Study: Vaccines Boost Traveler Confidence

Travel insurance company Allianz Partners recently released its latest survey regarding 2021 traveler confidence. The survey of 3,500 customers gauged various factors of confidence in booking trips of at least two nights more than 100 miles from home.

Customers were asked, “What will make you feel safe enough to travel again?” Sixty-seven percent of respondents said receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. In a similar survey conducted last year, only 58 percent of respondents cited receiving a vaccine as an important factor for feeling safe. Other important factors were required wearing of masks on planes and in airports (66 percent); blocked seats/limited capacity on planes, trains, etc. (59 percent); and advanced sanitizing efforts at airports, hotels, etc. (58 percent).

“It is a huge accomplishment to have three highly-effective COVID-19 vaccines in distribution throughout the U.S.,” said Daniel Durazo, director of marketing and communications, Allianz Partners USA. “Our survey finds that increased traveler confidence is a direct result of improved vaccine availability, and we are pleased to see how vaccines will impact the recovery of the travel industry and travelers’ vacation plans in 2021 and beyond.”

When asked when they anticipate traveling again, 13 percent said they are already traveling and 19 percent plan to travel within one–three months.

Respondents are planning to travel within the continental United States (56 percent) on their next trip, followed by Mexico, the Caribbean or Hawai’i (21 percent).