In a 2022 survey conducted by YouGov, 35 per cent of travellers expressed that since the pandemic’s onset, the significance of travel in their lives has grown considerably.
At the end of 2022, over two-thirds of the respondents were planning trips within the next 12 months, and among those with travel plans, nearly twice as many were opting for domestic travel over international destinations.
To illustrate, 67 per cent of consumers said in November 2022 that they had leisure trips planned within the next year, with 56 per cent opting for domestic and 25 per cent for international destinations, revealing a strong preference for in-country exploration.
In 2022, there was a significant uptick in travellers packing their bags to explore destinations. During the first half of the year, European airports experienced an almost 250 per cent rise in passenger volumes as countries reopened their borders to visitors, according to data by Airport’s Council International (ACI) Europe.
In 2023, the travel recovery continues to strengthen. According to an IPSOS survey, a majority of respondents in most countries, well exceeding 70 per cent, are either eager or content to travel in 2023.
When compared to other surveyed nationalities, individuals in the US, Belgium, and Germany appear to be less enthusiastic about travel. Notably, a significant proportion of German respondents expressed little desire or interest in travelling in 2023.
According to a recent report from the UN World Tourism Organization, there has been a change in the countries that drew tourists before and after the pandemic.
France, Spain, and the United States have continued to secure their spots as the top three global travel destinations, while China and Thailand have dropped from the rankings. This has led to the top ten list being exclusively dominated by countries in Europe and the Americas.
As travellers seek to recapture experiences and make up for their lost time, they are willing to spend more. According to Skyscanner’s survey, a substantial 77 per cent of respondents intend to maintain or increase their spending on trips abroad compared to 2022, with 41 per cent, nearly half, planning to allocate even more to their travel budgets.
Carol Ann Williams, Senior Consultant at Sure Maritime Travel, shared that many of her clients desire to reconnect with family and friends after lockdowns and regulations despite the increased cost of travel.
As our travellers return to their pre-pandemic routines, we have found that they are back to looking for deals and discounts. Initially, our clients would do everything possible to see family and friends, spending more money than they normally would on an air ticket or accommodation.
Based on a recent Travel News poll, 35 per cent of travel agents believe that the travel rush will likely subside by the end of 2023, while 26 per cent of respondents express confidence in its long-term sustainability.
