Key Takeaways
- 72% of US-based travelers focused on domestic trips, with Las Vegas, New York, and Orlando topping the list.
- Canadian cities like Vancouver, Toronto, and Montréal experienced substantial growth in bookings compared to the previous year.
- Post-pandemic, travelers embrace spontaneity, opting for shorter breaks of two to four days, and utilizing flexible work patterns.
Barcelona, Spain–eDreams Odigeo, an international flight and hotel booking platform, published its annual Year in Travel 2022 report on October 2. The report analyses consumer search and booking data for the past year and indicates the possible future of global travel.
According to the report, 72% of the travel agency’s customers (US-based) traveled within the country compared to 28% journeying to the rest of the world.
American travelers searched most for domestic travel destinations, with Las Vegas, New York, and Orlando topping the list, followed by London, Los Angeles, Miami, and Paris.
“The top 3 growth destinations for Americans in 2022 compared to the previous year were Canada, primarily Vancouver (+1092% bookings), Toronto (+574% bookings), and Montréal (+303% bookings),” the report noted, adding that it was important to bear in mind that these growth figures are atypical in that they reflect a return to travel following the disruptions of previous years.
Shifts in Travel Behavior Post-Pandemic
The report discovered that travelers are more inclined to take spontaneous, short (between two and four days) breaks since the pandemic, utilizing the new flexible work patterns that allow people to carry their work with them.
“Our findings also reveal that travelers have been spontaneous with their bookings, with nearly half (45%) taking place just 15 days before departure or less,” said Dana Dunne, CEO of eDreams ODIGEO, in a press release. “This underpins consumers’ desire to seize the day after being restricted on their travel plans for so long.”
Predictions for 2023 Travel
The report predicts that Europe will be a popular destination for travel in 2023. Paris, Barcelona, and Madrid were the most booked destinations (for 2023) on the platform, while London, Paris, Rome, Frankfurt, Barcelona, and Lisbon were among the most searched-for destinations.
“The jam-packed sporting calendar coupled with the coronation next year is the perfect recipe for further growth to key European destinations in 2023, such as London and Paris,” Dune added in the release. “As people look to put the pandemic in their rear-view mirror, we expect the travel resurgence to continue in 2023.”
What We Think
The travel landscape’s shift towards domestic exploration mirrors a cautious return to travel post-pandemic.
The rise in spontaneous bookings and shorter trips highlights the adaptability of modern travel habits. Anticipation for European travel in 2023 indicates a resurgence, with cities like Paris, Barcelona, and Madrid in high demand.
As travel patterns evolve, flexibility and adaptability will remain key for both travelers and the industry to navigate the ongoing uncertainties of a post-pandemic world.
