
INTRODUCTION
The lockdowns and restrictions that were enforced due to the global COVID-19 pandemic found a lot
of people feeling socially isolated. Besides, personal tragedies made one appreciate their existing
relationships and friendships much more. Being devoid of much human contact other than virtual,
travelers are looking forward to spending time with their loved ones again. This has led to an increase in
group travel activities.
At the same time, the corporate world is gearing up to normalize business travel. Through conferences,
teams in multi-location businesses visiting each other or overseas meetings, business travel is expected
to start a steady revival in the second half of 2022. The workforce also understood the importance of work-
life balance much better during the pandemic. Therefore, most business trips these days turn into bleisure
travel with travelers carrying out their professional commitments while also exploring the area they are
visiting, often getting their family or friends along as well.
There are also all the deferred travel plans meant to celebrate personal, academic or professional
milestones achieved amidst the pandemic. Couples who had to opt for a small wedding instead of the
grand ones they had planned earlier. Grandparents who are yet to meet their grandchildren. Young adults
who never set out for their spring break, post-graduation trips or gap year vacations. They have all been
saving and planning for that one epic trip they can take with family or friends. A lot of people who were
keen on travelling solo, especially women, are now opting for travel groups for practical reasons. Sports
teams have also started traveling to other states, and even countries, as events and competitions have
resumed.
The World Economic Forum expects a period of resurgence in the travel, tourism and hospitality industries.
In one of their recent reports, Chief of Market Intelligence and Competitiveness at the United Nations
World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Sandra Carvao noted, “We’ve also seen an increase in expenditure
per trip, so I think people are very eager to go outside, and they’re staying longer.”
Even as all the upbeat talk about future prospects goes on, there are things to be cautious about. Geopolitical
tensions have been high this year. Additionally, strikes, staff shortages, delays and cancellations of flights
have induced new challenges to the aviation services across the globe.
Travel Market Report’s Group Travel Outlook 2022 captures some of the trends in the group travel segment.
This outlook looks at the industry through the eyes of travel advisors to better understand this landscape.
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