European desire to travel strong despite Covid risks
James ChappleMore than half of European travellers expect to take a trip in the next six months despite the ongoing Covid crisis, a new study of almost 6,000 people across 10 European countries has found.
Nearly eight in 10 respondents (78%) to the European Travel Commission’s (ETC) Wave 2 survey who said they planned to travel imminently would do so within Europe.
Of those with short-term travel plans, 65% said their primary purpose was leisure, with city breaks (21%) the most commonly favoured leisure trip, while 20% said their travel would be for VFR.
However, compared to its Wave 1 survey, the ETC noted an 18% drop in those planning to travel before the end of the year, as well as a 6% increase in uncertainty about the exact timing of their travel and an 8% increase in those uncertain about their specific destination.
More than a third said they didn’t know when they would travel next, with winter amplifying travellers’ concerns about Covid.
Among those planning to travel in the short-term, their main concerns include quarantine measures during a trip (15%), falling ill with Covid in-destination (13%) and rising numbers of Covid cases in-destination (also 13%).
Respondents also rank health and safety as their primary consideration when making any travel plans, with air travel still regarded as the least safe part of their journeys, according to 20% of those surveyed.
Other factors affecting decision-making include flexible cancellation policies (11%) and the possibility of an effective Covid vaccine or treatment (10%).
Eduardo Santander, ETC executive director, said: "The latest numbers clearly show Europeans’ desire for travel stays strong amid the reimposition of lockdowns and travel restrictions across Europe.
"EU governments must take a step forward and find a compromise together with the health authorities on practical solutions on how to implement necessary protocols and safely restart travel operations.
"Europeans deserve to see their families or have a short holiday break during the upcoming winter holidays."
The near-6,000 survey respondents hailed from 10 major European markets: Germany, the UK, France, Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, Poland and Austria.
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