49% say desire to travel impacts willingness to take COVID-19 vaccine
Nearly half of Americans (49%) say their desire to travel impacts their willingness to receive the Covid-19 vaccine, according to a new study from The Points Guy. This includes 26% who say it has a major impact on their inclination to be vaccinated. This response was provided most by millennials, ages 24-40, (33%) and those earning $80,000+ (34%). Just under a quarter of US adults (23%) say that travel will have a minor impact on their decision to be vaccinated. Close to one third (31%) say their desire to travel has no impact on their readiness to get the vaccine at all, and the remaining 20% have no desire to travel at all.
"The arrival of promising COVID-19 vaccines has really ignited optimism in the industry, and travelers are already looking ahead and booking future trips," says Melanie Lieberman, Senior Travel Editor at The Points Guy.
Looking to the year ahead, one third of US adults (33%) already have at least one trip planned for 2021. Seemingly waiting for broader vaccine distribution and/or warmer weather, the majority plan to take these trips between the months of April to June or from July to September, 13% each. Men (38%), younger millennials (ages 25-31) (48%), and those earning $80,000 or more per year (45%) are most like to have already planned a trip for this year.
While more than half of Americans (55%) have not taken any trips since the Covid-19 outbreak, not everyone is inclined to stay home. Over a quarter of US adults (27%) say they’ve taken 1 to 2 trips (defined as several hours by car, plane, train, etc.) during the past several months, 12% have taken 3 to 4 trips and 6% have taken more than 4 trips since the start of the pandemic.
Still, actually receiving the vaccine does seem to have an impact on American’s likelihood to travel. 35% said they would be likely to take and out-of-state road trip and 32% would likely take an in-state road trip if they had the vaccine. Over a quarter (27%) of respondents would be likely to take a domestic flight and 14% say they would likely take an international flight. Just 9% would be likely to ride a train or other public transport and 8% would be likely to take a cruise.
As for lodging, nearly 3 in 10 (29%) would be likely to stay in a hotel and 14% would likely rent a home through a service such as Airbnb or VRBO. One third (33%) say they are likely to do none of these things if they were to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.
Lieberman noted, "Vaccines are boosting traveler confidence, but road trips and domestic getaways are still enjoying a surge in popularity. It may take time for some travelers to feel comfortable venturing far from home again."
