Domestic travel plans more popular for 2021
Surveys show that travellers are preferring to travel domestically in 2021, according to the Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada and Indian company ZestMoney
A recent survey conducted by the Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada (THIA) found that 80 per cent of Canadians plan to travel in 2021, but most do not plan to cross borders anytime soon. The survey of 1,000 Canadians revealed that 53 per cent of Canadians will only begin making cross-border travel plans when a Covid-19 vaccine is available.
Results found that barring a vaccine, 74 per cent of respondents want carriers, from airlines to trains, to block off seating or operate below maximum capacity to allow for physical distancing before they feel comfortable booking any travel.
Assurance from travel insurance providers wanted
Sixty-two per cent of Canadians also want assurances from their travel health insurance providers that they have appropriate coverage should they or their travel companions' contract Covid-19 while on vacation.
Twenty-nine per cent of survey respondents are willing to travel outside of Canada. Their biggest concern with travelling outside of Canada includes questions around returning safely. Of those who said they plan to travel in 2021, 25 per cent said that they would answer untruthfully to Covid-19 screening questions in order to board their flight home.
Indian travellers opt for domestic travel
Meanwhile, in India, a survey conducted by ZestMoney revealed that over 57 per cent of respondents are planning their next leisure travel in early 2021 in India. Interestingly, an increasing number of people want to opt for domestic travel. Within India, Goa (53.1 per cent), followed by Kerala (32.9 per cent) and Shimla (31.4 per cent), ranked high on the travel bucket-list. Ladakh, Kashmir, Jaipur, Agra and Mysore were the other popular destinations.
Some of the other findings of the survey were:
- Over 45 per cent of respondents said they would prefer local travel destinations and staycations over international travel in 2021
- Forty-two per cent said that they would prefer travelling by their personal car, over flights or trains
- Sixty per cent said that they would opt for a hotel over a homestay while picking an accommodation for their next trip
- Safety and hygiene ranked as a top criterion (74 per cent) while selecting a travel destination
Travel insurance industry has evolved during Covid-19
"The travel health insurance industry evolved dramatically at the pandemic's outset when March Break travel was interrupted. Support centres became the only resource for travellers scrambling to return," said Will McAleer, THIA's Executive Director and spokesperson. "The travel insurance industry is responding to consumers' needs for assurances and a growing number of our members are offering specialised Covid-19 coverage, either within or as a rider to their policies. Many companies are waiting for the Canadian government to reduce the level three travel advisory before offering new insurance products."