To travel or not to travel? Undoubtedly that is THE question millions of leisure travelers around the world are asking themselves as they spend hours thumbing through their Instagram and other social media feeds filled with spectacular visual inspiration. So, as we all await the full reopening of our industry, now is the moment for travel sellers and suppliers to more deeply understand what consumers need and expect in order to satisfy their pe
To travel or not to travel? Undoubtedly that is THE question millions of leisure travelers around the world are asking themselves as they spend hours thumbing through their Instagram and other social media feeds filled with spectacular visual inspiration. So, as we all await the full reopening of our industry, now is the moment for travel sellers and suppliers to more deeply understand what consumers need and expect in order to satisfy their pent-up wanderlust.
To do this, we asked the opinions of 8,500+ CheckMyTrip users who had traveled for leisure at least once 90 days prior to the COVID-19 travel restrictions from forty countries around the world through a quantitative and qualitative survey consisting of some fifty questions. Our main objective – to explore the leisure traveler’s mindset towards planning and purchasing upcoming travel amidst the realities of COVID-19. We also wanted to understand the impact of the new reality upon leisure traveler attitudes towards using air, hotel, rail, car rental, insurance and travel agents.
It turns out there is a very good reason to be hopeful about the travel industry’s future. Our research findings, outlined in the eBook calledDestination X: Where to Next - What Leisure Travelers Want in a COVID-19 World , show consumers have a healthy appetite for travel despite the ongoing challenges and unknowns that still lie ahead with the pandemic:
- Travelers want and have the means to get back out there. Nearly three-quarters say they want to travel within the next three months of restrictions being lifted. Even more encouraging, the same majority say they expect to have the same or more travel budget on hand. The challenge travelers face is more about when, where and how they can best venture out. For example, while 45% of NECSE travelers say they would be happy to travel immediately as soon as restrictions are lifted, those in APAC are more cautious, as only 27% feel the same. From how far, to how long to how often - travelers are clear about what they are willing to consider at this moment.
- Details increasingly matter. Traveler confidence with flying, staying at hotels and traveling by train and rental car remain overwhelmingly strong. 66% travelers surveyed say information on COVID-19 prevention measures are “very important” to know up front before they book a hotel, with 62% saying the same for air travel. Price continues to play a role in decision-making, but other COVID-19 related factors now weigh in as travelers take their time to fully evaluate both their destination and transit options. Customization and personalization are key cornerstones of the trip.
- Contingency plans are no longer optional. Travel insurance grows in prominence with young and old. At least one-third of our respondents tell us they are seeking more travel insurance coverage than before COVID-19. Specially, 79% of surveyed see insurance as a necessity when travelling internationally. Flexibility to make changes or collect refunds are just one part of the leisure traveler’s overall insurance cost benefit equation.
- Travel agents are far from passé. Travelers now place a higher premium on problem solving and support, especially for longer journeys. 70% of all those surveyed were open to custom travel experiences, either advised by travel agents or designed themselves. With an array of uncertainties still unfolding, we see the potential for travel sellers to play a bigger role in helping consumers successfully navigate their options throughout all phases of their trip experience to strengthen confidence.
Millions of travelers are out there dreaming of their next adventure in Destination X. They need all of us to help them successfully navigate through the changing border restrictions, capacity and other operational twists and turns in their path to make it happen.
Healthy traveler appetites now can only lead to strong business demand ahead. Seizing this opportunity requires a willing entrepreneurial spirit and courage to change from top to tail. Travel agents in particular must unlock new niches and spot creative opportunities to service travelers. We’re seeing innovative examples of agents adding telemedicine and pharmacy networks to leisure packages – and tour operators creating entirely new small group tours to more lesser-known (and lesser visited) destinations.
As a first step, I invite you to take a deeper look at the findings from our latest research studyDestination X: Where to Next - What Leisure Travelers Want in a COVID-19 World .You will find a downloadable eBook packed with extensive figures, charts and insights plus four helpful infographics to immerse you into the minds and hearts of your customers. Our report also highlights several key areas of opportunity for travel industry players to rethink, retool, reinvent and rebound higher than ever before. I am fully confident the travel industry can and will lead the way forward.
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