May 01, 2020
A new survey shows that most Americans will not wait for a vaccine to resume flying or staying in hotels.
What
Before a COVID-19 vaccination is available, Americans' willingness to travel is measured in a comprehensive research report put together by Azurite Consulting, along with other important economic variables. 38% of people said they won't go back to a theme park or aquarium, 45% won't go back to a casino, 36% won't fly internationally again, 30% won't fly domestically again, and 26% won't stay in a hotel again until there is a vaccine. One-fourth of frequent travelers (those who took three or more voyages between 2015 and 2019) say they won't go on another trip. More than 90% of C-suite executives and owners of small and medium-sized businesses, according to the report, think that the epidemic will permanently make them reevaluate the necessity of business travel and in-person meetings.
Why It Matters
The study concluded that both business travel and cruising are not expected to see quick returns. There is some good news for leisure travel consultants, though: These numbers show that the majority of Americans are willing to travel before a vaccine is made available. Advisors that can comfortably discuss travel in this new era, including everything from safety procedures to trip insurance, are well-positioned to earn customers' trust and take advantage of unmet demand.
