Expedia Group has just released a new report that examines insights shaping post-pandemic travel decisions, including emerging behaviors on searching and booking. The research, called “What Travelers Want in 2021”, surveyed 16,000 respondents in eight markets.
Traveler considerations
Nearly half (45%) of travelers are considering a beach vacation in the next 18 months, while more than a third (36%) would prefer a major city, and a third (33%) would prefer a small town. Regardless of the type of destination, a top decision factor for respondents is a “drivable destination somewhat close to home”.
Factors shaping travel decisions
Cleanliness is the top factor shaping booking decisions among the respondents. Nearly half (42%) of travelers say cleanliness guidelines are important to them. The flexibility factor saw the most dramatic rise in importance from 2020 to 2021. Nearly two-thirds (60%) of travelers say they are unlikely to book a non-refundable room in exchange for a reduced rate. This is a near-complete shift from 2020, when two thirds (66%) of travelers said they were likely to book a non-refundable room.
The research also reveals how travelers’ expectations for on-property experiences impacts booking decisions. While more than eight in 10 travelers say, “there is room for improvement among ‘kid-friendly’ hotels,” nearly three-fourths (71%) say they would return for another stay if the hotel “got ‘kid-friendly’ right,” and more than a third (34%) would stay longer.
Also, more than three-fourths (77%) of travelers say accommodations must have key technology amenities if they are to book a stay, while one in three travelers would be willing to pay extra for high-speed internet. Streaming services are especially important to: Generation Z (38%) and millennials (42%), those who travel with children (42%) or their in-laws (40%), and respondents in Mexico (61%).
Rebuilding traveler trust
The research also reveals the importance that travelers place on trust. Properties who communicate clearly are likely to see fewer cancellations, happier guests, and better reviews. 40% of travelers say reviews are more important today than before the pandemic. Almost all travelers (91%) say property owners and managers should reply to negative reviews.