Travel

Vrbo reveals the international holiday hotspots in 2022, as 80%* of UK travellers are confident they’ll be able to go on holiday this year

Despite another challenging year for travel, families in the UK are feeling confident that they will be able to take a long-awaited trip once again in 2022 to some of their favourite sunny, beach destinations.

The latest research from Vrbo®, a global expert in family holiday rentals, has revealed as part of the third edition of its annual Family Holiday Insider report, that many Brits are showing interest in getting back to travelling this year, with 8 in 10 UK families expressing their confidence in their ability to get away, with over a third (36%) already planning a European summer break and over a quarter (28%) an international one.

With almost half (45%) of families surveyed saying they want to head to the beach on their main family holiday this year, it’s hardly a surprise to see the top 10 destinations that have seen the highest interest in searches are made up of popular European beach destinations. The data revealed Brits pent up desire for sun, sea and sand for their holidays this summer, with many looking at resorts along the ‘Mediterranean corridor’ as an option for a beach trip away with the family, with interest in city breaks at just 14% and countryside/rural trips down at 11%.

The Balearic Islands** came in at the top spot for the destination with the highest interest for Brits this summer.

Those looking to head to the sandy beaches of the Algarve in the Faro district, the second destination on the list receiving the highest interest to spend a trip this summer, will be pleased to hear availability of vacation rentals on Vrbo is currently around 55%***, as it is for Dordogne in France, whilst holidaymakers exploring the idea of a family trip to Las Palmas will still be able to search for a perfect holiday escape, from the 65% availability of rentals on Vrbo. Data from Vrbo also identified some of the most popular hotspots for international holidays for the summer months in 2022, after seeing searches for some destinations increase by almost four times on average, year on year. Topping the list of newest international hotspot destinations**** is Barcelona in Spain. Keeping to the Mediterranean theme and Brits desire for beach destinations, Malta came in second place, with Dubrovnik, Croatia, known for its stunning Adriatic coastline, coming in third. Also in the top 10 were two US destinations, with the popular family resorts of Orlando and Kissimmee attracting a number of Brits, now that borders have re-opened.

For those looking to take a trip this summer, holidaymakers will be pleased to hear there is still plenty of availability in some of the most searched destinations by Brits. In Barcelona around 65% of the vacation rentals available on Vrbo are still free in the summer months to book, which is the same

story for port city of Santa Cruz, Tenerife. With countless beautiful bays, in Istria, Croatia availability is around 55%, so families will be sure to find what they’re looking for when booking a trip away to the Adriatic coast.

Top 10 international destinations with the highest interest for Brits for summer 2022

1. Balearic Islands, Spain

2. Faro district, Portugal

3. Malaga province, Spain

4. Alicante province, Spain

5. Ionian Islands, Greece

6. Cyprus

7. Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain

8. South Aegean, Greece

9. Dordogne, France

10. Kissimmee, US

Marwan Badran, VP of Expedia Group Retail Markets EMEA commented, “With such a high level of confidence to travel again according to the latest searches made by British holidaymakers on Vrbo, there is clear desire to travel again, particularly to international summer destinations, where British families are familiar with and used to go to, prior to the pandemic”.

Booking with confidence

To help give holidaymakers that extra boost of confidence when packing their bags and dusting off their passports, 4 in 10 families feel that holiday companies and property owners should offer more flexible cancellation policies.

With almost a third (31%) saying that high vaccination rates in both the UK and abroad would give them added assurance and extra confidence to plan a family holiday in 2022, the demand for travel further afield is reflecting a more confident travel landscape.

Over a quarter (26%) of those surveyed stated that getting a third booster vaccination would make them feel more at ease to travel, whilst 23% of respondents also expressed a desire to have their younger children vaccinated. 23% of Brits claimed they feel used to the ‘new normal’ of travelling during the pandemic and confident to do so in 2022, meaning the ‘newnormal’ is becoming just ‘normal’.

Is this the end of the staycation?

With more Brits feeling confident about travelling further afield, what does this mean for holidays in the UK? Vrbo’s research suggests that the staycation is still very much here to stay, with nearly half (47%) of UK families intending to take a summer break in the UK in 2022 and nearly three quarters (72%) of families choosing destinations within driving distance of their home as their first choice.

When looking at the most in demand weeks of the year for summer holiday travel between the end of July and beginning of August, early bird Brits have already been busy booking! Some of the most popular destinations are already booked up, with low availability in popular tourist hotspots such as Cornwall, Norfolk and Gwynedd, Caernarfonshire, where only 40% of Vrbo rentals remain available to book during this period.

Marwan Badran, VP of Expedia Group Retail Markets EMEA says “Holidays have become even more precious during these difficult times. They are not just about the excitement of travelling to new places - they are also valued as an opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends, have a break from everyday life and to strengthen bonds. And when travelling in Vrbo holiday rentals, who you’re with matters just as much as where you go”.

www.vrbo.com/en-gb/holiday-homes/ holiday-news-and-trends/familyholiday-insider

Wilderness Safaris and White Desert introduce latest Africa and Antarctica journeys

Wilderness Safaris and White Desert have come together once again, to design two adventure-packed joint itineraries featuring the best of Africa and Antarctica. Through this partnership, the companies’ shared guests will enjoy the most awe-inspiring experiences, hand crafted to highlight the best of Wilderness and White Desert’s offering. The journeys are set to take place in January 2023.

