Three in four (73%) Singapore travellers want their next vacation to be their Greatest Of All Trips (GOAT), in pursuit of transformative and meaningful travel experiences.
SINGAPORE – Expedia released its 2022 Travel Trends Report1, which revealed new traveller priorities that are shaking up the status quo in 2022. As more countries begin to welcome travellers back and demand spikes for international destinations such as London, Paris and Seoul, Expedia’s report, which was conducted with 12,000 travellers across 12 countries, including 500 travellers from Singapore, uncovered that close to three-quarters (73%) of Singaporeans are planning to go big on their next trip with a new “no regrets” style of travel, which Expedia has dubbed the “GOAT” (Greatest of All Trips) mindset.
With a newfound appreciation that each trip in the current travel environment is a privilege, travellers are now in pursuit of more transformative and fulfilling journeys, without holding back. Among the top GOAT characteristics uncovered by the Expedia report, Singapore travellers are planning to be more present and live in the moment, immerse themselves in culture, splurge on experiences and seek out excitement, as they crave the feelings of contentment and mental well-being (41%), excitement and exhilaration (38%), as well as gratification (37%).
Lavinia Rajaram, Asia Head of Communications, Expedia Group Brands, said, “As travellers start to build their trust in travel again after a long period of constraints and limitations, travel in 2022 will be about embracing the GOAT mindset, to maximise the richness and meaning from their overseas experiences. Despite close to half (46%) of the Singapore respondents who took part in our research expressing feelings of cautiousness towards travel, the report also showed that majority of travellers (73%) want to let go and go big for their next trip. With new Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTLs) being launched to new destinations, coupled with Singapore’s safe and cautious approach to reopening of international travel, Expedia anticipates our travellers will take that leap and invest big in travel going into 2022.”
Expedia’s 2022 travel trends
Beyond uncovering the enthusiasm of travellers to go big on their next trip, Expedia’s report also unveiled five core trends that will shape how Singaporeans will travel in 2022.
1. Scrapping the Schedule
The pandemic has made it difficult to travel on a whim, but travel guidelines will persist for the foreseeable future. As such, Expedia has observed that travellers are ready to embrace the impromptu, with over a quarter (28%) of Singapore respondents seeking to be more spontaneous and live in the moment.
The report also found that travellers prefer to go-with-the-flow and forgo an itinerary (29%) to embrace the freedom to do whatever they want, whenever they want (36%). With more flexible options and rates available than ever before, there’s no better time for travellers to explore last-minute trips and unknown adventures that might just culminate in their GOAT.
Travel Tips:
- For a spontaneous trip, consider nearer destinations such as Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, or even Thailand with the upcoming VTL, where you can let your wanderlust run free. Alternatively, spend a weekend on the nearby island of Sentosa, where there are beaches and activities for everyone in the family to enjoy.
- For peace of mind and assurance when booking last-minute getaways, opt for refundable accommodation that you can easily cancel should your plans change.
2. The Splurge-cation
After cancelling trips, postponing celebrations and foregoing simple luxuries, travellers are ready to make up for lost time to put themselves first and get the GOAT they deserve.
Over the next year, more than two in five (43%) Singapore travellers are more willing to treat themselves and prioritise their enjoyment and experiences over budget on their next trip. From going on the ultimate shopping spree (30%), to dining at a Michelin star restaurant (23%), to booking a first-class flight or a 5-star hotel (18%), travellers are looking to invest in making their next trip the best one ever.
Travel Tips:
- For those searching for the ultimate shopping spree, consider Paris or New York, some of the world’s top shopping destinations. If Michelin star restaurants is part of the agenda, you can put London’s Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park on the list, which is home to Dinner by Heston Blumenthal.
- For those looking to treat themselves to luxe flying, now is the best time to upgrade. According to data from Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), average premium economy ticket prices in 2021 were 288% more expensive than economy tickets, whereas in 2019, average prices for premium economy were 430% more expensive than economy3.
3. Immerse to Discover
Going big doesn’t just always mean taking a bucket-list trip. In the coming year, Singapore travellers are raring to go beyond the norm on their next trip, with more of them being willing to step out of their comfort zone (26%) and immerse themselves in destinations, cultures and experiences that are completely different from their own (32%).
From experimenting with local delicacies (49%) and embracing food that they’ve never eaten before (44%), to visiting a destination they never would have considered pre-pandemic (26%), staying with a local family instead of booking a hotel (17%) or seeking more rural, off-the-beaten track experiences (27%), travellers have a new curiosity to learn something new and truly experience the world.
Travel Tips:
- Singaporeans looking to go beyond the norm can consider heading to the Netherlands, Switzerland or Spain, where they can enjoy an abundance of greenery and flowers, snow-capped mountains and immerse in the local food and wine culture.
- Make use of Expedia’s “Interest” filters to narrow activity and experiences searches. Try filtering by history and culture, or food and drink to indulge in a food tour to get the very best experiences that the destination has to offer.
4. Sensation Seeking
In 2022, travellers aren’t just craving new tastes and places, they’re also yearning for feelings of excitement and exhilaration (38%). Additionally, 11% are hoping to feel a sense of danger or riskiness on their next trip, with 10% willing to try daring or high adrenaline activities and experiences.
Singapore travellers are most excited about doing things they would usually never do, including sleeping under the stars (24%), going skydiving (17%) or going night trekking on a volcano (13%) on their next trip.
Travel Tips
- Whether it’s sky diving in Qatar or hot air ballooning in Melbourne, Singaporeans are ready to feel wind in their hair again and the rush of exploring the unknown.
- Use Expedia’s “Adventure & Outdoor” filter to narrow down experiences that will get the blood rushing and adrenaline pumping.
5. Unfiltered Enjoyment
A successful trip is no longer defined by likes on social media. Traveller priorities are shifting towards a greater focus on supporting their mental well-being. 29% seek trips that enable them to prioritise their mental health. Furthermore, 41% are searching for a sense of contentment and mental well-being on their next trip, and one in five travellers (22%) will spend less time on their devices to be more present.
To reach this sense of contentment, more than one-third of travellers (36%) also aim to spend more time in their destination to ensure they fully experience all it has to offer. Travel in 2022 will be about quality, not quantity, and embracing the simple pleasures to truly achieve meaningful impact.
Travel Tips
- Whether it’s chilling by Bondi Beach in Sydney or relaxing at a Korean jijimbang in Seoul, these unplugged getaways will help Singaporeans recharge their batteries.
- Consider physically switching off gadgets when you are not working, locking them away or putting them out of sight to ensure you are truly present. Alternatively allocate a specific time to being online only and then switch off.
“To support travellers in their trip planning, Expedia has implemented a range of tools to help travellers make informed decisions. For the latest information on regulations and health and safety guidelines for their destination and origin, visit Expedia’s handy COVID-19 Travel Advisory. Travellers can also use Expedia’s “Free Cancellation” or “Book Now, Pay Later” filters to help travellers find options with flexible and refundable rates,” added Rajaram.
This study was conducted on behalf of Expedia by Northstar Research Partners, a global strategic research firm. The survey was conducted online from 27 August – 6 September, 2021, across North and South America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific using an amalgamated group of best-in-class panels. The study was conducted with 12,000 respondents across 12 countries, with adults who are planning domestic or international travel in the next 18 months.
Tatiana is the news co-ordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes to monitor the hundrends of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skim the most important according to our strategy. She holds a Bachelor degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
