Arrivals + Departures: Year in Review 2022
After the return of travel in 2021, 2022 was a year of growth for Pack Up + Go.
Some of this transformation was visible to the public, taking the form of creating our podcast, Envelope to Exploration, rolling out our Destination Guides, relaunching our YouTube Channel, and developing our City Ambassador Program. But some of our proudest and most transformational growth was internal. We expanded our team + technology to plan even more – and even better! – Surprise Vacations. We developed new + strengthened existing partners to help us hold the traveler experience above all else. We examined all of our processes and vowed to never stop improving. We took major steps towards our goal of becoming the best U.S. travel service.
I couldn’t be more proud of the experiences we planned for our travelers, the small businesses we supported, and the growth our team underwent this year. If there’s one thing I’m sure of, it’s that 2023 promises to be full of surprises!
Happy New Year, from our team to you,
Lillian and the Pack Up + Go Team
Where We Traveled
New 2022 Destinations:
Alaska: Mat-Su Valley + Kenai Peninsula
Arizona: Scottsdale + Tucson
California: Mt. Shasta
Florida: Panhandle + Polk County
Maine: Southern Maine
New Mexico: Gila National Forest
Texas: Big Bend + Glen Rose
West Virginia: Mountaineer Country
Wisconsin: Driftless Region
*Washington, DC is the 51st state here!
Our Travelers
Traveler Stats:
Average # of Travelers per trip: 2
Median Age: 36
Most Common Age: 30
Oldest Traveler: 87
Youngest Traveler: 1
Most Travelers on a Trip: 10
Celebrations:
Anniversary: 681
Birthday: 726
Girls Trip: 331
Kid-Free Weekend: 195
Honeymoon: 104
Graduation: 34
Babymoon: 29
Top Interests:
Restaurants for Foodies: 68%
Hole-in-the-Wall: 65%
Quirky Attractions + Oddities: 63%
Cafes + Coffee Shops: 57%
Hiking: 52%
Live Music: 52%
Historic Sites: 51%
% of travelers who selected this interest
Traveler Moments
Some of our favorite reviews, photos, and moments from 2022.
“Filled with sun, surprises, and great food! Our trip and curated recommendations felt tailored to us and our interests. We were fully present and in the moment, taking the experience in day by day.”
Travelers: Emily + Christopher
Destination: Austin, TX
“I loved my trip! This was such a great experience to be able to visit a city and truly explore it. Also, I appreciated not having to plan everything! It’s such a great fun way to travel. I highly recommend.”
Travelers: Shelby + Geralyn
Destination: Denver, CO
“It was one of my favorite trips! I can't pick just one thing that was my favorite, the whole weekend was amazing. Hotel was beautiful, with a great location. The activities were the best. We will definitely do this again! We have told all of our friends about this experience and Pack Up + Go.”
Travelers: Minerva, Ashley + Janessa
Destination: Chicago, IL
“The Trip was incredible. We would've never thought of Atlanta as a must-see city, but now we will rave about the trip to everyone. The art, theatre, and history were just the base of the experience but the impeccable hospitality of locals as well as the fantastic and varied food options made Atlanta a go-to destination and likely will require a return trip. Thank you to Pack Up + Go for that!”
Travelers: Kristen + Angela
Destination: Atlanta, GA
“We absolutely loved every part of our trip! The dinner reservations were top notch and the 5-course cocktail and food pairing were out of this world! What a perfect anniversary trip!”
Travelers: Kathyrn + Nathaniel
Destination: Chicago, IL
“As a solo female traveler, I wanted to be somewhere that felt safe and made for exploration, and Charlottesville checked those boxes perfectly! My visit filled my “love of art” bucket with art exhibits, sculpture gardens, and opportunities to use my camera in natural settings. I even made glass art in a hands-on experience that I can’t wait to replicate back at home. I also thrive on the nature of a trip like this - a curated list of possibilities from Pack Up + Go but the freedom to do however much (or little) I want to do at any given time. I’m just there to soak it all in, and not having to plan it haha! 🙌”
Traveler: Lauren
Destination: Charlottesville, VA
2022 Developments
February 2022 -
Envelope to Exploration: A Pack Up + Go Podcast
You’ve experienced a Pack Up + Go Surprise Vacation, tasted the thrill of adventure, seen our travelers explore around the US, and read our blog over the last 6 years. In 2022, we were thrilled to share a new way to hear us, Envelope to Exploration our podcast!
Launched in February of this year to celebrate our Orderversary, Envelope to Exploration gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at Pack Up + Go through interviews with members of our Team, hotel and activity partners, and past travelers! Our goal is to provide interesting information, travel inspiration, and a healthy dose of wanderlust through bite-size episodes. Download anywhere you listen to podcasts!
March 2022 -
Travel Safety and Anti-Discrimination Council:
We created the Traveler Safety + Anti-discrimination Council because we believe that travel should be a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, but recognize that is not always the case.
This Council, made of members of the Pack Up + Go team from all different roles and backgrounds, works to minimize instances of discrimination and increase safety for our travelers who belong to historically marginalized communities.
The Council works to improve our processes, educate our team, and enhance the travel experience for all. Another initiative of the council this year was to help us publish our official Inclusivity Statement.
August 2022 -
New + Improved Picks Destination Guides:
Originally launched in January 2021, Pack Up + Go Picks is a way for travelers to purchase vetted, curated recommendations for Pack Up + Go destinations around the country.
In August 2022, we revamped and relaunched our Picks Destination Guides to be:
Delivered faster (Essential + Outdoors Guides are delivered instantly via email!)
More robust + accurate
Less expensive
Since then, we’ve released more than 80 different Destination Guides for city and outdoor destinations alike, and we’re adding more each week!
October 2022 -
City Ambassador Program:
In October 2022, our Flight Crew Ambassador Program was expanded to include City Ambassadors. This new program will enable us to connect with passionate travelers from around the country to share their insights and experiences about their cities.
City Ambassadors members will join for a 6-month partnership to work on a variety of campaigns and marketing initiatives, and along the way, will earn credit toward their next Pack Up + Go Surprise Vacation.
