5 Travel trends for 2022

Adventure travel has come back with gusto this year. But the Coronavirus pandemic has certainly influenced the way we holiday – from more European destinations and walking holidays, to a greater percentage of solo travellers, and people booking closer to departure date.

With travel back up and running, and a bumper summer on the horizon, we’ve had a look into how our travel habits and preferences have changed since 2019.

Explore's Managing Director, Michael Edwards, said: “adventure travel has come back with such gusto this year. It’s been really interesting digging further into these new bookings, and finding patterns emerging in terms of destinations and types of trips, but also new trends in booking behaviours. The Coronavirus pandemic has certainly influenced the way we holiday – from more European destinations and walking holidays, to a greater percentage of solo travellers, and people booking closer to departure date.”

1. 60% of bookings are now from solo travellers

It’s no secret that small group holidays are ideal for solos - over half of our bookings have been made by solo travellers! With an average group size of 11 people, solos can mingle with likeminded travellers while still enjoying the local community and hands-on experiences. Since all the research and organisation is taken care of, and you’re accompanied by an Explore Leader who knows the destination inside and out, you can simply relax and enjoy the trip!

A person with a blue backpack gazes at large rock formations in a vast, arid desert landscape under a blue sky with scattered clouds, standing near a stone wall.

2. More people are choosing to travel slowly, and by rail

More travellers are opting for longer, more immersive slow travel holidays, exploring at a gentler pace to really get beneath the skin of a destination. Our new London2 rail tours launched earlier this year perfectly encompass this demand for slower, more sustainable travel, with the Marrakesh Express rail tour particularly recreating the romance of exploring by rail. As you settle into the seat of a train, you’ll watch as the landscapes of Europe transform into Africa in beautiful technicolour.

Ornate mosaics decorate columns and walls, featuring intricate geometric patterns. Arched wooden door stands in the background, framed by carved stucco. The setting is a traditional, historical architectural site.

3. Walking holidays are more popular than ever

Exploring on foot is the ultimate slow travel experience, allowing you to get right to the heart of a destination while taking in the scenery along the way. While walking holiday popularity has increased by over half overall, our leisurely grade walking tours and walking holidays in Europe have proven to be the top choices. For those who would like to step it up a gear, we recommend opting for a more challenging mountain summit, or conquering the Inca Trail!

A person walks down a rocky staircase towards a coastal village with colorful buildings, surrounded by hills, and a view of the sea in the background.

4. Last minute adventures are on the rise

We’ve curated our late departure offers after seeing an increased demand for last minute getaways, with even longer haul holidays being booked just weeks out. There are places still available on selected summer tours, from active family adventures in Turkey to scenic cycling along the Dalmatian Coast. If you’re ready to make memories you’ll never forget this summer, get booking now before adventures sell out!

Boats are moored in a harbor beside a row of stone buildings with colorful shutters, under a densely forested hillside, creating a picturesque coastal village scene on a clear day.

5. Epic bucket-list worthy adventures are on the up

After two years of not travelling, it’s no wonder there’s a sense of ‘carpe diem’ among us! We’ve all missed the thrill of getting to know a new destination, embracing different communities and enjoying get-togethers with newfound friends. A traditional Maldives dhoni cruise is at the top of the list for slow travel, thanks to the idyllic islands and turquoise waters you’ll visit along the way, while climbing to the summit of an epic mountain such as Kilimanjaro is on the rise for challenging trips. Meanwhile, safari holidays and polar voyages have proven to be popular choices for those looking to make up for lost time and have an epic adventure in 2022 or beyond.

Elephants walk near a river, beneath a vibrant blue sky dotted with white clouds, surrounded by lush greenery and sparse trees.

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