People want to book with trusted travel providers that will deliver on their experiences, keep them safe, and protect their financial investments, new global research reveals.
Positive sentiment on vaccine passports, increased budgets, and an enduring demand for safety and financial security are highlighted in the Expedia Group study based on the views of 8,000 people in eight countries including the UK and US.
Travel is becoming a financial priority as the pandemic becomes more controlled in many parts of the world. More than a third (34%) have larger travel budgets now compared to 2020.
Nearly one in five respondents globally (18%) expect travel to be the activity they spend most on in 2021, on par with major spending items such as home renovation (18%) and ahead of entertainment (12%), buying or taking care of a car (11%), or healthcare (11%).
Additionally, more than third (36%) say they would trade a pay raise for more holiday days.
Travellers are also thinking differently about the frequency and length of travel.
More than half (60%) are opting for domestic travel in the short-term, however they are planning to get away more often, with 41% wanting more frequent, shorter, trips.
The outlook for international travel is also improving, with more than a quarter (27%) of travellers considering a trip to another country in the next year.
Almost three-quarters (71%) of travellers are comfortable showing a vaccine passport to travel internationally.
An increased desire for new and different experiences over “nostalgic” destinations, has emerged with three-quarters (75%) of travellers likely to select a travel destination they have never been to before.
More than half (52%) are likely to use a new mode of transportation, and nearly a quarter (22%) are looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience on their next trip.
Nearly three in five travellers (59%) are willing to pay higher fees to make their trip more sustainable, and two-thirds (65%) are more likely to book with travel providers that have inclusive policies.
Expedia for business president Ariane Gorin said: “As vaccination rates rise and borders open across the globe, people are ready and eager to travel.
“However, the months of uncertainty are weighing on their travel decisions and shifting the conventional belief that price is the top driver of bookings.
“These insights show people want to book with trusted travel providers that will deliver on their experiences, keep them safe, and protect their financial investments.”