourself’ travel is about hedonism and play – as perfectly captured by Ryanair’s TikTok account, which celebrates ‘doing me’. With escapism on the minds of many, how best to help people plan their next adventure?

61%
of travellers surveyed in 2021 said they planned to spend more on a trip than they usually wouldAmerican Express, 2021
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