The travel industry is constantly changing, especially since the pandemic began in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic turned the travel and tourism industry upside down in the United States. Suddenly, air travel ceased, businesses limited operations, and local governments implemented travel restrictions or bans, forcing lodging owners to improvise on how to keep their businesses alive. Luckily, travel is now trending up, but not without some new travel industry trends. Here are the travel industry trends that you need to be on the lookout for in 2022!
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5 of the Most Important Travel Industry Trends
1. Emphasis Direct Booking
Travelers are always searching for ways to save money. However, few people know that you can save up to 15% on your reservation by booking direct. This way, travelers save on hidden, third-party fees often associated with online travel agencies (OTAs). You may be wondering about the best way to promote booking direct for your business. Here are six tips to increase direct bookings on your website!
2. Flexible Cancellation Policies
While the travel industry is turning a corner amid the pandemic, we’re still seeing some COVID-19-related travel roadblocks. The biggest one is the unpredictability and contagiousness of the virus. No one wants to book a trip, come down with COVID at the last minute, then not get any money back. That’s why we recommend offering a flexible cancellation policy or travel insurance for 2022 guests!
3. Work from Home Is Here to Stay
Since 2020, many companies have gone fully remote or adopted a hybrid office policy. With more people working from home now than ever before, “workcations” are at an all-time high. That means you need to market your lodging to business travelers. Before you begin, it’s important to understand your market, acknowledge challenges, and understand what business travelers want.
4. Domestic Travel is At an All-Time High
Due to travel restrictions and guidelines, more people are choosing to travel domestically versus internationally. There’s never been a better time to dip into your local and surrounding markets for stays. We recommend creating a segmented email list for local markets, as it appeals to staycationers who once wouldn’t have considered vacationing in their own backyard.
5. Digitalized Your Payment and Check-In
In the digital age, consumers expect contactless purchases – even when they travel. That’s why we recommend using a fast, user-friendly booking engine. A seamless booking process is the first step in an unforgettable vacation! We also recommend offering contactless check-in and check-out.
Get Your Marketing on Track in 2022
Now that you know the top travel industry trends of 2022, it’s time to set yourself up for success! We understand that keeping with industry trends can be difficult on top of owning and operating a business, though. That’s where Q4Launch comes in! Our team of expert marketers are here to ensure your hotel, B&B, or vacation rental company is set up for success in 2022. Contact us to learn more!