5 OVERLANDING TRENDS TO WATCH FOR IN 2022

- 2021-12-30

For many, 2021 was something of a year in-limbo. Businesses and people (particularly in the leisure and travel industries) were trying to come to grips with adjustments and innovations required to not only survive but thrive with certain restrictions in place. We’ve peered deep into our crystal ball and have a handful of travel and overlanding trends we believe will define 2022.

1. Overlanders will strive toward (even more) self-sufficiency

With the need to disconnect and detox from our fast-paced digital lives, overlanders will seek to make the most of their precious time out in the wilderness. They will strive to be even more ‘self-reliant’ when out there, even if they aren’t that far away from home. This includes everything from power generation and water supply to learning more self-recovery skills, were they to get stuck out there.

2. Comfort and luxuries will increase

It is the little things that count and with the rise of ‘revenge travel’ (built-up demand to travel freely again post COVID restrictions), all the trends show that people are willing to spend a little bit extra on the smaller comforts that would make a trip (even a short micro adventure) that much more comfortable. Things such as the Rack Mount Shower Arm or the Drop Down Tailgate Table are a gamechanger.

3. People will take more workcations

‘Bleisure travel’ is a fancy term for the blend between leisure and business travel. With remote working so prevalent and efficient across industries, more and more people are realising the possibilities of traveling and working at the same time. There is no doubt that this travel trend will grow even more popular in 2022. It will take on various forms, from people being out in the wild (with a stable mobile internet connection and getting their work done out there) to others combining site visits and out-of-town meetings with extended stays and holidays. Along with packing more into professionals’ travel itineraries to maximise progress and productivity, the world is also experiencing a rise in the demand for “bleisure” trips. People are experiencing intense wanderlust but are finding that their holiday days and their savings are depleted, making it challenging for them to embark on the revenge travel that they are so craving.

4. Wellness travel

The past 18-months has seen a radical increase in the general understanding and appreciation of personal wellness - both physical and mental. People are prioritising their own needs and trips, retreats and overland missions tailored particularly to mental and physical wellness will no doubt increase through 2022.

5. Alternative seasons

With the increase in wanderlust and the need to make the most of available savings and leave days, we believe people will start traveling more in the ‘non-traditional’ seasons… If you want a quieter adventure in Jasper, Banff or Canmore go in the Rockies' low season which occurs from September to October, and between May to June… In Africa, peak safari season has traditionally coincided with the dry winter season (roughly from July to October). The ‘green’ shoulder season does not coincide with the summer vacation period in the northern hemisphere meaning reserve, lodge and park numbers are low, which means lower rates.