International Travel Surging
The 2021 Fall Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey indicates the recent surge in international travel as confidence in travel is on the rise.
What kept many on the fence about traveling was fear of infection or being quarantined. The fear of travel as a result of COVID-19 is quickly declining, with over 40% of those surveyed indicating they had already traveled internationally. Domestic travel is also booming, with 86% of those surveyed indicating they had traveled since the pandemic began.
A member of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board and CEO of Global Rescue, Don Richards, indicated: “Between April and October, there’s been a 74% jump in people taking domestic trips and an enormous 207% increase in individuals traveling internationally.”
While business travel is slowly coming back with positive week over week increases by TravelStore’s corporate clients, leisure travelers are leading the surge, showing a propensity to travel to destinations where being outdoors is primary. This includes everything from sun and beach destinations like Mexico, to safaris in East Africa and South Africa. Luxury and smaller ship cruise vacations are especially popular, with 2022 bookings now exceeding 2019’s record levels.
Of course, navigating the requirements imposed by each country and hotel are onerous, and with direct access to up-to-date travel requirements worldwide TravelStore is able to provide guidance to our clients in making their travel plans based on current regulations.