ROME - More optimistic travelers thanks to vaccines.
And holidays first priority as soon as the pandemic is over.
After more than a year of restrictions, the light begins to glimpse at the end of the tunnel and hope and desire to discover the world are strengthened.
This is told by the research conducted by Booking.com, a leading site in the sector, on over 28,000 travelers in 28 countries and territories, to investigate feelings and hopes in terms of travel, as soon as we can return to do so safely.
The first figure is that, although aware that the pandemic is not over yet, two thirds of global travelers (66%) and 7 out of 10 Italians (72%) think they have more hopes of traveling in 2021 than in 2020, thanks to the commitment of the scientific and medical community and the launch of vaccines for COVID-19.
And if the desire to leave is increased precisely by the hardships experienced in 2020 (70% of Italians), trust in vaccines is profound: over half of global travelers (59%) and 57% of Italians do not want to travel abroad. until they have been vaccinated (percentage that rises to 68% among those over 55) and more than half of them will only travel to countries that have initiated vaccination plans.
However, some hesitation remains: 41% of respondents remain skeptical that a vaccine can really help make travel safer.
"We remain optimistic that, in the not too distant future, everyone will be able to return to travel and discover the world together - comments Arjan Dijk, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Booking.com - Even if we begin to see a light in at the end of the tunnel, we continue to strive to support everyone on the path that will lead us to travel again, in safety, collaborating with all operators in the sector to ensure their recovery and a better future ".
And traveling, the research continues, will really be the first priority, as soon as it is possible to move.
A desire, which becomes almost a physiological need if travelers all over the world recognize that not being able to travel in 2020 as in previous years has affected their well-being.
48% (and 55% of Italians) saw a negative impact on their mental health and 47% felt imprisoned in their home.
For 64%, traveling is more important now than before the pandemic (percentage that rises to 72% among Italians) and almost three quarters (71%) of travelers say they would rather go on vacation in 2021 than find the real thing love.
66% would prioritize travel over success at work, preferring to go on vacation rather than get a promotion.
And to be ready, more than half of the "locked up" travelers (53%) used the time spent at home to organize future trips, while 45% have accumulated more days of vacation and are enthusiastic about the idea of being able to do longer holidays in 2021. Where?
Six out of ten people (61%) and 3 out of 4 Italians think about a trip to the beach by summer 2021 and 23% of global travelers (30% among Italians) say that a relaxing trip to the beach or to a spa will be the first type of travel he will do when we can return to travel safely.
After a grueling year, only 6% (7% among Italians) will book an active trip and only 5% will give priority to city holidays.