2022 has been an unprecedented year in almost every way and a hectic year for leisure travelers. Consumers have greater access to destinations around the world after the outbreak as ‘Revenge’ holidays have been unleashed.
The 566,893 flights operated in April 2022 were 86.9% of the 652,533 flights operated in April 2019 before the pandemic, according to a Ministry of Transport official.
But travelers also faced an extraordinary challenge last year. The most significant issue was the increased vulnerability of the global air travel network, resulting in multiple delays, cancellations and disruptions affecting millions of travelers.
while pursuing a career [travel writer] In 2022, I was by no means excluded from the challenges that come with leisure travel. Nearly all of my travels have been to Caribbean destinations and, unsurprisingly, there have been many airport delays and long hours spent checking flight information boards.
Still, the travel challenges I faced in 2022 were nothing compared to some of the stories I heard. .
like what do you ask? Well, don’t worry. We’ve gathered a few in what we decided to call “Travel Highs and Lows for 2022.” I hope you like the title. Without delay, here is a list with some observations.
High: Travel Rebound – As mentioned earlier, leisure travel has recovered strongly in 2022. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has reported 250 million international arrivals from January 2021, compared with his 77 million arrivals reported during May. .
UNWTO officials say the travel sector has recovered to almost half of its pre-pandemic 2019 levels. “Tourism recovery is accelerating in many parts of the world, surmounting the challenges ahead,” said Zurab Pololikashvili, Executive Director.
Low: delay and confusion – Industry watchers expected leisure travel to face new challenges in the post-pandemic era. These concerns have materialized during 2022 as thousands of flights have been canceled, delayed or otherwise disrupted due to extreme weather, staff shortages and technical issues.
Flight tracking company Flight Aware reported that 570,000 flights were delayed between Memorial Day and Labor Day last year. By June, the Department of Transportation (DOT) reported that consumer complaints against the airline had increased by more than 300% compared to pre-pandemic levels.
DOT officials added that complaints fell by 15.6% by September but remain three times higher than pre-pandemic levels.
Leisure travelers bore the brunt of the turmoil as air transport networks slackened under the strain of resumed activity. Nearly 80% of customers say they have experienced high prices, long wait times, cancellations and poor service.
High: Personal Reward – My professional travels in 2022 have taken me to several Caribbean countries. There, we toured historic and natural sites and met with tourism authorities and officials.
But definitely the highlight was being named a Nevis Tourism Ambassador by the Nevis Tourism Authority. The opportunity to shine a light on the island where my maternal grandmother was born was an incredible honor that I never expected, and one I will always miss.
My 2022 visit to Nevis was a fitting way to return to the Caribbean, which UNWTO has identified as one of the world’s regions leading the 2022 leisure travel recovery. Crossed Saint Kitts and Nevis to Nassau, Bahamas. Aruba; Cayman Islands; Dominican Republic; Cancun and Costa Mujeres, Mexico. San Juan, Puerto Rico and Montego Bay, Jamaica last year.
Low: Travel disrupted by extreme weather – Record-breaking temperatures plagued travelers from US national parks to cities in the UK, Spain, Norway and other parts of Europe during the summer of 2022.
London marks 104 degrees Fahrenheit day in July 2022. According to Sky News, he’s 34 degrees above the average city temperature in the mid-’70s. The scorching temperatures forced members of Buckingham Palace’s steadfast Queen’s Guard to take a quick water break.
Meanwhile, in December 2022, a snowstorm at Iceland’s Keflavik International Airport left thousands stranded, leaving travelers bedridden for days on baggage belts, escalator steps and luggage in an unheated airport. rice field.
Caroline Rose, a researcher at a Washington-based think tank, told the Insider website that conditions at the airport were “otherworldly” and that food and water were hard to come by.
High: Travel insurance has proven to be invaluable – Widespread reports of accidents associated with leisure travel are likely to encourage more vacationers to purchase travel insurance in 2022.
A review of the cases by provider Allianz Global Assistance found a number of instances where travelers faced unfavorable circumstances while on holiday last year.
A couple in Santa Fe, New Mexico, had an emergency after their wife was bitten by a wasp while standing on the dock of an Italian cruise ship.
Other vacationers have linked cases of broken bones after slipping on wet floors or while getting out of their cars on excursions to the islands. had purchased insurance prior to departure and had received refunds and assistance.
“As the world becomes an increasingly unpredictable place, travelers are turning to travel insurance for travel protection and peace of mind,” said Allianz spokesperson Daniel Durazo.
Low: weed ground – In 2022, recreational marijuana policies were released in several U.S. states, but those standards didn’t roll into the air.
According to TravelPulse’s most read article of 2022, marijuana (somewhat unsurprisingly) is still a contraband in airports. According to Transportation Security Administration officials, “marijuana and certain cannabis-infused products remain illegal under federal law.”
