Travel Tips for the 2022 Holiday Season

Now that COVID-19 restrictions have eased around the world and more individuals are vaccinated and feeling safer, travel bookings are booming.

The 2022 holiday season will be filled with balmy beach days, family fun, and culture abroad for millions of American travelers. 

In this article, we’re unpacking what this year’s travel plans look like for millions of Americans, top destinations for the holiday season, and plentiful travel insurance tips to keep your vacation well-prepared and worry-free.

Destinations in Demand for Families

Coming out of a long dreary pandemic, people are re-prioritizing their values and putting family first. This means big family vacation plans for the 2022 holiday season to create long-lasting memories.

According to a recent American Express survey, 72% of consumers in the U.S. are planning on traveling more with family this year in 2022 than last year.

Let’s check out some of the trending destinations for families.

Orlando, Florida

One trending family destination is Orlando, popular for its wide variety of theme parks that are enjoyable for all ages. With the recent 2022 opening of the incredible Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and other upcoming post-pandemic attraction openings, Orlando is going to be buzzing this holiday season.

National Parks

National parks like Yosemite and Grand Canyon are excellent destinations for family vacations in the United States. In fact, our national parks are some of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and for good reason.

There are plenty of activities everyone can enjoy, from hiking and horse rides to cave tours and taking in scenic vistas.

Sun and Sand

Beach destinations like Miami, Destin, and Myrtle Beach remain popular hot spots for families, especially during the winter months of the holiday season, when travelers are looking for a fun and relaxing (and warm!) respite from the cold.

Beach vacations, and particularly those with resorts or all-inclusive stays, promise on-site dining, recreation facilities, swimming pools, and even water parks.

Destinations in Demand for International Travelers

In the past two years, most vacations consisted of domestic travel, like road trips, beach vacations, staycations, and camping, but this year, more travelers are going abroad for the holiday season. 

COVID-19 restrictions are easing up around the world and travelers are feeling more comfortable taking trips abroad.

According to the same American Express survey mentioned above, 64% of respondents plan on spending more money on international travel than in the previous year. 

Here are a few of those popular destinations abroad:

Croatia and Iceland

Now that the COVID situation has improved and countries are reopening, Americans are more eager than ever to visit Western Europe.

Countries like Iceland, Greece, and Croatia were among the first to reopen in 2021, and have become high-priority destinations for many travelers. 

These countries have a ton of outdoor appeal, as opposed to pre-pandemic popular countries like France and England, which relied heavily on indoor activities and tourist attractions like museum visits.

Mexico, Costa Rica, Caribbean Islands

COVID-19 aside, many American workers are also feeling burnt out from work and want a relaxing holiday vacation at a beautiful beach. 

Destinations like Mexico, Costa Rica, and the Caribbean islands are quick and easy to get to for many, with plenty of direct flights from all over the United States. They also include the added benefit of offering all-inclusive resort stays, making these locations even more appealing.

These hot spots offer warm weather and are generally free of any travel restrictions.

Fiji, Galapagos, and Maldives

Do you know what else is booming, aside from travel? Weddings!

Love is in the air, but people have been postponing their weddings (and honeymoons) for the past couple of years due to COVID-19 and travel restrictions.

Now that COVID-19 is winding down and restrictions have eased up globally, lovers are making big wedding plans and trips for their honeymoon in stunning bucket-list locations like Fiji, Galapagos, and the Maldives.

These island destinations offer couples romantic retreats to villas, bungalows, and private huts along with beautiful vistas. There are high-end resorts and hotels with plenty of offerings as well as fun and exciting outdoor adventures, like scuba diving and island hiking.

Travel Insurance for Travel Concerns in 2022

While more people are feeling confident in booking travel plans domestically and abroad for this holiday season, they still have some concerns and reservations.

COVID-19

It’s been a long and winding path to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, which has interrupted multiple industries, including travel.

While things have certainly improved and people are getting their travel plans in place, many still have their reservations concerning COVID-19 and existing travel requirements or restrictions.

While negative COVID-19 tests are no longer a requirement to get into the U.S. and many places abroad, there’s still the possibility of contracting the virus, which still exists and can hit some people hard, even if they’re vaccinated.

Contracting COVID-19 while traveling can, of course, put a damper on travel plans, which is what makes travel insurance coverage like emergency medical or trip interruption crucial, even today.

• Medical Travel Insurance: This type of travel insurance plan will cover you if you contract COVID-19 during your trip and require any kind of medical attention that might incur unexpected medical costs. This insurance will often reimburse things like hospital bills, medication, and doctor visits.
• Trip Interruption Insurance: This coverage can be very useful for travelers worried about COVID-19. It reimburses you for unused portions of your vacation if you’re traveling and experience an unexpected situation that forces you to forfeit non-refundable bookings you paid for. For example, if you contract COVID-19 and need to quarantine, missing out on an expensive and non-refundable scuba adventure you already booked among other non-refundable trip costs, you can be covered.

Inflation and Rising Travel Costs

Despite rising inflation and travel costs, Americans continue to prioritize leisure travel, especially now that COVID-19 restrictions have eased across the globe. 

However, when you compare the first quarter of 2022 with the previous quarter, the number of travelers who feel financially better off now than the same time last year has dropped slightly from 33.6% to 31%, according to data from Destination Analysts.

While it may seem counterintuitive to spend more money on things like travel insurance, insuring a trip can actually be a very affordable way to give travelers peace of mind. If something unexpected occurs, and a trip is canceled for a covered reason under the policy, policyholders can be reimbursed for pre-paid and non-refundable trip costs that were at risk.

Here are a couple types of travel insurance that remain popular despite rising travel costs:

• “Cancel For Any Reason” Trip Cancellation: Trip cancellation travel insurance allows travelers to cancel their trip and receive reimbursements for non-refundable bookings of that trip, such as flights, hotel accommodations, prepaid excursions, and so on, as long as the reason for canceling qualifies. “Cancel For Any Reason” is an upgrade to this plan that is pretty much what it sounds like. Travelers can cancel their trip for any reason and receive up to 75% of lost trip costs.
• Travel Delay Insurance: This is another popular form of travel insurance since our travel plans can sometimes be delayed, whether it’s due to a mechanical issue with an airplane or inclement weather. This benefit would cover the costs associated with the delay. Just be sure to read the policy carefully to understand the limitations and payment caps.

Conclusion

Now that the effects of the pandemic are beginning to wane, people want to travel, especially during the holiday season.

Find an affordable plan that’s just right for your upcoming 2022 holiday vacation on TravelInsurance.com where you can easily compare travel insurance plans from multiple companies-all in one spot.

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