Almost three-quarters of Canadians polled by Booking.com would rather travel after the pandemic than receive a promotion at work or even find true love. The survey findings, which also indicate strong support for both vaccinations and the travel industry, come at a time when travellers are finally starting to have a glimmer of hope about travelling again this year due to medical advances in the battle against COVID-19.
The results of the survey are part of an in-depth global polling of 28,000 future travellers, including 1,001 from Canada – 72% of whom say that, despite knowing that the pandemic finish line hasn’t been reached just yet, they feel more hopeful about travelling in 2021.
A similar number of Canadian travellers (70%) state that not being able to travel extensively in 2020 has made them yearn for travel even more in 2021.
Key Canadian-specific findings of the survey, include:
• Despite feeling mostly optimistic, travellers acknowledge that not being able to travel in 2020 like they used to in previous years has had a significant effect on their well-being, with 49% reporting a negative impact on their mental health and 45% having felt imprisoned in their own home due to travel restrictions.
• 48% have used the increased time at home to plan future travel while 33% have banked more vacation days, so are excited about the potential of taking longer vacations in 2021.
• 50% are confident that they’ll be able to hit the beach by summer 2021; and 19% say a relaxing beach or spa trip will be the first type of trip when it’s safe to do so
• After an exhausting year only 5% will book an active trip and just 4% say a city break is a priority.
• 69% won’t travel internationally until they have been vaccinated, which rises to 77% among those 55+ years old
• 64% will only travel to countries that have implemented vaccination programs
• 35% remain skeptical as to whether a vaccine will truly help make travel safer
• 72% went so far as to state that they would rather go on a vacation in 2021 than find true love. The same amount would prioritize travelling over success at work, preferring to go on vacation than get promoted.
Support for travel industry
Meanwhile, survey respondents seem to be in consensus that governments, travellers and the wider travel ecosystem need to work together.
Following the impact that COVID-19 has had on the travel industry, 93% of Canadian travellers think the industry needs to be supported to get back on its feet. Over half (57%) believe that government financial stimuli are now needed to help travel’s recovery and 43% worry that the industry won’t survive unless it is supported with government grants.
In terms of more practical regulations, 75% state that wider access to pre-travel COVID-19 testing is needed, and 74% say that governments should collaborate with travel associations and providers to set more consistent standards.
To support the travel industry more directly, 16% of Canadian travellers plan to use travel credits/vouchers from cancelled trips instead of requesting a refund and the same number will buy vouchers for family and friends for them to use when it’s safe to travel again. Meanwhile 22% plan to choose less frequented destinations and 20% want to book independent accommodations or accommodations in or near their hometown to support local businesses (21%).
Industry partners
In a related survey, 70% of Booking.com’s accommodation partners reported being cautiously optimistic about the future of their business, though they share Canadian travellers’ mindset that the industry needs support, as the majority of them would like to see governments do more in the future to support the travel industry during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
Three key areas that need to be addressed, according to properties of all types and sizes, are more consistent international standards when it comes to travel advice and rules, speeding up vaccine roll-out program, and wider access to pre-travel COVID-19 testing.
But with 62% of accommodation providers expecting to see an increase in interest for travel for 2021, they continue to do their part to ensure travellers feel safe, with 70% having increased health and safety measures and improved cleaning processes.
Accommodation providers are not the only ones willing to roll up their sleeves, with 67% of Canadian travellers willing to accept only being able to travel if they could prove they have been vaccinated. Meanwhile 76% would accept having to wear a face mask when travelling, with 62% going as far as supporting a ‘no mask no travel’ ban (unless exempt). 72% would be willing to only travel in small groups of two to six people.