TORONTO — G Adventures has unveiled the top 10 trends for 2022, noting the changing habits of travellers as a result of the global pandemic.

Assisted by its panel of travellers and pulling data from two 2021 surveys of more than 1,600 Canadian consumers, the tour operator has identified patterns in how people want to travel and where they want to go, coupling them with new trip highlights launching this year.

Says Bruce Poon Tip, founder of G Adventures: “The pandemic has woken travellers up and given them a chance to reflect on how they were travelling before. The data tells us people have become more purposeful and intentional about how and why they are travelling and where they are going, and they are recognizing the positive impact travel can have on local communities when decisions are made wisely.”

He adds: “These rends point towards a seismic shift in travellers’ habits. It only takes a small number of people to make a huge difference, and travellers are finally seeing how smart choices can positively benefit local people and deliver a richer travel experience at the same time.”

G Adventures’ top 10 predictions for 2022 travel – along with suggested itineraries – are as follows:

1. Community tourism is the solution to responsible travel. According to the company’s latest panel research, 28% of respondents say they will place more focus on travelling responsibly in 2022. travellers are looking for adventures that support community tourism, and trails are a great way for tourists to spread wealth throughout multiple smaller villages.G Adventures’ 12-day Highlights of the Trans Bhutan Trail is an Active trip travelling from Paro return, priced from $5,199 per person for departures from May 1, 2022. In April this year, following two years of extensive restoration, the Kingdom of Bhutan will reopen its history Trans Bhutan Trail for the first time in 60 years, supporting remote communities through community tourism. G Adventures is the first operator to run tours on this ancient trail.
2. Travellers care more about supporting local people. The most important factor for Canadians when they travel is that their money benefits local people (67%), coming in well ahead of other considerations like minimizing one’s carbon footprint and reducing plastic consumption (both 15% globally).The 14-day Highlights of Egypt travels from Cairo return and is priced from $2,149 per person. Egypt’s tourism industry was devastated by the Arab Spring and again by the pandemic, but it was one of the first to reopen to tourism this year. G Adventures resumed operations in Egypt in February 2021, and this year the country has increased its share of bookings by 22% globally.
3. ‘Workations’ increase in popularity. ‘Workations’ have hit the mainstream, with 20% of survey respondents saying they are able to ‘work from anywhere.’ That number rises to 46% for those aged 18-34. Thirty percent of respondents plan to combine work with travel, up from 18% in December 2020.The six-day Costa Rica: Beaches, Wildlife and Wild Times from Liberia to Tamarindo is priced from $699 per person. One of only four countries to lift all restrictions for travel according to the UNWTO, Costa Rica has positioned itself as fully open to travel. It passed a bill to allow remote workers and digital nomads to stay for up to one year. To support this trend, G Adventures partnered with Hostelworld to launch the ‘Roamies’ program of tours in late-2021, an ideal way for people to discover a destination while at the same time work remotely.
4. Hostels will make a big comeback. The need for social connection among young travellers is stronger than ever, with 63% of respondents aged 18-34 saying they are likely to try a hostel experience following the pandemic.The new six-day Yucatan Adventure: Merida, Tulum & Jungle Swims travels from Mérida to Tulum and is priced from $749 per person. As a “Roamies’ trip, it’s designed to maximize social connection and build community, both in the handpicked hostels and on the road.
5. Travellers want to disconnect from their devices. Workations aside, travellers are desperate to disconnect from the online world while on holiday, with 55% of Canadians saying they want to take time out from their devices and social media, and 23% saying socializing is their top wellbeing priority when booking their next holiday.While on the 10-day Galapagos – Central and East Islands trip, which travels from Quito return and is priced from $8,699 per person, guests will see the debut of G Adventures’ newbuild boat, the Reina Silvia Voyager. Accommodating 16 passengers, it features two solo cabins and has been purpose-built for small-group touring. Guests will also be the first to visit a new G for Good project: Galapagos Coffee in Puerto Ayora, a community-owned organic coffee farm educating visitors about sustainable coffee production while providing income for 59 local families.
6. Travellers will have a bit more cash to splash. Twenty per cent of respondents said they had increased their travel budget for their next international holiday.The 12-day National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures – Iconic Japan from Tokyo to Kyoto is priced from $7,199 per person. Although Japan remains closed, there is pent-up demand, fuelled by the summer 2021 Olympics.
7. The staycation is over – travellers want to go further afield. Only 15% of Canadians said they would prefer to stay closer to home as opposed to heading further afield on their next international holiday. Plus, 32% said they were less likely to take a ‘staycation’ in 2022.The 10-day Highlights of Uzbekistan from Tashkent return is priced from $1,979 per person. Considered a rising star pre-pandemic, Uzbekistan has increased its share of sales by 24%. Last year marked the country’s 30^th anniversary of independence from the Soviet Union as well as the opening of a new airport in Samarkand. This year, the country will see the opening of the Silk Road Samarkand Complex, which will host the inaugural Silk Road Literary Festival.
8. Lockdown life has led to a desire to be more active. Seventy-two per cent of those surveyed want to be physically active on their next holiday, while 66% said their physical and mental wellbeing is a top consideration.The 14-day Zion to San Francisco Adventure from Las Vegas to San Francisco is priced from $5,299 per person. According to G Adventures, the United States increased its share of bookings for 2022 by 58% when compared to pre-pandemic booking levels, leading the company to launch a new program of United States of Adventures trip.
9. Travellers are prioritizing their wellbeing and mental health. An overwhelming 94% of travellers say that travel is important to their wellbeing and mental health.The nine-day Wellness Bali trip from Ubud to Sanur, priced from $2,149 per person, is full of rest, relaxation and revitalization moments. Highlights include an organic cooking class and healing ceremony in Tabanan. According to G, Indonesia has been dormant for the duration of the pandemic but there will be a “ton of pent-up demand when it reopens.”
10. Revenge travel is out, reconnection travel is in. Although the term ‘revenge travel’ (the urge to travel to make up for lost time in lockdown) gained popularity over the course of the pandemic, reconnection travel is the top reason for travelling at 41%. Revenge travel came in at just 9%.The six-day Trekking Eastern Iceland trip from Egilsstaoir return is priced from $2,399 per person. Identified as a high pandemic performer, Iceland’s bookings are up 317% globally for 2022. This Active trip allows travellers to connect with the local community on hikes, walks and visits to local businesses, and is also led by the owner of the guesthouse.

For more information go to www.gadventures.com.