US travellers keen to go on adventure trips
Americans are looking to travel abroad and are most interested in adventure activities, according to a recent study conducted by travel insurer battleface
Almost two-fifths of Americans (39 per cent) have either booked or plan to book an international trip for 2021 or 2022 already, and 72 per cent have either booked or looked into purchasing travel insurance, suggesting that Americans are becoming more inclined to protect their trips. That likelihood has increased significantly as travellers realise the many scenarios that can not only impact travel plans, but also result in unnecessary fees due to potential changes or issues.
The study showed that younger Americans are looking to travel internationally, with over six in ten (63 per cent) 18–24-year-olds and half (51 per cent) of 25–34-year-olds planning on it as compared to three in ten of those aged 45-54 and 55-64 who plan to do the same (both 31 per cent).
Overall, Mexico is the most popular country Americans plan to visit in 2021 or 2022 (13 per cent), followed by the Bahamas (nine per cent), Italy (nine per cent), Canada (seven per cent), and Germany (seven per cent). Research findings show that Mexico is an especially popular destination among those aged 35-44, where almost one-fifth (19 per cent) of international travellers in that age group plan on visiting the country.
Adventure travel of greatest interest to young travellers
For travellers aged 25–34, adventure travel is of greatest interest (20 per cent), with Americans also seeking culture (17 per cent), relaxation/wellness (15 per cent), and visiting family/friends (15 per cent) during their upcoming travels. Hiking appears to be one of the most popular activities when it comes to outdoor adventures, with 30 per cent of Americans stating they have plans to. Other popular activities Americans traveling internationally plan to do include fishing (22 per cent), camping (18 per cent), backpacking (17 per cent), and sailing (15 per cent). Overall, around three-fourths (73 per cent) of Americans traveling internationally in 2021 or 2022 plan on doing some sort of adventure travel.
When it comes to planning for upcoming travel, study findings showed that two-fifths of Americans travelling abroad are unaware that travel insurance is mandatory in certain countries. Awareness increases among younger demographics and three-fourths (75 per cent) of those aged 18-24 who are travelling internationally in 2021/2022 are aware travel insurance are mandatory in certain countries, compared to about half of those aged 55-64 and 60+ (55 per cent and 50 per cent, respectively). Among the countries currently requiring travel insurance are Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Dominican Republic, and Turks and Caicos.
Travel insurance requirements will not be impeding travel plans, however, with 60 per cent of Americans stating it would not prevent them from traveling abroad. This figure rises among older Americans, where nearly eight in ten (79 per cent) of those aged over 65 who are planning to travel in 2021 or 2022 would still go to a country that required travel insurance. Americans are even willing to purchase additional travel insurance with 65 per cent stating it was fairly or very likely they would.
“After so many Americans experienced abrupt changes to their travel plans last year, resulting in major losses in investments that they likely planned on for months or even years, travellers are savvier when it comes to protecting their valuable travel plans,” said Sasha Gainullin, CEO of battleface.