Expedia Group’s newly released 2021 Travel Trends Report reveals that people miss traveling and long to reconnect with their friends, family, and colleagues. It also suggested travel will serve as a force for good with 63% of 2,200 American respondents saying travel creates greater cultural understanding, while 56% reported that travel is healing.
“Once circumstances related to the pandemic have stabilized, people plan to take more extended trips, and they’re budgeting a significant amount of money for travel,” said Anni Murphy, corporate communications manager at Expedia Group. “Pent-up demand indicates even the travel sectors hit hardest by COVID-19 may start to recover sooner than expected. This is a positive signal not only for travel, but also for broader economic recovery, and the communities across the globe that rely on tourism.”
- Almost half of the respondents are more likely to travel when a COVID-19 vaccine is widely available.
- 42% said recent news regarding the vaccine made them more hopeful about travel, or drove them to book an upcoming trip.
- Travelers will take more trips and extend their vacations
- 44% will take more trips in 2021 than 2020, with younger generations traveling the most overall.
- More than one in three respondents said their next trip will be a week, or longer.
- Consumer spending will be high in 2021
- People are saving US$3,444 on average for their next trip, but Millennials plan to spend significantly more.
- Cities will make a comeback as flight demand data on Brand Expedia show Americans plan to visit destinations like New York City and Los Angeles.