Now that we are over the hump of the pandemic, there is a new sense of enthusiasm around planning a spring getaway or summer vacation. Everyone—from family and friends to those you’ve lost touch with—is missing the face-to-face connection and the excitement of taking a trip to a new or favorite destination. Conversations around travel do’s and don’ts tend to pick up as warmer temps arrive, and 2022 travel etiquette requires some finesse and the right mentality. To paint a picture of what’s on the minds of travelers this year, Expedia conducted a survey of 12,000 travelers in 12 countries, and they are calling 2022 the year of the GOAT, the “greatest of all trips.” Extravagant trips are expected to be the major travel trend of the year; 65% of respondents are planning a trip, and they are going “big.” But, what if your budget doesn’t allow you to splurge but you are still interested in seeing new sights?
2022 Travel Etiquette Primer
Attitude Is Everything
You may not be traveling like a rock star on a private jet, but your mindset sets the tone for the occasion. It’s time to get excited! Whether you are planning a trip across the state or around the world, step one to setting yourself up for a great experience is your attitude. Speak about your vacation with enthusiasm in your voice and get your family eager to share time away from the daily routine.
Make a Plan
Along with your itinerary, map out sights and places you don’t want to miss along the way. If you are taking a road trip, plan designated stops. If you are flying, make a concise list of museums, restaurants, food trucks, hotel bars and lobbies, tea rooms or whatever lights you up on your journey. Rank items in order of importance so that in case you run out of time, you can make sure you hit each special place on your checklist without any regrets when you get back home.
Shorter May Be Better
A quick weekend getaway may be more fun than a week-long trek to a city you are not as interested in visiting. Or, perhaps going to a country where the flight is short, the dollar is stronger, and you can stay longer with fewer expenses may be a consideration on your bucket list.
Use Your Travel Points
You can get better deals and stay in nicer hotels with more favorable flights when you are loyal to the right credit card. Strategize how to accrue a substantial amount of points by using the right card. According to Nerdwallet, “the easiest way to think about the value of airline and hotel reward programs is how much they pay you back per dollar spent.” If you use your credit card on a regular basis anyways, you might as well rack up some points that will allow you to upgrade your travel without spending more money.
Pack Like a Pro
One of the unexpected expenses you may encounter when traveling is buying clothes or items you accidentally forgot at home. Forgetting your socks, phone charger, heavy sweater or favorite jeans can wrack up a bill you were not expecting. Use this travel checklist to ensure you are properly prepared so you can spend your travel budget on things you want to see, eat and enjoy. Pack snacks to avoid the airline fast food lines and purchase fresh fruit and your favorite snacks when you arrive to substitute for a quick trip to the hotel snack bar.
Get Familiar With Public Transportation
While you may prefer to hire a driver to get you from point A to point B, learning how to navigate the subway or using Uber will save you tons of cash. Walk when you can to get plenty of fresh air and exercise and take public transportation like the locals to get from one destination to another in much quicker time than getting stuck waiting for your driver to arrive.
Use Business for Pleasure
If your company sends you to a great location, consider turning the extra time into a bit of pleasure. Take a few extra days, and have your partner or family travel with you or meet up with you so that you can enjoy the sites once you wrap up your business obligations. You may not have chosen the trip on your own, but you can find plenty of great things to do in unusual locations. Remember … attitude is everything!
Are you interested in additional resources around 2022 Travel Etiquette? You may also like Post-Pandemic Travel Etiquette: Planning Ahead. Be sure to check out The Protocol School of Texas. Read Diane’s posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on The Huffington Post, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter.
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