Most Americans Are Willing to Travel Before a Vaccine

A new survey shows that most Americans will not wait for a vaccine to resume flying or staying in hotels.

What

An extensive research report compiled by Azurite Consulting measures Americans’ willingness to engage in travel activities before the arrival of a vaccine for COVID-19, among other key economic indicators. Until there is a vaccine, 38% will not return to a theme park or aquarium; 45% will not return to a casino; 36% will not fly internationally again; 30% will not fly domestically again; and 26% will not stay in a hotel again. A quarter of avid cruisers (those who have taken 3-5 cruises between 2015-2019) say they will never cruise again. The study also finds that more than 90% of both C-suite executives and small-and-medium-sized business owners believe that the pandemic will cause them to permanently reconsider the need for business travel and in-person meetings.

Why It Matters

According to the study, business travel and cruising are not poised for quick returns. However, it is not all doom and gloom for leisure travel advisors: These figures demonstrate a willingness by most Americans to travel before a vaccine is released. Advisors who can speak confidently about travel in this new era — regarding everything from safety protocols to travel insurance — are poised to inspire trust in clients and capitalize on pent-up demand.