INTERNATIONAL REPORT—The MMGY Travel Intelligence team has updated it tracking survey monitoring the impact of COVID-19 on the travel intentions of U.S. business and leisure travelers. This survey measures current and future traveler sentiment amid the COVID-19 pandemic and tracks trends and shifts in travel intentions. The study polls respondents for both domestic and international travel intent by purpose and type.
Key findings from the Oct. 5 update:
- While half of respondents are still “somewhat” concerned about contracting the virus, the percentage who are “extremely” concerned dropped from 31% to 26%.
- Respondents’ likelihood to take a domestic leisure trip during the next six months reached another high, with 45%, reporting they are at least somewhat likely to do so, up from 41% last month.
- The likelihood of taking an international leisure trip during the next six months also reached a new high, with 25% of respondents now likely to do so, up from 18% last month.
- The likelihood of staying in a hotel/resort or vacation home/condo increased from last month, up two and four points, respectively.
- One-quarter (23%) of respondents are likely to visit a theme park during the next six months—the highest incidence observed since the survey’s inception in March.
- The likelihood of participating in various entertainment activities during the next six months, including attending an outdoor concert/festival or an outdoor sporting event, increased.
- The availability of a vaccine would have the greatest impact on respondents’ decisions about future travel. Consent to receive the vaccine remains problematic, however: Half of respondents (49%) would wait at least a few months to get it, while 11% state they would not consent to being vaccinated at all.
- Respondents are increasingly receptive to attractive travel deals: 39% report “great travel deals” would influence their decision to travel, up from 33% last month.