Travel Leaders’ Study Shows 70% of Travelers Plan to Take a Vacation in 2021

Travelers are looking toward 2021, according to a recent survey conducted by Travel Leaders Group.

In conjunction with the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), Travel Leaders Group surveyed 3,000 frequent U.S. and Canadian travelers to gauge their sentiments about traveling again. Not surprisingly, 99% of respondents said they are eager to travel again, but when? The survey found that 70% of respondents plan to travel in 2021 and 23% said they’re planning to travel by the end of this year and only 18% said 2022 is the year for them to travel again. The good news is that 2021 is not that far away.

The survey respondents shared that knowing “the health and safety initiatives at airports, aboard aircraft and at resorts will make a big difference in their decision to travel in the future.” This means travel advisors should know and share the following information on the destinations, resorts and airlines their clients want to know:

• Mask rules
• Social distancing guidelines
• Enhanced cleaning protocols
• Temperature check practices
• Access to sanitizing gel
• Contact-free services and customizable room cleaning

Almost every major resort brand in Mexico and the Caribbean is sharing their enhanced health and safety protocols, like AMResorts, RIU Hotels & Resorts, Palladium Hotel Group, La Coleccion Resorts, Velas Resorts, Palace Resorts, AIC Hotel Group and more.

Airlines have not been shy about sharing their updated policies, including their mandatory mask policies. Some airlines are taking this time to remind travelers of things they’ve been doing long before the pandemic, like American, who reminded us that they’ve been using HEPA filters to clean the air onboard their planes since the 90s.

This survey data from Travel Leaders Group reveals two main points. First, travelers are ready, even right now, to get back out there as long as they feel they can do it safely and that suppliers are putting safety first. Second, there’s no better time than now for travel advisors to demonstrate their value. From navigating destination entry requirements like self-quarantines and PCR testing to knowing which airlines still charge change fees, travel advisors are key to ensuring that travelers feel confident and safe to travel again.

“Booking with a travel advisor is the best possible strategy to navigate the new world of travel,” said Stephen McGillivray, Chief Marketing Officer for Travel Leaders Group. “They can provide all the facts you need to know about destinations, requirements, how to protect your purchase, and best of all, they provide peace of mind.”