MMGY Travel Intelligence released a survey showing signs of increasing numbers of travelers intending to make plans after the pandemic passes. MMGY’s Traveler Intentions Pulse Survey, commissioned by U.S. Travel Association, was conducted biweekly (as of March 27) among 1,200 U.S. residents who took an overnight trip (business or leisure) in the past 12 months. The survey’s second wave was conducted April 4–11, and the third wave April 17–22.
According to the study, road trips and closer-to-home destinations will likely see the most tourism recovery, once travel restrictions lift.
The percentage of travelers who claimed they are more likely to travel by car after COVID-19 went from 35 percent in Wave II to 47 percent in Wave III. The percentage of those more likely to choose travel destinations close to home increased from 36 percent in Wave II to 42 percent in Wave III — especially true for older travelers.
Other highlights of the survey include:
- Slowing COVID-19’s worldwide spread and the CDC reducing risk advisory levels is the most important factor in deciding travel in the next six months. Travelers are eager for travel restrictions to be lifted before making a travel decision — this percentage (travelers who indicated travel restrictions impact their decision to travel) increased from 45 percent in Wave II to 53 percent in Wave III.
- Interest in travel may be eclipsed by concerns about safety or an ability to pay for it. Six in 10 respondents agree they are eager to travel for leisure after the COVID-19 crisis passes, up from 54 percent in Wave II, while 38 percent say they are likely to take a leisure trip in the next six months.
- According to Wave III results, travelers were slightly less concerned about contracting COVID-19 than they were two weeks prior, including others in their household contracting the virus, which dropped from 40 percent in Wave II to 34 percent in Wave III.
- Travelers aged 50–64 are still among the age group least concerned.
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