Europeans remain positive about travelling during COVID-19

Rising COVID-19 cases and the Delta variant might have been affecting the EU lately, but travel sentiment among Europeans has remained high over the summer. Almost 70 per cent of Europeans surveyed stated they have plans to travel between July 2021 and January 2022, while significantly fewer expressed unwillingness (17 per cent) or uncertainty (15 per cent) about travelling in the short-term. This is according to the latest research on ‘Monitoring Sentiment for Domestic and Intra-European Travel – Wave 8’¹ by the European Travel Commission (ETC), which provides timely insights on Europeans’² travel intentions and preferences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 vaccine shows the way to steady tourism recovery

The COVID-19 vaccine remains an essential prerequisite for traveller confidence and booking behaviour. Recent vaccination rollouts allowed more than half (54 per cent) of Europeans to feel much more optimistic regarding trip planning within the next months, with only 21 per cent expressing scepticism.

Furthermore, one in two Europeans plan to book a trip as soon as they are vaccinated. At the same time, more than half (57 per cent) of the respondents expect the EU Digital COVID Certificate to facilitate planning their next trip and crossing borders, while only 18 per cent doubt that it will ease and simplify their travel experience.

Outdoor holidays are top choice for intra-EU travel

The holiday mood and adaptation to COVID-19 travel restrictions have boosted demand for leisure travel to its highest point (72 per cent of ‘early-bird’ travellers³) since this research began. At the same time, the strong appeal of the outdoors accelerated people’s desire for an extended summer season. Over 20 per cent of surveyed Europeans plan to embark on trips in October or November 2021 and spend time at the coast or in nature.

The survey shows that interest in intra-EU travel has also grown to its highest level since last summer (2020). Over half (53 per cent) of Europeans with short-term travel plans prefer to visit another European country, with Italy, Spain, France, Greece and Croatia at the top of their destination wish list. However, the share of Europeans favouring domestic trips remains solid (35 per cent). Of note is that travellers in the 54 plus age group are more likely to travel within their own country than those in the 18 to 24 age range (44 per cent vs. 27 per cent).

Europeans are more comfortable with travelling as they adjust to life during the COVID-19 pandemic

In recent months, the share of travellers who have booked their entire trip has increased by 31 per cent over the previous survey, a clear sign of consumer confidence and the tourism offer returning in EU. In addition, levels of uncertainty as to where to travel dropped by 20 per cent. The number of respondents who refrained from planning trips also dropped by 20 per cent, reaching the lowest point (16 per cent) since September 2020. The vaccine rollout, flexible cancellation policies and fully lifted travel restrictions are the top factors boosting respondents’ confidence in their next trip within EU.

However, some concerns still hamper travel planning despite higher travel intentions. Europeans with short-term travel plans remain anxious about quarantine measures (18 per cent), rising COVID-19 cases within the destination (16 per cent) and changes in travel restrictions during their trip (15 per cent). When it comes to personal health and safety, the top three areas of apprehension are air travel (17 per cent), in-destination transport (15 per cent) and cafes and restaurants (13 per cent).

References

1. ‘Wave 8’ features data collected in July 2021

2. Germany, United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, Poland and Austria

3. ‘Early-bird’ travellers and ‘travel-ready’ Europeans refer to survey respondents, who are planning to travel in the next six months