Travelling has reduced in COVID-19? Here’s Why You Are Wrong

With the ease in COVID-19 travel restrictions, the tourism sector has seen a great upsurge. Travel volumes have rebounded, with change in consumer comfort levels – and priorities. Travel planning data of current times signals all together a different approach of the tourists.

Domestic travel demand improved significantly in Europe and parts of South-east Asia this summer. The number of unique domestic users clicking to book a hotel each week has even started to exceed 2019 demand in over twenty countries.  Restaurant traffic in most major European markets trended upwards.

While these statistics are encouraging, we are well aware of the current COVID-19 situation in the world and arrival of its second wave. Thus, it is difficult to predict whether the above mentioned consumer travel behaviours are temporary or will continue in a similar manner beyond pandemic.

A report released recently the Pacific Asia Travel Association shows that health and safety precautions are now a more significant factor where consumers choose to stay in a safe place than price, and that heavily influences the type of destinations they are willing to travel to. 72% of travelers polled in the region said they are taking into account a destination’s culture of social responsibility towards preventing the spread of the virus before deciding whether to go or not, and 73% are looking for the opportunity to avoid crowded places when traveling.

Nature-rich destinations such as national parks and beaches, campgrounds and farmhouses, have benefited from the returning demand. In other words, consumers feel most confident about traveling to places where contact with other people can either be minimized or controlled in a way that lowers the risk of infection.

(The above article has been written from the data collected World Economic Forum from Tripadvisor.)