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with White Desert and celebrate the launch of its brand-new camp, Echo. Wilderness Safaris is the first luxury safari outfitter to design these unique continent-to-continent itineraries to include Echo, and we will be extending our collaboration with White Desert to further engage adventureseeking guests with dynamic combination conservation experiences”, said Amanda Wilson, Wilderness Safaris Vice President of Partnerships.

Wilderness is a pioneer in conservation tourism, and has built a collective of remote destinations in Africa, each unique and untamed, affording a truly immersive and exclusive adventure for those seeking to discover the wilderness. And in a corner of the world that is characterised by pristine vistas, dramatic mountain ranges and exceptional wildlife encounters, White Desert has taken the hardship out of exploration and transformed the isolated beauty of Antarctica into an exclusive backdrop for adventure, offering luxury accommodation and a host of experiences, including ice climbing, abseiling, rock climbing, and rope walking, as well as the rare highlight of visiting the South Pole. Protecting Antarctica’s future is fundamental to White Desert’s mission; in addition to supporting scientists performing groundbreaking research on the Antarctic ice shelf, White Desert’s operations leave no waste on the continent, and their camps are built with the lightest environmental footprint, similar to those of Wilderness Safaris, where all elements of their camps can be disassembled, leaving no trace.

The first itinerary, Ice & Fire: Antarctica and Rwanda is a 20-day journey that will take place from 8 January to 28 January 2023, discovering the highlights of Cape Town, Antarctica and Rwanda. After two nights at the exclusive One&Only Cape Town, a maximum of 12 guests will depart on a private jet to White Desert’s brand-new camp, Echo, boasting luxurious Sky Pods with expansive floor-to-ceiling windows and dramatic views over the vast Antarctic playground guests will get to explore. During their eight-night stay, travellers will take a 2.5-hour flight to Atka Bay, where they will experience one of nature’s marvels – exclusive access to observe over 14 000 breeding pairs of penguins and their weeks-old chicks. Additionally, guests will embark on an overnight excursion by plane to the South Pole, which is visited by fewer than 800 people each year. Other activities include trekking through ice waves, exploring crystal caves, fat biking and cross country skiing, accompanied by highly qualified and knowledgeable White Desert guides.

Guests will then return to Cape Town for three nights to regroup and relax while being looked after by a Wilderness Private Journeys guide. The Rwanda leg of their journey will kick off in Kigali where they will experience the bustling cultural and culinary scene of this vibrant city, before taking a short flight to Wilderness Magashi Camp for a classic East African safari. Located in Akagera National Park, Magashi boasts prolific wildlife including elephant, lion, leopard, and black rhino and more. Next, guests will take a scenic helicopter flip to the award-winning Bisate Lodge. Nestled on the slopes of an eroded crater, each of Bisate’s six suites overlooks two enormous

extinct volcanoes, Bisoke and Karisimbi. During their stay, guests will trek through the rainforests of Volcanoes National Park, for an hour-long encounter with a family of aweinspiring and endangered mountain gorillas. Other activities include trekking to observe the highly entertaining golden monkey population in the park, planting trees for reforestation and connecting with the local community. Guests will be guided through Rwanda by a private Wilderness specialist photographic guide.

The 18-day second journey, Wild Desert Adventure: Antarctica and Namibia offers two of the most remarkably remote luxury travel experiences in the world, taking guests from the ancient and remote Namib Desert to the southernmost point on Earth. Set to take place from 7-24 January, travellers begin with an overnight stay at Johannesburg’s iconic Saxon Hotel before flying to Namibia to experience the highlights of the Namib Desert.

Here they explore the dramatic landscapes of the world-renowned Sossusvlei dune field, with a stay at Wilderness’s lovely desert retreat, Little Kulala. Guests then fly to Namibia’s remote north-west to experience a transformative stay at Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp to photograph the unique desert-adapted wildlife of the Hoanib Valley, ending at the surreally beautiful Serra Cafema to visit the unique and culturally rich Himba people. Guests will be guided through Namibia by a private Wilderness specialist photographic guide. After a flight to Cape Town to spend two nights at the One&Only Hotel, guests can rest before departing on a private jet flight for the South Pole to experience a six-night stay at White Desert’s Echo camp. In addition to standing on the bottom of the world, guests will enjoy the same penguin experience and activities as per the above itinerary.

“Like Africa, Antarctica has a profound effect on those who visit; we can’t help but leave deeply changed. It’s fabulous to be partnering again with Wilderness Safaris to show off our diverse landscapes and bring back the joy of mindful travel to our guests”, said Mindy Roberts, White Desert Chief Marketing Officer.

“We are thrilled to be partnering again with White Desert, affording global travellers the unique opportunity to explore some of the Earth’s most breath-taking and remote destinations; to offer them arguably the most unique and intimate nature and wildlife experiences luxury tourism has to offer. In turn, we hope our guests become stewards of conservation tourism in Africa and Antarctica”, Amanda concluded.

For more information visit: www.wilderness-safaris.com/white-desert.

Coming up next month in our April Issue, features on:

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