Covid still shaping traveller behaviour

Consumer data gathered by travel insurance aggregator Squaremouth.com has revealed three ways Covid-19 is still shaping traveller behaviour.

Covid leads travel insurance demand

Squaremouth reports a 181 per cent increase in travel insurance sales in January 2022, compared to January 2019, with almost half of travellers specifically looking for coverage related to Covid-19.

Nearly 40 per cent of travellers buying insurance on Squaremouth.com have indicated specifically needing Covid coverage, virtually the same percentage as in 2020, despite border openings, vaccination efforts, and shortened quarantine restrictions.

Variants cause change in concerns 

Prior to the Omicron variant, travellers expressed being most concerned about contracting the virus and having to cancel a trip.

Following the variant, and subsequent responses by countries, travellers indicated being more concerned about border closures than a Covid-related illness. Nearly 32 per cent of travellers identified border closures as their biggest concern that may cause them to cancel, while 29 per cent are most concerned about contracting the virus and being unable to travel.

Travellers scared to be stuck abroad

Although many countries remain open, some governments such as the US continue to require a negative test prior to return.

Today, the leading Covid-19-related concern of travellers is contracting Covid-19 abroad and being unable to travel home as planned. Forty-five per cent of Squaremouth travellers said they were most concerned with contracting Covid-19 during their trip, over twice as many as those concerned about contracting Covid-19 while traveling and needing medical care.