The JOM! team looks at what 2022 has in store for travellers and the travel industry


Until the Covid-19 pandemic is well and truly behind us, the term "revenge holiday" is likely to be a catchword and common part of our vocabulary.

The hype of the revenge holiday started even before the government totally lifted the interstate and international travel restrictions on Oct 10, which marked the end of the 132-day Movement Control Order 3.0.

Having been locked up since May, cabin fever broke when the government gradually allowed movements between districts before expanding to states that were in Phase 4 under the National Recovery Plan.

Revenge holiday reached its peak when Langkawi became the first destination to open to fully vaccinated tourists — local and foreign — without the need to quarantine, under the tourism bubble project.

Within two weeks, from the day it opened its doors on Sept 16, Langkawi received a total of 38,748 tourists at all its entry points — Langkawi International Airport (26,377 tourists), Kuah Jetty (7,480) and Tanjung Lembung Wharf (4,891). This translated to RM15.97 million in revenue in just two weeks!

Up to Nov 30, the island received a total of 204,953 domestic tourists with total tourism revenue of more than RM211 million under the travel bubble initiative.

Down south, on Nov 29, the highly anticipated Malaysia-Singapore Vaccinated Travel Lane scheme paved the way for quarantine-free travel between the two countries.

The entry of foreign tourists, the first since borders closed almost two years ago, continued amid the warnings that Covid-19 cases may rise again, particularly with the global spread of the Omicron variant.

To minimise the spread of the variant, the government initially banned entry of travellers from eight African countries, but the restriction was removed on Dec 28.

Malaysia aims to reopen its doors and offer quarantine-free arrivals to international visitors come Jan 1, as part of the government's efforts to accelerate recovery of the tourism industry.

This move is vital as the industry is estimated to lose RM165 billion in tourist expenditure this year, as it came to almost a standstill since last year due to the pandemic. Last year, the country recorded RM135 billion in losses.

Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri was reported as saying that the increase in losses might also be due to the implementation of MCO 3.0, which had effectively disabled interstate, inter-district and international tourism activities in the first half of this year.

Nevertheless, as the tourism industry looks forward to the dawn of 2022, Malaysian travellers are still playing it safe when planning their travels, even for "Cuti-cuti Malaysia", let alone overseas trips.

While Covid-19 quarantine and test requirements discouraged trips abroad, many domestic trips were family-oriented and outdoor or nature-based.

So, what does the year 2022 have in store for us, both the industry and the travellers?

BEACH, PLEASE

So many travellers are psyched about getting back out there, and based on an insight by American online travel company Tripadvisor, there are over 66,000 trips with "2022" in the title already saved!

And, after almost two years of staying indoors due to lockdowns, it's no surprise that many are longing for a sunshine holiday.

Beachside destinations are among top searches in Tripadvisor, and among the favourite sunny destinations searched by travellers are Honolulu, Hawaii; Cancun, Mexico; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic as well as Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

Back home, Langkawi and Terengganu's Redang and Perhentian were some of the islands most visited when the travel ban was lifted.

In fact, Berjaya's The Taaras Beach & Spa Resort in Redang has already got back on track selling all-inclusive packages, including flight tickets to the island via Berjaya Air scheduled commercial flights.

On the mainland, hotels at beachside destinations such as Port Dickson in Negri Sembilan and Desaru in Johor were almost fully booked throughout the month of December.

Judging by its ever-steady popularity this year, "vitamin sea"-rich holiday destinations will continue to stay at the top of the list of most-favoured destinations.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Besides islands and beaches, travellers are also looking for outdoor experiences, including camping and unique forest-themed homestays.

Internationally, based on bookings done on Tripadvisor this year, outdoor experiences rose over 50 per cent in 2021 compared with 2019, with destinations like Arizona in the United States growing by 116 per cent and Ontario, Canada by 313 per cent.

The outdoor scene at home is also getting more attention from Malaysians, who seem to be yearning to get the fresh, crisp air after being cooped up at home for months as evident by the mushrooming of Malaysia-based outdoor or hiking groups and pages on Facebook.

Since not all are willing to sacrifice basic comforts, glamping (read: a comfortable, some even luxurious, outdoor experience) becomes a fitting answer.

