After two years of Covid-19 lockdowns, travel came roaring back in 2022.
This summer, for the first time since the pandemic began, leisure and business travel surpassed 2019 levels. The travel and tourism industry is forecast to reach $716.8 billion by the end of the year, up 45% from 2021.
Take a look at some of the travel industry trends that defined 2022!
1. A surge in international travel
International tourist arrivals almost tripled in January to July 2022 (+172%) compared to the same period of 2021.
With the easing or lifting of travel restrictions in popular destinations around the world kicking off this spring, the international travel sector recovering almost 60% of pre-pandemic levels in 2022 is not a surprise. However, the surge resulting from almost two years of pent-up demand led to challenges to keep up at airports worldwide, due in large part to labor shortages.
Will the travel boom continue? There are indicators that travelers are starting to balk at climbing airplane ticket prices, and air fares are estimated to increase by 8% in 2023. It is likely that 2023 travelers will be more budget-conscious, opting for domestic travel and staycation over more pricey international trips.
In any case, property managers would be well-served to integrate with the best Channel Manager platform on the market in order to maximize visibility among would-be travelers.
2. Increased desire for sustainable travel and accommodations
According to Booking.com’s Sustainable Travel Report 2022, 71% of global travelers said they wanted to travel more sustainably in 2022 – a 10% increase over the company’s 2021 data.
Of the travelers surveyed, 38% said that they actively look for information on the sustainability efforts of a property before they book and 41% said they chose their stay in the interest of helping to reduce their impact on the environment.
This bears out in a recent Conde Nast Traveler summit that was largely focused on the rise in interest for sustainable and responsible travel, with people wanting to know exactly where their tourism dollars are going.
As Gen Z leads the way in demanding climate action – and with the sustainable tourism market expected to exhibit a compound annual growth rate of 23.4% by 2032 – this is a trend we should continue to see into 2023 and beyond.
For properties looking to appeal to specific audience segments, eviivo’s Promo Manager is here. The tool allows property managers to run exclusive promotions that appeal to travelers with specific preferences, such as sustainable offerings.
3. A step up for travel tech
The pandemic may have jump-started an age of digital transformation for the travel and tourism industry with a noticeable shift to more automated, cloud-based, mobile-first and cashless experiences – but 2022 cemented the necessity of these adoptions for the sector.
In a recent survey from Skift and AWS, more than 43 percent of travel executives said that having a more flexible or agile business is the biggest benefit of cloud-based software and technology solutions. This group also reported that offering always-on, automated communications options – such as online chatbots and around-the-clock contact centers – was a key factor in offering better customer service to guests.
Automation is key for properties that want to modernize and save big by limiting unnecessary staff hours. Discover the benefits of eviivo Mobile – our award-winning PMS system in the palm of your hand!
4. High demand for self-service
Global travelers and hoteliers have spoken – they want more self-service options.
In a 2022 report from Skift and Oracle, 73% of people said they prefer a hotel with technology that allows them to manage their entire experience through their phones: such as check-in and check-out, payment and food ordering.
Meanwhile, 65% of hoteliers said that self-service will be the objective of their technology strategy moving forward. 96% will do so through contactless tech and 54% will prioritize tech that will either improve or completely eliminate front desks by 2025.
eviivo is proud to integrate with countless cutting-edge technology partners that simplify the property management business and create a superior experience for guests.
5. Renewed focus on work-life balance
One of the biggest trends accelerated by the pandemic – and that also deepened in 2022 – has been the mass reconsideration of the future of work.
The Great Resignation and a continued desire among workers to find fully remote jobs, even as pandemic lockdowns have ended in many countries, show that a higher prioritization of work-life balance is unlikely to wane as a trend for 2023.
In an April 2022 survey report from eviivo and SurveyMonkey, 91% of property owners and boutique hoteliers in independent accommodations and short-term rentals said a mobile app is “extremely important” to run and manage their business.
When hosts can manage guest reservations from anywhere, anytime, they can enjoy more flexibility and freedom, improved convenience and a higher quality of life.
No one put it better than eviivo’s own CTO, Eric White: “Technology is used to make our lives better (millennials know that especially) and it’s become standard in our industry, so it’s imperative to have tech that improves your quality of life and business. After all, we live in an era of ‘instant gratification,’ and mobility is the future since it brings that convenience we all seek.”