Vaccine 'better for confidence than shorter quarantine'

“Our survey’s findings clearly show the vast majority of travellers are feeling overwhelmed," said Martin Nolan, Skyscanner head of regulatory affairs. "The varying restrictions and the numerous requirements around international travel can be confusing to travellers who are planning and booking trips.

“Travel is global and interconnected, so we need to see coordination at an international level with consistent measures which put the traveller first. We are focused on providing travellers with the information and tools they need to help navigate the current complex landscape.

“As we look towards the new year, we would welcome more harmonisation across the industry, with international governments and regulatory bodies focused on making the journey for travellers smoother.”

Among those with overseas travel plans, more than three-quarters (77%) said the complexities required to understand their current travel options were dissuading them.

Nearly half of respondents (45%) said mandatory mask-wearing would encourage them to travel with specific carriers, with the same percentage looking to improved cleaning processes for the same reassurance. Some 43% said negative Covid tests within 72 hours of travel was the most important factor.

Prompted on potentially immediate travel, 15% of respondents said they would consider travelling abroad in December, although fewer than half of those who responded positively (45%) said they had a firm destination in mind.