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Travelling in COVID time: what changed?
In a nuthshell
After a series of lock-down and weeks of social distancing, we are longing for some normality and vacations and wondering how travelling in COVID time looks like.
The Boutique Vibe asked more than 400 persons across 52 countries about their travel intentions for the coming months.
The survey shows that despite the confusion and uncertainty, most people are longing for their next trip. COVID-19 will shape the choice of destination, as the trip will be decided following safety and health measures as well as local regulations.
Travelling in COVID time despite the uncertainty
32% of the travelers are willing to travel more to experience the world – opening up a big opportunity for destinations and hoteliers to better market their unique value proposition and move away from the “standardized” solutions.
While a lot of discussion evolve around COVID-19 testing and antibodies testing – the report shows that merely ¼ of the travelers are willing to wait for antibodies testing before they travel, while less than 1/3 is willing to wait for vaccines to become commercially available before they embark on.
As a result, only a small percentage (14%) would consider any travel plan before at least 6 months after the restrictions are lifted, while the majority would resume their travel plans within 3 months, mainly to reconnect with family and friends (49%) and for vacation (34%).
With the risk of disruption during travel, single travellers are willing to travel sooner while families prefer to wait longer to ensure the situations are stable.
Where to travel ? Safety first !
The pandemic has clearly influenced the way we would select our next travel destination.
Offering and destination’s attractions come only as of the third criteria of choice, while safety and security of the destination is by far the main driver followed by the rules and regulations put in place.
More than ever, senior travellers (aged 60+) and families take into serious consideration the quality of the healthcare system (40%).
After long stay-home mandates and social distancing measures, people would look to open-air destinations and connection with nature. Having said that, seasonality plays also a big role in the expressed preference. For their next trip, travellers dream of refreshing sea breeze (69%), greenery of the countryside (46%) and mountain’s fresh air (43%), while urban trips are totally disregarded by 67% of the respondents.
Travelling in COVID era? Yes but safety first!
To read the full report Click here.