Zapwater Communications, a leading travel and lifestyle communications agency, has revealed the results of a post-COVID-19 travel survey conducted among 1,280 US-based frequent travellers.

The agency surveyed a sampling of likely travellers about their travel decisions pre- and post-COVID-19, including areas of preference to travel, when they would feel comfortable travelling again, length of trip, mode of transportation, travel experiences, type of trip, factors that would influence travel, and travel habits among others. When it came to international travel, Canada came out on top as the No. 1 destination.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted travel and tourism worldwide,” said David Zapata, CEO & Founder of Zapwater Communications. “We wanted to survey frequent travellers to learn about its impact on future travel plans post-COVID-19. We hope the survey results will shed some light on what travellers are thinking about future travel plans to help hotels and destinations better prepare for a re-opening.”

Travellers are remaining optimistic during the COVID-19 pandemic and still plan to take trips in 2020

• According to the survey, 65% of those surveyed are looking forward to traveling again, both internationally and domestically
• 39% of travellers are hoping to travel within the first 6 months after travel restrictions are lifted
• 56% of participants feel comfortable spending just as much on a trip as they would have before COVID-19
• 80% of travellers surveyed said they are willing to travel for a length of 3-7 nights during their first trips post-COVID-19

Health and Safety Protocols are a Priority Among Travellers

• Resort and hotel safety protocols ranked the highest priority (75%) influencing immediate travel decisions versus proximity to home (23%)
• The number of COVID-19 cases in a destination ranked among the top factors (63%) that would influence travellers when making their purchase decision for their next vacation post-COVID-19

When travel resumes, US travellers will choose to travel by car and plane

• Travel by car will become increasingly more popular, with 57% planning to drive for their first trip post the pandemic
• Of those surveyed, 53% plan to fly for their first trip post-COVID-19
• 35% of frequent travellers are very likely to take a short-haul flight (3 hours or less) for their first trip post-COVID-19

International travel to the Caribbean, Europe and Canada ranked highest for travellers to visit within the next six months

• Internationally, Canada placed first with over 36% of respondents, The Caribbean ranked second with over 35% and Europe placed third with 33% feeling most comfortable to visit within the next 6 to 12 months

Other survey findings include:

• Domestic travel will become increasingly popular with 83% of those surveyed looking forward to staying within the U.S. for their first trip post-COVID-19. 
• Adventure, wellness, and bucket list trips ranked highest among the type of trips frequent travellers are looking to explore during their next vacation.
• Top domestic regions of interest include the West Coast and Southeast
• Majority of those surveyed travel most often with family or spouse

“With the world still at a standstill, the next vacation may seem like a lifetime away,” added Zapata. “What we know for sure is that the desire to travel is stronger than ever. Travel is still missed, and many travellers expressed excitement to return to travel when they feel it’s safe.”