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In the face of new COVID variants, the war in Ukraine, high jet fuel prices and the west’s rising cost of living, travel is continuing to prove its resilience. Travel is firmly back on the agenda for 2022, despite the continued pandemic and the emergence of new challenges. While we predict a full recovery won’t happen until 2023-24, there’s positive momentum in many parts of the world. Long haul is coming back, people are prioritising their spend on travel and booking longer trips. City breaks are also making a triumphant return. The preference today is booking short haul and searching long haul, a result of testing and quarantine requirements in some destinations. When those requirements are removed, we’re seeing leisure demand rebound very quickly. Aviation is still some way from a full recovery, but market conditions are leading to important shifts that will ultimately benefit travellers. These include:
• The streamlining of fleets by retiring older aircraft and introducing newer, more fuel-efficient models.
• New direct domestic and international routes connecting travellers with parts of the world only previously reachable via a one- or multi-stop journey.
• New airlines entering the market, including a focus on low-cost long haul.
In the previous Horizons report of October 2021, it revealed how low prices, free cancellation and greater ticket flexibility provided the biggest incentives for travellers to book a flight. These factors remain true through 2022. What’s resoundingly clear today – and showcased in this report – is that travellers are eager to get back out there, discover new experiences and create more memories.
International travel demand continues to grow
Although 2022 is presenting a number of global and regional challenges – the war in Ukraine, the Omicron variant, the rising cost of living and hikes in jet fuel prices
– demand for international travel, after taking a small dip in February, is increasing.
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