Survey: Covid-19 Vaccines Paramount for US Travel Industry Recovery

Photo source: Destination Analysts

The role of vaccination in the recovery of US travel and tourism from the impact of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic is considered paramount, with over half (53 percent) of American travelers saying that they would avoid travel until vaccines are made available, a survey by Destination Analysts reveals.

Although financial worries remain elevated, Americans’ anxiety about contracting the coronavirus is down. “For the first time, optimism about the course the pandemic will take in the United States over the next month significantly outweighing pessimism,” the research firm said.

Nevertheless, Americans are frequently experiencing burn out and cabin fever and thus may need travel more than ever.

Emphasizing the relationship between vaccination rollout and travel volume, the data also showed that over a third (36.1 percent) of parents with school-age children say they will skip the family vacation this summer if their kids are not vaccinated.

Nevertheless, the availability of the vaccines continues to be a source of hope—62.5 percent say they make them more optimistic about life resuming to normalcy in the next six months and 56.3 percent say they make them more optimistic that they can travel safely in the same period.

Meanwhile, as of this week (February 8), 81.2 percent of American travelers report they have at least tentative trip plans right now, and 60 percent have taken some action in the planning tasks for their next trip.

Furthermore, about half of Americans anticipate taking at least one leisure trip within the next three months. In looking at the accommodations they expect to stay in on these upcoming trips, hotels are most common.

Travel to serve as salve

Although the state of Americans’ mental health may be less than ideal, the Destination Analysts survey suggests that travel could serve as salve. American travelers’ primary motivations for taking their next trip are far and away to relax and escape stress (45.7 percent), and spend time with family (43.2 percent).

The average level of excitement about travel in 2021 is even slightly greater than at the start of the year (5.9 vs 5.8). Very importantly, Americans remain in a state of openness to travel inspiration that is greater than any other period in the last 11 months (6.0/10).

Staying safe from infection remains a top priority for Americans as they consider their lifestyle over the next six months. Compared to the early period of the pandemic last spring, more Americans say they will prioritize having new experiences, as well.

Based in San Fransisco, Destination Analysts is a travel and tourism market research firm, that every week conducts independent research on American travelers about their thoughts, feelings, perceptions and behaviors surrounding travel in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Its latest findings represent data collected between February 5-7.