What you need to know about travelling in 2022 and why this could be your biggest chance
Let´s be honest, 2020 and even 2021 was not the best year for all the travel lovers. While some domestic travels were possible, most of the international trips got cancelled. 2020 was therefore a year with a focus in other areas of our lives, but travelling seemed to be put in the background.
After a year of being stuck at home, more and more travellers have the strong desire to go out exploring again. The thrive for new adventures, unknown surroundings and experiences outside of our comfort zone is big … actually it is massive.
But 2022 is supposed to be the year of travels for multiple reasons. While at first sight, travelling in 2022 seems like a huge risk, it could actually be your best decision. Of course, you always need to prioritize your own safety when planning your trips.
But what do you need to know about travelling in 2022? Exploring the world in 2022, is indeed possible. You simply need a lot of spontaneity and the ability to pack your bags quickly. And here is why.
What you need to travel in 2022
Travelling during a pandemic? Of course, you should know that the basis for travelling in 2022 are the restrictions in your own country. You need to be allowed to leave the country to take the opportunity of travelling in 2022.
Apart from open boarders, you need to very spontaneous. As we learnt during the past 2 years, a lot of things can happen in a week. Things are changing quicker than ever before and it seems nearly impossible to actually plan something. Planning a vacation or a trip through a country weeks ahead? Do not even think about it.
Being spontaneous and open about your destination are the most important features if you are planning to leave your country. As soon as a country or a city is not a region of risk anymore and has lifted its restrictions for travelling and tourism, you need to go. This might even mean to book your trip and pack the bags last-minute and hop on the next plane spontaneously.
To travel (almost completely) freely in 2022 you need to be fully vaccinated for most countries. Especially, when it comes to exploring Asia and America again. If you plan to travel in Europe only, you can as well travel with a PCR Test only. Most countries do allow you to enter with a negative test result (apart from Malta).
The advantages of responsible travelling in 2022
What do you need to know about the advantages of travelling in 2022? This goes for short trips for a week as well as longer trips. You have been waiting to start your trip around the world or your gap year since the pandemic started? This is your chance!
Experience a country aside of the impact of tourism
For some, this might have been one of the biggest positive results out of the international travel ban. Tourism giving smaller countries and cities a break. Locals being able to get their own home back and the wild life enjoying a break from the crowds. Despite all the countless downsides of the pandemic, the break in tourism has had its benefits.
In some countries, this might be your best chance now. Experiencing a country in its most natural way, avoiding the tourist crowds and enjoying the empty beaches and trails – 2021 is the year of raw travelling. For most travellers, experiencing the locals and a country in the without the impact of mass tourism is the best way to get to know a place. Sadly, due to the increasing tourism this has become rare.
The travel ban has brought these unique moments back – not only among the people in a country, but as well in wildlife and nature. You can enjoy quiet moments in places usually crowded and you can get the chance to witness rare animals.
The chances are good to catch a great deal
Travelling in 2021 can be incredibly cheap. As hotels have been mostly empty during the past 12 months, the prices are low. Even flights to popular destinations have become cheaper (most of them). This makes budget travelling the easiest it has ever been.
Hotels have special offers which will save you a lot of money. Whenever you book a hotel, hostel or homestay, be aware that you should always be able to cancel it until the last-minute. You never know what happens!
What you need to know about travelling in 2021, is that in most countries, the locals will be lucky to see new visitors. After a year of restrictions, many countries are now struggling to survive. While some make their prices even higher to cover the financial lost, most countries have great deals you definitely should not miss!
It is a good way to support the locals and the tourism
This is especially important in countries in Asia or Africa. Due to the missing tourism, some locals suffer under enormous financial losses. An entire season has been cancelled. As many of the developing countries, such as Indonesia, Nepal, Namibia or Thailand are strongly dependent on their tourism, this causes huge problems. Hotels have been empty, tours have not been booked and shops have been without any income.
To start travelling in 2021 and to visit some of these countries (as soon as they are open again) can be very helpful. Supporting the locals does not mean to justify travelling in times of restrictions, but it still should be considered.
And if you travel in 2021, make sure to be generous to the locals and leave some tip in the restaurant. It will be highly appreciated!
Fancy a quiet and peaceful getaway?
Travelling in 2021 can be a really quiet and peaceful experience. Empty beaches, empty streets in popular places and simply less people around you. Of course, depending on where you are going there can be some differences. Overall, most places are quieter and emptier than ever before. Could this be your chance to explore some countries in the most unique way? Did you even know this about travelling in 2021? This really requires a change of perspective but for some travellers, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Potential travel destinations for 2022 to keep in mind
But which countries should you actually travel to? Where is travelling even possible in 2021? Again, it has to be stated, that it depends on the rules in your own country. For example, Australia does not allow its residents to leave the country. Or rather, you can leave Australia but you will not have an easy way coming back again.
- Bali
Parts of Asia have already been open by the beginning of the year. Bali has closed down again mid-January of 2021, but the chances are good, Indonesia will be one of the first countries open to tourism again in the upcoming months.
Click here for a full Bali Update with all the information on quarantine, visa and current regulations.
Check out The things you did not know about travelling Bali to plan your trip.
- the Seychelles
Currently, the Seychelles are open for tourism worldwide. Just like any other destination, you need to be tested negative and vaccinated to be able to enter the country. What makes this destination extremely attractive is the fact, that life seems to be covid-free on the island. There have not been much active cases lately. You can therefore enjoy a public and social life while travelling the beautiful Seychelles!
- Spain
If you are from Europe, you should look out for great hotels to stay in in Spain. Spain has already opened some of its boarders for travellers in spring. Last summer, the country was one of the firsts to open for international tourism. The chances are good, you could be lying on the Costa Brava this summer.
- Greece
Greece was open for international travel all summer 2021. Travelling Greece in a time with only a few tourists, seems too good to be true. Imagine Santorini or Mykonos with empty streets and peaceful beaches – can you really waive at this?
- The Maldives
Have you ever thought of travelling to the Maldives? You probably have, as this is on anyone´s bucketlist. Travelling and exploring the islands has become more affordable than ever. In 2020, some of the hotels had incredible deals which attracted quite some tourists.
And even in 2022, this seems to continue. Of course, the flights can still be expensive and it is quite a journey, but it is all worth it. You might want to consider it and escape the cold for two weeks, how does that sound like?
How do you plan travelling in 2022?
The probably biggest challenge when it comes to travelling in 2022 is the planning and organization. Why? Because it is basically impossible. Due to the everchanging rules in the different countries and the changes every week, it is hard to make any plans. Actually, planning a trip a few weeks ahead and already booking your stays, seems like a big risk and is mostly avoided. What you need to know about travelling in 2022 is that there are risks. But these risks are worth to take.
As already explained, the only accessories you need to be able to make 2022 the year of travelling, is your spontaneity. Be spontaneous and be fast to get some good deals on travelling. Of course, after quite some time stuck at home, leaving abroad can be a step out of your comfort zone.
But what if it is your best chance to travel this year?