Travellers confident despite inflation, disruption and Covid

Sixty-eight per cent of respondents to the survey have already travelled internationally since the pandemic, with 16 per cent of the remainder expecting to travel abroad by the end of the year, or in the first quarter of 2023 (nine-per-cent).

Nearly 80 per cent of travellers surveyed said that the threat of a new Covid variant is unlikely to make them cancel or postpone international travel this year.

Inflation similarly has had a minimal impact on traveller confidence – 79 per cent of respondents said that it will not affect their travel plans.

Flight disruption due to incidents of staff shortage among pilots, flight attendants, gate agents and ground crews has affected traveller sentiment more strongly – however despite this, a majority (58 per cent) of survey respondents said that they have not been affected by the disruption.

Spending more, or being more cost-effective?

A fifth (21 per cent) of travellers also planned to spend more time and money on trips to make up for curtailed travel due to the pandemic. However, many other travellers have reduced their spending in response to growing concerns about the cost of living.

Due to inflation and higher travel costs, a fifth (20 per cent) of respondents also reported that they have replaced a planned international trip with a less expensive alternative, while among domestic travellers, more than a quarter (28 per cent) have also downgraded their trip to a less expensive one.

Additionally, 21 per cent said that they will travel for fewer days, while 19 per cent plan to fly on less expensive tickets. Fifteen-per-cent report that they will stay in less expensive accommodation, while 12 per cent will eat out less often, or at less expensive restaurants.

Six percent are greatly reducing or not buying souvenirs or gifts during their trip, while three-per-cent will skip buying travel insurance.

“Whether it’s revenge travel or responsible travel following vaccination – or a combination of both – seven out of 10 travelers are much less concerned about travel compared to the beginning of the pandemic,” said Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue and a member of the US Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the US Department of Commerce. “They feel safe enough to plan trips and vacations because they’re vaccinated, borders are open and they have confidence they’ll be able to get home if the worst happens.”

“They are eager to regain their family vacations, adventure travels and business trips. By overwhelming margins, they are pressing forward with international and domestic travel despite rising costs and airline staff shortages. They are confident they’ll be able to travel and return home,” he added.