written by Joanne Owen
updated 8.12.2021
We asked, and you answered! Huge thanks to the hundreds of travellers who took the time to take the Rough Guides 2022 Travel Survey. From the wheres, whats and worries of travelling in 2022, to your dream destinations and deep-rooted travel aims, the results make for fascinating reading.
Read on to discover more about what travel really means to you, our readers, in 2022.
If you're one of those dreaming of heading Stateside next year, don't miss the best places in the USA to visit in 2022.
Wherever you're dreaming of visiting, with Rough Guides Tailor-Made Trips a local expert in your chosen destination will work with you to plan and book a trip that's just right for you. Or, you can choose from a number of ready-to-go (but fully customisable!) Tailor-Made Trip itineraries.
Osaka Castle framed by cheery cherry blossom, Japan © Shutterstock
Just under a quarter of you plan to travel somewhere close to home, so it looks like the staycation trend is here to stay. If you're planning a UK holiday next year, don't miss our guide to the UK's best eco-friendly hotels and restaurants.
That said, plenty of you are planning to travel to Europe, with Italy revealed as your number one destination, followed by France, Spain, Portugal and Greece.
The USA is popular too, demonstrating a significant intention to travel further afield. If America happens to be top of your own 2022 wish-list, you’ll find inspiration in The Rough Guide to the 100 Best Places in the USA.
Flying the flag in Charleston, South Carolina, USA © James Kirkikis/Shutterstock
From the breadth of destinations you mentioned, it's clear that Rough Guides readers are set on seeing the world in 2022. Wherever you go and however you like to travel, there's a Rough Guides guidebook or ebook to get you there.
If sustainable travel matters to you, talk to a Rough Guides local expert before planning your next trip. They'll help you arrange a trip that has sustainability at its heart.
Wild water rafting adventures in Costa Rica © Shutterstock
Culture-oriented city sojourns are top of your plans, too – a third of you intend to take a city break in 2022.
A host of you plan to visit Italy and with Rough Guides Tailor-Made Trips, you can book a trip that’s carefully curated to satisfy your cultural (and culinary) cravings in one hit, such as on a tour of Italian cities of the Renaissance.
St Mark's Square from the Grand Canal, Venice, Italy © volkova natalia/Shutterstock
While city breaks look set to play a big part in 2022 travel, many participants said they’re planning a beach break, and (chiming with your desire for adventure), a quarter of you want to enjoy once-in-a-lifetime bucket list experiences.
This desire for beach and bucket list breaks reflect the likes of Costa Rica and the Maldives cropping up as your most desired destinations. Both deliver big when it comes to world-class beaches and exhilarating outdoor pursuits.
Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire, a world-class beach in Wales © Shutterstock
Back to adventure again (there really is no getting away from it), wildlife-oriented travel, such as safaris, are a 2022 priority for many.
If you're looking for a wildlife-centred itinerary, discover the highlights of East Africa with Tailor-Made Trips Gorillas, Big Five and Zanzibar tour.
Cuba and Costa Rica are amazing destinations for wildlife-watchers (especially bird-lovers), with stunning eco-lodges to stay in as part of a sustainably-minded adventure experience. How about a room with magnificent mountain views in Costa Rica's Monteverde cloud forest?
A true bucket list experience – Kilimanjaro safari © Shutterstock
If you've been missing that incomparable feeling of counting down the days to your trip, you're not alone – 22 percent of you love looking forward to a trip almost as much as the trip itself.
Counting down counts for a lot. Astronomical Clock, Prague, Czech Republic © SL-Photography/Shutterstock
Many more of you cited reconnecting with family as one of their key hoped-for travel aims. In addition, 15 percent of respondents plan to take a multi-generational trip.
Na Pali Coast, Kauai, Hawaii – another of your dream destinations © Maridav / Shutterstock
The pandemic has also made travellers more determined to fulfil their bucket list dreams and make their travel experiences more meaningful.
Tradtiional mask dance in Nepal, a destination many of you dream of visiting © Shutterstock
Half of you also agreed with the statement: “I live to travel”, while one respondent shared something we couldn't agree with more: "travel is enrichment”. Here's to 2022 travel being as enriching as possible.
If you’re looking for 2022 travel inspiration, you might want to get your hands on a copy of The Rough Guide to the 100 Best Places on Earth 2022, a picture-packed book that reveals our writers’ recommendations for top destinations to visit in the coming year. In the meantime, read our overview of the world's greatest destinations for 2022 trips.
If you’re ready to start making your 2022 travel daydreams a reality, let us connect you with a local expert in your chosen destination, who'll help you plan your perfect Tailor-Made Trip. They'll take the hassle out of planning so you can focus on what really matters – getting excited about your upcoming adventures.
We may earn commission when you click on links in this article, but this doesn’t influence our editorial standards. We only recommend services that we genuinely believe will enhance your travel experiences.”
Header image: adventure-seeking mountain-hikers © Shutterstock
written by Joanne Owen
updated 8.12.2021
