Some good news for the travel industry: The majority of avid travelers will travel in 2021 if they haven’t already done so, even though Covid-19 will continue to influence their decisions in 2022 and beyond. That’s the main takeaway from our travel survey which was conducted online between February 23 and February 25. Here are the 2021 travel stats and results from our survey.
2021 Travel survey results summary
- 88% of the Americans we surveyed consider travel “extremely” or “very” important to their lives
- 36% had taken five or more trips the year prior to the pandemic
- 73% of people surveyed said Covid-19 “definitely” affects their travel planning
- 11% said Covid-19 does not affect their planning “at all”
- 26% are “100% confident” traveling right now
- 39% will be only be 100% confident after they and a majority of the US population are vaccinated
- 77% are planning to travel this year or would travel right now
- 14% plan to travel in 2022 or beyond
- Of 10 activities listed, those surveyed were most comfortable taking a road trip (77%) right now
- 60% plan to travel by car this year
- 34% plan to travel by plane this year
- 50% of those surveyed planned to stay in a hotel or motel
- 88% were more likely to book plans with providers who offered enhanced Covid safety measures
- The most popular types of trips to be taken this year are to see family (25%), for relaxation (24%) or a road trip (22%).
- The most popular destinations are national parks, mountains (30%), beaches (24%) and big cities (22%).
- 47% said Covid-19 will affect how they travel in the future and another 35% said it would somewhat affect how they travel
- 81% planned to wear a mask/protective gear the next time they traveled
- 6% planned to take no safety precautions
Who took the survey?
We surveyed 452 avid travelers ages 18-65 who live in America. The majority were women, 65% to 45%. The survey has a +/- 5 margin or error. Of this group:
- 48% said travel is extremely important to them
- 40% said travel is very important
- 12% said travel is somewhat important
How often to they travel?
In the year prior to the pandemic, the majority of these travelers took three or more trips.
- 22% had taken 1-2 trips
- 44% had taken 3-4
- 22% had taken 5-6
- 14% had taken 7 or more
Is Covid-19 affecting travel plans now?
Question: Does Covid affect your travel planning now?
- 73% – Definitely
- 16% – Somewhat
- 11% – Not at all
Question: Are you more likely to book travel with providers who offer Covid-19 safety measures?
- 88% – Yes
- 12% – No
When will people travel again?
The short answer is most avid travelers who responded are planning to travel this year, though, not surprising, the types of trips and destinations are being chosen through the pandemic’s lens.
Question: When do you plan to travel for leisure again?
- 32% – In the second half of 2021
- 25% – I would travel right now
- 21% – In the first half of 2021
- 14% – In 2022 or beyond
- 8% – Depends on when I get vaccinated
Question: What will make you feel 100% confident in traveling again?
- 39% – Once a majority of the population and I get vaccinated
- 26% – I’m 100% confident right now
- 22% – Once I get vaccinated
- 8% – Something not listed
- 5% – Once a majority get vaccinated but not me
Traveling in 2021
A majority of avid travelers responded that they planned to travel this year if they haven’t already. Road trips and outdoor activities like visiting national parks remain the most popular trip choices for people to do right now.
Question: Which of these do you feel comfortable doing right now? (Respondents could choose as many as they liked)
- 77% – Taking a road trip
- 69% – Going to a grocery store
- 66% – Going to a national park
- 56% – Staying in a hotel
- 49% – Going to a beach/pool
- 47% – Going in a clothing store
- 45% – Renting a car
- 43% – Staying in an AirBnB
- 39% – Eating in a restaurant
- 25% – Drinking in a bar
Question: When traveling for leisure this year, what mode of transportation do you mostly plan to take?
- 60% – Car
- 34% – Plane
- 2% – Train
- 2% – Bus
- 1% – None of these options
- 1% – Boat
Question: Where do you plan to stay when traveling this year?
- 50% – Hotel or motel
- 22% – AirBnB
- 20% – Friends or family
- 8% – Something else
Question: Which best describes the type of leisure trip(s) you’ll take this year?
- 25% – To see family
- 24% – Relaxation (beach, spa)
- 22% – Road trip
- 17% – Adventure travel
- 8% – Bucket list travel
- 5% – Cruise
Question: Which best describes your most preferred destinations?
- 30% – National parks, mountains
- 24% – Beaches
- 22% – Big cities
- 8% – Suburban areas
- 8% – Something else
- 6% – Events
- 2% – Ski resorts
Question: Will you adopt any of these protective measures next time you travel? (Respondents could choose all that apply)
- 80% – Wear a face mask/protective gear
- 76% – Wash hands more
- 68% – Avoid crowds
- 49% – Get vaccinated before
- 29% – Avoid public areas
- 23% – Quarantine before, after
- 6% – Nothing
Question: Has Covid affected how you will travel in the future?
- 80% – Yes
- 76% – Somewhat
- 68% – No
