International travel in 2022 to surpass pre-pandemic levels, survey finds
Insurer and assistance provider International Medical Group (IMG) has released the results of its Travel Outlook Survey that evaluated the 2022 travel plans and trends of IMG customers who have previously travelled internationally
The results of the survey reveal that 96 per cent of respondents plan to travel internationally in 2022, an 11-per-cent increase over pre-pandemic travel levels.
“It is clear that people are feeling more comfortable traveling abroad and are ready to take the international trips they have had to delay over the last couple of years,” said IMG Chief Commercial Officer, Amanda Winkle. “At IMG, we’re well positioned to meet this rising demand for international travel with industry-leading insurance products that protect travellers from the unexpected.”
Travellers want to protect themselves and their trip expenses while travelling in 2022. Fifty-three per cent of respondents are more likely to purchase a travel protection/travel medical plan due to the risks, concerns, and impacts of Covid-19 and 43 per cent are just as likely to purchase a plan as they were before the onset of the pandemic. Benefits travellers consider most important in an insurance plan prior to traveling are:
- Medical insurance benefits
- Trip cancellation/interruption benefits
- CFAR/IFAR benefits.
“Covid-19 has focused everyone’s mind on travel and health safety and the fact that they can become ill or injured while they are traveling or before they plan to travel, resulting in a need to cancel their trip,” said IMG Chief Medical Officer, Dr Geoff Tothill. “Traveling is still such a joy, but now many people are understanding that when they travel, they really need to be properly protected with the appropriate insurance coverage.”
While travellers are ready to get out and sightsee around the world, the top five countries respondents plan to travel to next include:
- Mexico
- Canada
- France
- Italy
- Portugal.
“After being stuck at home for the last few years, we are seeing people take more extravagant or once-in-a-lifetime trips as they get back to traveling internationally,” said IMG President and CEO, Steve Paraboschi. “As people invest more in their travels, they want robust insurance policies to protect all aspects of their trip, and IMG is here to provide such travel and health safety solutions.”