NEW data shows rising travel intent and growing traveller confidence contributed to longer search windows and improved lodging performance
The insights from the Expedia Group Media Solutions Q1 2022 Travel Trend Report are from data collected from Asia Pacific (APAC), Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), North America (NORAM) and Latin America (LATAM) including search trends, top booked destinations and lodging insights.
Travel searches surge as restrictions ease
During Q1 global search volume was up 25% quarter-over-quarter, led by double-digit growth in NORAM at 30% and EMEA at 25%. Compared to Q1 2021 year-on-year global search volumes up 75% year-over-year with all regions seeing an increase – EMEA up 165%, NORAM 70%, LATAM50% and APAC 30%.
Longer search windows with growing traveller confidence
With traveller confidence on the upswing Q1 saw lengthening search windows. Global share of searches in the 180+ day search window increased 190%, while the 0- to 21–day search window decreased 15% quarter-over-quarter. Regionally, shorter search window share in APAC and LATAM held steady between Q4 2021 and Q1 2022, while EMEA and NORAM travellers searched further out, with the 91- to 180–day search window increasing 140% and 60%, respectively.
In the same quarter 60% of global domestic searches fell within the 0- to 30–day window, a 10% decrease compared to Q4, while the share of searches in 91- to 180–day window increased 80% quarter-over-quarter. Global international search share for the 91- to 180+ day window increased 35% quarter over quarter, with the 91- to 180–day window seeing the largest gains.
Big cities and beaches still hold appeal
Major cities such as Las Vegas, New York, Chicago and London remained popular with travellers, making up the global top 10 list of booked destinations in Q1 alongside beach destinations like Cancun, Punta Cana, Honolulu and Miami.
New intra-regional destinations also appeared on the top 10 booked destinations list in each region including Rome in EMEA, Puerta Vallarta in LATAM and Phoenix in NORAM. In APAC, destinations within Australia experienced strong quarter-over-quarter growth including Sydney, Melbourne and Surfers Paradise.
Improved lodging performance
Global lodging bookings for hotels and vacation rentals combined were up 35% quarter-over-quarter, and all regions experienced at least double-digit growth in Q1. Fifteen of the top 25 global destinations saw double-digit growth in hotel bookings quarter-over-quarter. Global lodging length of stay held steady between Q4 2021 and Q1 2022, at 2 days for hotel stays and 5.5 days for vacation rental stays.
Vacation rentals had another positive quarter with substantial quarter-over-quarter growth in vacation rental night counts. Domestic travel continued to dominate the vacation rental space, with Australia, France, Brazil, and the U.S. being the top booked countries for their respective regions.
Growing demand and opportunity for sustainable tourism
Consumers globally are making more mindful decisions when travelling, such as opting for more eco-conscious and sustainable offerings, with more wanting to do so in the future. However, many feel overwhelmed by starting the process of being a more sustainable traveller and are looking for sustainability information from trusted travel resources and providers.
According to Media Solutions Sustainable Travel Study, two-thirds of consumers want to see more information on sustainability from lodging and transportation providers, and half want to see this information from destination organizations. Additionally, 50% of consumers would be willing to pay more for transportation, activities and lodging if the option was more sustainable.
“As we look back on the first quarter of the year and forward to the months ahead, we’re optimistic about what 2022 has in store,” said Jennifer Andre, global vice President for Media Solutions.
“Rising travel intent, lengthening search windows, a lift in international searches, and growing consumer interest in sustainable travel are just a few of the positive trends we saw in Q1 2022. This year is shaping up to be a year of sustained growth and we look forward to collaborating with our partners and across the industry to continue rebuilding tourism for the future.”
• Featured image credit: anyaberkut/Getty Images
