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Where to travel in 2022: Top trending travel destinations around the world may surprise you

Face protection mask and travel documents over trolley bag. Travel and flight rules during coronavirus pandemic crisis in Europe and world

As travel restrictions continue to be loosened in many parts of the world and travellers feel more comfortable thinking about their next trip, there is one core question to answer, where should we go?

According to Travel Predictions 2022 research from Booking.com, through an online poll of 24,055 adults globally in August, who plan to travel for business or leisure in the next 12 to 24 months, 63 per cent of respondents believe they need to “make up for lost vacation time.”

Additionally, 58 per cent agree it’s important that their trip is “beneficial to the destination's local community," specifically how their tourism spending will "affect or improve local communities."

According to Booking.com, these are the top trending destinations for travellers to explore in 2022:

Skyline of downtown Atlanta Georgia USA in the evening
Skyline of downtown Atlanta Georgia USA in the evening

Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.

Georgia’s capital city has been touted as a great place for an urban adventure, dubbed the “cultural centre of the South,” particularly for music and entertainment lovers. Atlanta is home to a popular nightlife scene and great restaurants, making it a top destination for any visitors to the U.S.

Taichung Taiwan - December 10, 2016: People visit Lecheng temple in Taichung Taiwan. Lecheng temple has been declared a category three historical site by Taiwan's national government.
Taichung Taiwan - December 10, 2016: People visit Lecheng temple in Taichung Taiwan. Lecheng temple has been declared a category three historical site by Taiwan's national government.

Taichung, Taiwan

Taiwan’s second-largest city is an architectural dream. A must-see is the 200-year-old Lecheng Temple, but there are also more modern sites like the National Taichung Theater, nicknamed “the most difficult house to accomplish.” Take a ride on the Hou-Feng bike path, explore the Feng Chia Night Market, there’s so much to see.

Gramado, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil - December 29, 2016: Photograph of Gramado with the decoration of Christmas. Image taken two days before the Reveillón. In the image we can see several tourists visiting the city and shopping taking into account that the trade at this time of year is very busy.
Gramado, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil - December 29, 2016: Photograph of Gramado with the decoration of Christmas. Image taken two days before the Reveillón. In the image we can see several tourists visiting the city and shopping taking into account that the trade at this time of year is very busy.

Gramado, Brazil

This city is one of 13 municipalities that make up the "Romantic Route" region of southern Brazil. Likened to a “quaint Swiss village,” Gramado even has restaurants that specialize in fondue. The city is praised for its charm, alpine-style lodges, picturesque snowfall in the winter and lush mountains in the summer.

Streets of Santo Domingo in Historic Colonial district Dominican Republic
Streets of Santo Domingo in Historic Colonial district Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Old and new, historic and modern, come together in this city. The Colonial City neighbourhood of Santo Domingo was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990, while the city as a whole is celebrated for its eclectic neighbourhoods and booming food scene.

Bran, Transylvania – 14 October, 2017: This Medieval castle in the center of Romania is believed to have once held Vlad the Impaler prisoner. The infamous Romanian ruler was immortalized as the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel, “Dracula,” and thanks to this loose link to the famous vampire, Bran Castle is popularly known in the region and beyond as “Dracula’s Castle.” Bran Castle was built between 1377 and 1388 atop a strategic site overlooking a heavily trafficked mountain pass between Transylvania and Wallachia, the land over which Vlad the Impaler ruled in the 15th century.

Brașov, Romania

Vampire lovers, this one's for you. The city is known for its gothic, baroque and renaissance architecture but has one main attraction. This 13th-century city, in the heart of Transylvania, is near Bran Castle, referred to as “Dracula's Castle” because it fits Bram Stoker’s description of the Count’s castle.

LLANDUDNO - SEPTEMBER 08: A general view of Llandudno town seafront prior to the 17th Tour of Britain 2021, Stage 4 a 210km stage from Aberaeron to Great Orme, Llandudno 130,6m / @TourofBritain / #TourofBritain / on September 08, 2021 in Llandudno, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
LLANDUDNO - SEPTEMBER 08: A general view of Llandudno town seafront prior to the 17th Tour of Britain 2021, Stage 4 a 210km stage from Aberaeron to Great Orme, Llandudno 130,6m / @TourofBritain / #TourofBritain / on September 08, 2021 in Llandudno, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Llandudno, U.K.

London may be the obvious city to visit in the U.K. but don’t be afraid of exploring more in 2022, including the Welsh town of Llandudno. Known as "The Queen of the Welsh Watering Places," this seaside town is a great place to explore beaches, the longest pier in Wales and elegant seafront architecture.

Jardin du Peyrou à Montpellier, France
Jardin du Peyrou à Montpellier, France

Montpellier, France

On the Mediterranean coast of southern France, Montpellier epitomizes majestic landscapes and craftsmanship. Walk down Promenade du Peyrou, explore local food markets and shops, and make a stop at Musée Fabre to see some 15th century art.

Malacca,Malaysia - April 21,2019 : The night market on Friday,Saturday and Sunday is the best part of the Jonker Street, it sells everything from tasty foods to cheap keepsakes
Malacca,Malaysia - April 21,2019 : The night market on Friday,Saturday and Sunday is the best part of the Jonker Street, it sells everything from tasty foods to cheap keepsakes

Melaka, Malaysia

Melaka (previously Malacca) is one of the more popular tourist destinations in Malaysia. Visitors come specifically to explore Jonker Walk, the lively night market. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, the city is celebrated for its ancient buildings and local Nyonya cuisine.

Travellers ready to meet new people in 2022

Now that we know about the trendiest places to go in 2022, after almost two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s no surprise that 60 per cent of 24,055 global respondents in the Travel Predictions 2022 research from Booking.com are looking forward to meeting new people while on vacation.

Even more than that, 50 per cent of these respondents indicated that they are hoping for a vacation romance on their next trip, while 79 per cent said travel “helps their mental and emotional wellbeing more than other forms of self-care.”

While many people may have been inclined to fire off a few emails while on vacation in the past, in a post-COVID world, it looks like that won’t be the case. Booking.com found that 73 per cent of travellers globally intend for future vacations to be “strictly work-free.”

“In 2022 we’ll see a significant rise in people wanting to firmly re-establish a healthy work-life balance,” the information published by Booking.com reads.

In terms of technology use, while travellers won't be using it for work, 64 per cent believe technology will be "more important than ever" on vacation, including monitoring and managing any possible health risks while abroad.