Research on the global desire to travel again has been consistent, although more than ever this number has shot up, with two thirds (66%) of global travellers hopeful for 2021 holidays in the wake of steady vaccine roll outs.
A new poll by Booking.com spanning more than 28,000 travellers across 28 countries and territories reveal that six in 10 (61%) feel confident they'd be able to hit the beach by 3Q 2021, and 64% saying that travel has become more important than it was
pre-pandemic.
This lack of travel has taken a toll on consumers' wellbeing, with 48% reporting a negative impact on their mental health and 47% having felt imprisoned in their own home due to travel restrictions. They have instead used this lull time to plan future
travel (53%), with 45% clocking accumulated vacation days for the express purpose of taking longer vacations in 2021.
Some travellers (71%) would even go as far as denying true love in order to travel once more, while 66% would pick a vacation over a promotion. This mirrors a recent survey by The Vacationer, which saw Americans giving up sex, friends and even agreeing to a night in prison — just to travel again.
When travel does resume, only 6% will book a trip with active participation elements, just 5% will prioritise city breaks, with 23% choosing instead to book a relaxing beach or spa trip.
In fact, 31% will be booking less frequented destinations and 27% want to book independent accommodations or accommodations in or near their hometown to support local businesses (20%).
Joint digital effort, one common goal
As governments wrangle with the privacy implications of introducing digital health passports, travellers believe they could help bring back travel safely, as recently shown in a study from Amadeus.
Similarly, the Booking.com survey saw 70% indicate that governments should collaborate with travel associations and providers to set more consistent standards.
Also, 72% stated that wider access to pre-travel Covid-19 testing is needed, where over half (59%) said they would not travel internationally until they have been vaccinated. Two thirds (66%) would additionally opt to travel in small groups of two to
six people.
As well, 95% of global travellers think the industry needs to be supported to get back on its feet. Two thirds (66%) believe that government financial stimuli are now needed to help travel's recovery and over half (56%) worry that the industry won't survive
unless it is supported with government grants.
As with cruise line trends, 17% of global travellers plan to use travel credits or vouchers from cancelled
trips instead of requesting a refund, and the same number will buy vouchers for family and friends for them to use when it's safe to travel again.
The January 2021 research was based on adults planning to travel in the next 12 months, polling respondents from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, UK, USA and Vietnam.