World Travel Improving In 2022

In 2019 before the coronavirus pandemic halted travel and tourism, global tourism contributed over $9.1 trillion USD to the world economy. Now in 2022, new research published by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) predicts that the global Travel & Tourism sector could contribute $8.6 trillion this year, which is more than 95% of pre-pandemic levels.

In New Zealand we have many anecdotal examples of increased interest in tourism and hope for business that have been struggling to survive. Fishing guides in Taupo are again receiving enquiries from the US and UK and one guide we spoke to had not had a single overseas enquiry since March 2020, and is now being inundated with requests for bookings for next summer.

Local travel agents are again busy with plans and bookings by Kiwis wanting to head abroad in April right through into next year. One agent we spoke to has been working nights and weekends trying to manage demand, while accommodation providers on popular islands like Fiji are overloaded with requests for availability right through September and November of this year and into 2023.

Airlines and cruise operators are also looking to ramp up capacity to match demand. There is no question the last two years have decimated tourism operators in most countries, with many businesses going under and many workers having to move to other sectors for employment, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.

The hope is that soon the peoples of the world will be able to travel freely and that tourism operators will again be sharing unique experiences, employing and training staff, and bringing tourist dollars into their local economies. Some confusion still exists about the insurance implications around contracting covid and future border closures; if you're planning travel in 2022 get in touch with us for clarity and expert advice.

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