Furry friends and luxurymoons: Hitched predicts the top trends for holidays and honeymoons in 2022
As couples continue to plan their big day and look ahead to the next year following the lifting of travel restrictions in the UK, Hitched, a leading wedding planning website, today reveals the key holiday and honeymoon trends it expects to see soar in 2022.
As engaged and married couples get back into the swing of planning their dream honeymoons, Hitched predicts that travel will be back on the agenda in a big way next year with last-minute deals and value-added upgrades, as well as the addition of new furry friends.
Hitched’s holiday and honeymoon trends for 2022
Pet Friendly Honeymoons
Lockdown saw a boom in pet ownership, with 3.2 million households in the UK acquiring a furry friend during the pandemic. With couples firmly in love with the new additions to their family, many now can't imagine celebrating their big day or their honeymoon without them. In 2022, Hitched expects to see more hotels, B&Bs and Airbnb accommodation moving towards having pet-friendly rooms.
While animals can be taken abroad with a valid health certificate, pet-friendly holidays soared in the UK this summer, meaning many couples may be sticking to the UK and Ireland with their pooches for their honeymoons². There’s a huge selection of incredible pet-friendly hotels, pubs and cafes in the UK, making it easy to still travel in style. The UK also has some of the best walks in the world - which are made infinitely better with the addition of a dog.
Should consumers want to go abroad, most pets are allowed on planes, trains and ferries, but the Eurostar does not currently allow dogs. Hitched advises researching how to cross the Channel if you don’t plan to fly, as driving on the Eurotunnel may be the best option. However, pet owners should consider whether this will be stressful for their animal; as it can be easier to hop on trains or do a short car journey in the UK and have just as amazing a trip.
Last-Minute Luxurymoons
Minimoons soared in popularity during the pandemic as couples couldn't fly abroad³ and despite the world opening back up, minimoons will still be big business in 2022 with a luxury and last-minute makeover.
Travel operators and luxury hotels adapted to last minute bookings as Covid restrictions changed and, as a result, couples can still expect to find amazing last-minute deals and value-added upgrades in 2022, especially in popular short-haul destinations like Greece, Croatia, Portugal and Italy. This means a luxurymoon that was previously out of budget could be more affordable for 2022.
Honeymooners can also expect tourist favourites like Rome and Venice to entice them in with romantic packages, while less visited spots like Montenegro offer fantastic deals to get themselves on the radar.
Island Privacy
Although social distancing will likely have much less of an effect on travel in 2022, Hitched has found couples are leaning towards tranquil, secluded destinations where they can claim their own space. Islands like Bali, Mauritius and those dotted off the shores of Thailand offer peace and quiet in luxury, relaxed surroundings where couples can chill without distractions.
In 2022, Hitched expects couples will be looking beyond the usual destinations to find these hidden hideaways in countries such as Mozambique and will also be exploring business class travel as newlyweds look to travel in style and splash out on extra space to fly in comfort. Fewer passengers in the business class section and access to a private lounge can be comforting for those nervous about plane travel and Covid.
Editor of Hitched, Sarah Allard comments: “We have been overjoyed seeing weddings return in a big way over the recent months, and now that travel is back on the agenda, we are so pleased that couples can now confidently plan their dream honeymoons.
“It’s really exciting to look ahead at what trends we can expect to see over the next 12 months and how couples will be adapting to wedding freedom. With so many different ideas and options, the possibilities are endless when it comes to honeymoon planning!”
To read more about Hitched’s 2022 wedding trend predictions, visit www.hitched.co.uk. For couples looking to both start or continue their wedding journey in 2021 and beyond, they can visit Hitched for tools, news, trends and ideas to make their big day a success.
