Its latest findings, based on data collected between 11-Sep-2020 and 13-Sep-2020, shows that health concerns, while strong, remain the lowest they have been during the pandemic. It says: "Perceptions of travel activities' safety - while still far from ideal - are the best they have been since the onset of the pandemic." And while we can't shake highly elevated fears of the virus' impact on the national economy, concerns about the impact of the virus on personal finances are also "their lowest level since the pandemic began".
Significantly, this lessening of fear has transferred to travel. The average rating of travel activities as "unsafe" continued to fall this week to the lowest levels they have been since 15-Mar-2020. Almost a third (over 30%) of American travellers are confident they can travel safely in the current environment, While around a quarter more (24%) feel at least somewhat confident, according to the latest research.
This has translated into a measured rise in the number of Americans who are planning travel: this week, more than three quarters (78.3%) report they have at least tentative trip plans, up from 75% last week. The percentage of those in a "ready to travel" mindset is at a pandemic-period high with more than a third (37%) agreeing they will be travelling this autumn season - up +5% from last week and returning to mid-June levels.
The findings acknowledge that there still remains opportunity for the travel industry to work together to improve safety perceptions around travel, according to Destination Analysts. Among those who travelled by commercial airline this past summer, 52.8% report feeling unsafe against Covid-19 at some point(s) during their flight. Such feelings were not as widespread while at lodging properties, but still 27.7% report feeling unsafe against the virus sometime during their stay.
However, the pandemic did appear to mute the economic impact potential of the travel that occurred this past summer. Over 56% said they decreased their spending on these trips to some degree, and 42.3% said they were more budget conscious.
The recovery of domestic travel ahead of international is evident in that one-in-five American travellers report taking a staycation this summer. While approaching two thirds (over 60%) note the staycation was mainly staying at home, the same level report doing at least one activity, such as day trips to area attractions and going to restaurants.
So much of the recovery is thought to be based around developing a vaccine for Covid-19, but the research highlights that this will not be a magic pill. When it comes to potential vaccine, less than half of American travellers (44.1%) say they would take it, although for the majority, some waiting period is preferred. Those who are currently less ready to travel are more willing to take the vaccine.
