Hot vax summer 2.0 is on the horizon. Though 2021 didn’t exactly deliver on the hot vax summer young people expected, they’re looking forward to a hot vax summer redo in 2022 as COVID-19 cases continue dropping in the aftermath of the Omicron wave—and cities start easing pandemic restrictions. According to a recent Atlantic/Leger poll, Americans who are vaccinated and boosted are looking forward to more frequent indoor dining, partying, and socializing, and more than 40% plan to travel domestically. The state of in-person events also speaks to consumers’ anticipated hype for summer 2022: Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, and Dua Lipa are touring again; half of Americans report their credit card spending habits are back to pre-pandemic levels; and the International Air Travel association expects overall global air travel in 2022 to sit at 83% of pre-pandemic levels. But while many are expecting 2022 to be the biggest return to normal yet, YPulse’s The In-Between trend research shows over half of Gen Z and Millennials are creating a new normal rather than waiting for life to go back to exactly the way it was pre-COVID-19. (The Atlantic)
