The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked previously unimaginable damage to, not only our economy but, our collective psyche. Intent to travel continues to dwindle and fear of travel increases.
Our friends at Destination Analysts released their snapshot of consumer opinion on Monday. In the "word and response" game psychiatrists often play, when presented with the word "travel," respondents overwhelmingly answered with "scared." At the same time, two-thirds said they couldn't wait to get back out there...but a third responded that they were going to re-think their destination choices. While not a Destination Analyst view, we're hearing (anecdotally) that there may be some domestic xenophobia seeping into the public consciousness; that some consumers will only travel within their own State for fear of traveling to "hotspot" locales that could again flare-up. Depending upon your destination, this is either good news or bad.
Meanwhile, our friends at Longwoods International (in conjunction with Miles Partnership) just released their latest study of American intent to travel...and there is hope. When queried about plans to travel in the next 6 months, 72% said "yes." While that is down from 87% two weeks ago...we're "glass half full" people. That is still roughly three-quarters of Americans.
I'll take that.
Comments