Among those that offer such outdoor lodging is Glow Glamping, which is located in the Putrajaya Wetlands Park. Making it a full "hotel" experience, a Glow glamping unit is offered at RM168 per night, per adult, including four buffet meals.

Other glamping accommodations worth checking out include Glamz at Genting in Pahang, Sea Horizon Resort in Kota Tinggi, Johor and Gopeng Glamping Park in Perak.

SUSTAINABLE ECO-TOURISM

The travel revolution is heralding new economic and social opportunities for off-the-beaten-path rural destinations.

A research by Economist Impact, commissioned by Airbnb, shows a vast majority of Malaysians wanting to travel in ways that positively benefit local communities, both economically and socially.

Based on the study, 73 per cent of Malaysians say it's important that they create a positive impact for locals, with over 60 per cent saying it's important that they're not contributing to issues such as over-tourism.

The rise of these "conscious travellers" presents an opportunity for communities to not only grow their local economies off the back of the travel rebound, but also welcome an evolving form of empowering, win-win tourism that emphasises genuine connection.

On top of that, 70 per cent say they will be more conscious when it comes to familiarising themselves with what's important to the communities they're visiting, and how they can make a contribution.

Economist Impact senior manager for Policy and Insights, Pratima Singh, says following the pandemic, travellers are thinking more about the implications of their travel choices and decisions.

"We're seeing a trend, where people are attempting to make their travel decisions more sustainable — economically, culturally and environmentally — and hoping to have a more positive impact by benefiting local communities," she says.

The research also highlights how the travel revolution is presenting new opportunities for rural areas, particularly those in emerging economies, as travellers become more open to exploring new ways of travelling and living.

It is said that half of the total respondents plan to travel more frequently to rural destinations that are not popular among tourists.

In Malaysia, creating equitable outcomes and income for locals, as well as engaging with new social experiences and meaningful connections, emerged as the top two most important aspects of sustainable travel for those surveyed.

In line with the research, Airbnb has on its site a number of local experiences, which include cooking as well as arts and crafts classes, introduction and hiking tours. There are also walking and cycling tours that focus on landmarks and cultures.

These fun experiences are Airbnb's sustainable tourism efforts to help local hosts with their businesses.

THEMED STAYCATIONS

Themed rooms are definitely making a comeback next year. Remember the Hello Kitty-themed rooms at Jen Hotel in Puteri Harbour, Johor?

While those cutely designed rooms are no longer in the market, Legoland Hotel is still in the game to offer fun-filled themed rooms full of Lego bricks, pirates, knights, mummies and ninjas for staycation-loving Malaysians.

Now, adding to the list is the Barbie Ultimate Staycation by Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur — the first of its kind in Malaysia, which debuted on Dec18.

The hotel offers 14 rooms, comprising Barbie Room and Barbie Suite, that have been transformed into a realm of Barbie with every corner in sight bathed in the iconic pink palette and celebrating Barbie's careers.

Hotel general manager Olivier Lenoir believes the Barbie Ultimate Staycation will inspire guests across all ages as "guests are always in search of something new".

"It's a privilege to share what we stand for through something more than just words — a unique experience, whereby guests can validate these values themselves," he says.

Going all out on the Barbie theme, Barbie Cafe is an exclusive F&B outlet befitting the theme, offering photogenic wonders; one with Barbie written all over it.

On a different theme, the five-star hotel has also introduced The Grand Getaway dining experience for those who yearn to enjoy a full-on inflight experience.

Blending fine dining, special effects and visual ambience, the experience creates a one-of-a-kind dining journey that lavishly transports diners around the world and lets their senses take flight — all while being on a transformed ground.

The Grand Getaway is the birth of an immersive 360º LED technology with avant-garde audio-visual effects engineered to enhance one's vision of being a luxe flight passenger complemented by a full-course dining expedition.

For a more affordable themed staycation, Melaka offers Fantasy Hotel — a unique boutique hotel with cute themed rooms of cartoon characters such as Doraemon, Marvel Avengers, and even sailors themes for below RM100 per night!

Treat yourself for a holiday using Hotels.com Promo Code to enjoy further markdowns on hotel rooms.