By Cecil Edwards

After a couple abnormal years, many families are eager and ready to travel together again. There are indications some pandemic-influenced travel behaviors will continue in 2022. For example, remote work and virtual school allowed families to travel and combine work and vacation time into “flexcation” getaways, a trend that will continue, according to the 2022 Vrbo Trend Report.

In addition to the 44% of families that said they are more likely to work remotely from a place that is not their home, extended stays are also on the rise. The vacation home site and app has seen a 68% increase in demand for 3-4-week stays over the past year.

Consider these other 2022 travel trends:

Up-and-Coming Destinations
Spots in Ohio, New York, and Alaska saw double vacation rental demand over the past year. Within driving distance of major Midwest metros like Chicago, Indianapolis and Louisville, Cincinnati was the year’s top emerging destination.
Other up-and-comers include Niagara Falls, a popular choice for those who want to experience life at the border. Yorktown, Virginia, the location of the last Revolutionary War battle, allows history buffs to witness a battle reenactment. Adventurous travelers trekked to Matanuska-Susitna, Alaska, to enjoy the wilderness of Denali National Park and Preserve, breathtaking glaciers, and surrounding mountains.

Chalet All Day
You may have heard of Cabincore and Cottagecore, but chalets are a trending aesthetic that inspires family travel. Chalets saw a nearly 85% increase in demand year over year. Located on lakefronts or nestled in the woods, these charming and idyllic properties are desirable lodging options for many families.

Kids Call the Shots
After being cooped up at home, it may be no surprise parents are letting their kids have a bigger say in vacation planning. Compared to pre-pandemic times, half of the families surveyed said they are more likely to let their kids decide where they vacation and 43% of parents are more likely to let their kids skip school for vacation.

Traveling with the Pack
Many families adopted pets because they had more time at home to spend with their furry friends. Now more people are bringing Fido and Fluffy along on vacation; 68% of pet parents have traveled, plan to travel, or would like to travel with their pets. What is more, there has been a 40% increase in demand year-over-year for pet-friendly vacation homes.

Early Bird Bookers
If 2021 was any indication, families will continue booking their vacations further in advance. Booking activity occurred an average of 2-3 months earlier than usual for several major travel seasons. Families booked summer travel in February, holiday trips in July and snowbirds got a head start on booking warm weather stays for 2022. In fact, many families are making traveling plans 3-5 months in advance.

Whether you are looking to travel far from home or stick closer to the Triad, there are many beautiful vacation destinations to choose from. These travel trends can help guide your planning this year and give you some ideas that you may not have thought about before. One of the great things about living in Kernersville is that we are centrally located to the mountains and the beach. You are sure to find a great vacation option that fits your family!