Peer-to-peer rental company RVshare revealed findings from its 2022 Travel Trend Report, predicting that next year will be a blockbuster year for travel as nearly all (90 percent) of survey respondents say they’re very or even 100 percent likely to travel for leisure next year.
According to the survey, Americans’ desire to travel to clear their minds, escape, enjoy wide open roads and discover new places has increased since 2020. Additionally, 2022 ushers in a new age of travel as flexible work becomes a permanent lifestyle for many Americans. This shift will have long term effects on the way people travel and approach trip planning in the next year and beyond.
The report was produced by RVshare and Wakefield Research following a comprehensive analysis of consumer sentiment, travel behaviors and internal booking data to identify the top travel trends of 2022.
“As the global travel industry makes its return, we focused our research on more deeply understanding and assessing the emerging motivators and desires of today’s travelers,” said RVshare’s CEO Jon Gray. “Our findings are encouraging and reflect the ongoing evolution of the travel industry, proving that desire to hit the road has never been stronger. While 2020 and 2021 may have been a time of discovery for many when it comes to RV travel, the category is growing in demand as more and more people find RV and motorhome accommodations appealing for a number of priorities and reasons.”
Road Tripping is On the Rise: RV Style
After over a year of pandemic-related travel restrictions, Americans are eager to get back out and travel again, and RV travel is on people’s minds, specifically Millennials and Gen Xers. Nearly half of likely 2022 travelers plan on taking a road trip or vacation in an RV in the next 12 months. Travelers are interested in making long road trips more exciting; experiencing nature while reconnecting with travel partners; and clearing their minds to escape, explore and discover new places.
Flexible Work, Flexible Travel: The New Normal
Many Americans took advantage of the option to work while traveling in 2021, capitalizing on the opportunity to book and plan more spontaneous and longer trips due to more flexible working environments. The “work from anywhere” trend will continue to be a hot topic, with more than three-quarters of respondents indicating that their ability to work remotely will be a “key consideration” in how they travel in 2022.
Bringing ‘Home’ On the Go: Family Travel
Family travel is projected to remain an important factor when choosing how and where to vacation in 2022. More than half of likely 2022 travelers are looking to spend quality time with family or explore and discover new places next year, both of which have increased in appeal since 2020. Family-focused destinations such as the campground at Disney Fort Wilderness Resort, for example, are continuously among the top destinations for RVshare customers.
National Parks as Popular as Ever
While many Americans visited National Parks in 2021, they continue to top travelers’ lists when thinking about future trips in 2022. And, the majority of travelers surveyed would likely choose RV accommodations for trips to National Parks.
Event Experiences Evolve
As travelers become more and more familiar with RVs, they are increasingly using motorhomes and trailers in creative and unique ways. RVshare provides consumers with the option to have vehicles delivered to a destination, which nearly one-third of renters took advantage of in 2021. And with the reopening of sporting, music and culinary festival events taking place in 2022, demand for RVs is projected to rise. Over half of respondents said they’re very or even 100 percent likely to choose an RV over other accommodations when attending a music, food or other multi-day festival event, including a sporting event or game.