According to a survey recently fielded by The Guestbook, Americans have a pent-up desire to travel. Designed to understand the attitudes and opinions of U.S. travelers, the study found that although 37% say they will not travel in 2020, 29% definitely will, and 34% are still undecided about traveling. Convincing these undecided travelers should be a critical part of a hotel’s marketing plan.
Travelers are yearning for the freedom that traveling brings. When asked to provide the first word they thought of when considering traveling, the four most used were FREEDOM, SAFETY, FAMILY and SCARY.
Americans will travel by car but are hesitant to get on an airplane. The study reported that 31% won’t travel by air until 2021, but 26% will travel by car immediately and 20% will once there is no more virus risk.
Eighty-two percent of respondents said their first trip will be for leisure.
When it comes to booking, people will rely on their own judgement on when it is safe – 29% will book when they think the virus has passed, versus 12% who will book when stay at home orders are lifted. Unfortunately, 23% won’t book until 2021.
Methodology: The survey was conducted on April 28, 2020 with 1,077 North American respondents that had traveled at least two times in the past twelve months.
