Update on American Travel in the Period of Coronavirus—Week of August 17th
Increasing feelings of safety are driving more positivity about tourism—both outbound and within their own communities. And as Americans look out to upcoming holidays, there is a gradually increasing expectation to travel for these occasions.
IMPORTANT: These findings are brought to you from our independent research, which is not sponsored, conducted or influenced by any advertising or marketing agency. Every week since March 15th, Destination Analysts has surveyed 1,200+ American travelers about their thoughts, feelings, perceptions and behaviors surrounding travel in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, and explored a variety of topics. The findings presented below represent data collected August 14th-16th.
Key Findings to Know:
- Pandemic-related health and financial safety concerns have dropped to levels last seen in mid-June. Although there are still notable levels of pessimism, less Americans are feeling the pandemic will worsen in the next month.
- The proportion of American travelers who feels comfortable going out in their own community now exceeds the proportion who do not. And they are getting more comfortable with tourism to their own communities.
- Safety perceptions of travel activities have improved overall, nearing June levels. Thus, the percent of Americans who report being in a “ready to travel” state of mind is now higher than those who report needing more time to feel ready.
- Those with trip plans for the remainder of the year are commonly prioritizing getting away from crowds and enjoying nature, in addition to spending time with loved ones.
- As Americans look out to upcoming holidays, there is a gradually increasing expectation to travel for these occasions: Labor Day (12.6%), Thanksgiving (15.8%) and Christmas (20.0%).
- Looking even further out over 2021, three-quarters of Americans have at least tentative trip plans right now. Just 25% say they have no plans to travel through 2021.
- About 30% would be up for taking a flight in the next month, although there is somewhat more comfort with direct flights than those that require a connection.
- A majority of American travelers approve of travel restriction policies imposed by state governments on travelers from high outbreak areas.
This week, Americans report feeling safer in a number of areas that affect their travel feelings and behaviors.
Pandemic-related health and financial safety concerns have dropped and are at levels last seen in mid-June. Although there are still notable levels of pessimism, less Americans are feeling the pandemic will worsen in the next month. The proportion who feel comfortable going out in their own communities exceeds the proportion who do not. And while 56.5% still do not want visitors in their communities yet, this is the lowest this sentiment has been since the week of June 15th. Also, for the first time since June 29th, the percent of Americans who said they would be happy seeing an ad promoting tourism to their community has exceeded the percent who would be unhappy.
Perceptions of how safe travel activities are have improved overall, nearing June levels. Staycation-ing and the avoidance of conferences and group meetings have declined. Given all these sentiments, the percent of Americans who report being in a “ready to travel” state of mind is now higher than those who report needing more time to feel ready.
Those with trip plans for the remainder of the year are commonly prioritizing getting away from crowds and enjoying nature in addition to spending time with loved ones. However, there is also an important proportion who are prioritizing experiencing new places and excitement in their travel.
As Americans look out over upcoming holidays, there is a gradual expectation to travel for these occasions: Labor Day (12.6%), Thanksgiving (15.8%) and Christmas (20.0%). Looking even further out over 2021, three-quarters of Americans have at least tentative trip plans. Just 25% say they have no plans to travel through 2021.
When it comes to air travel, approximately 30 percent would be up for taking a flight in the next month, although half of this group would still be nervous. There is somewhat more comfort with direct flights than those that require a connection. When asked to rate the most unsafe aspects of air travel right now, the behavior of other passengers is far and away what concerns travelers the most.
Current domestic travel restriction policies intended to curb the spread of COVID-19 seem to largely be accepted at the moment. When asked about the policies of some U.S. states requiring that travelers from high coronavirus-risk states take actions such as presenting a negative COVID-19 test or quarantining for 14 days, 62.4% of American travelers say they approve or strongly approve of such travel restrictions right now. 24.6% feel neutral and 12.9% disapprove.
