Travel Research Round-Up for this Week
Economic Updates
GOVERNOR DEWINE ANNOUNCES CHANGE TO QUARANTINE RULES
Fully-vaccinated Ohioans will no longer be required to quarantine if they have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, Gov. Mike DeWine announced Tuesday, April 27. The governor said he is hopeful the change will inspire more people to schedule vaccine appointments.
Travel Sentiment Research
MASKS AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS REMAIN IMPORTANT REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAVELERS TO FEEL COMFORTABLE
Key findings from Colleen Dilenschneider published Apr. 28:
- Visitation among exhibit-based and performance-based organizations are anticipated to increase as more Americans are vaccinated.
- Mandatory face coverings, availability of the vaccine and the ability to be outdoors are the top things American travelers in this survey said would make them comfortable visiting a museum or other exhibit-based venue:
- 79.3% said mandatory face coverings would make them feel safe.
- 77.8% said the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine.
- 57.7% said the ability to be outside.
- 49.7% said seeing others visit.
- 40.5% said no significant changes are necessary and they feel safe.
- About the same numbers said these things would also make them comfortable visiting a performance-based venue, with slightly more saying the ability to be outdoors would make them feel safer.
- 79.9% said mandatory face coverings would make them feel most safe.
- 77.0% said availability to COVID-19 vaccine.
- 64.3% said the ability to be outside.
- 39.8% said seeing others visit.
- 34.2% said no significant changes are necessary and they feel safe.
- When asked whether mandatory face coverings are essential or non-essential when considering a visit, travelers in the Ohio region are still prioritizing mandatory masks. According to the research requiring face coverings for all staff, volunteers, and guests can make the difference on whether someone will visit an
- Research suggested not requiring masks will have a much greater negative impact on attendance than requiring them for the vast majority of organizations.
- The top issue reason for customer dissatisfaction among those who are visiting cultural organizations now remains staff members neglecting to enforce mask mandates and social distancing rules.
PERCEPTIONS OF UNSAFE TRAVEL HAS DROPPED; AMERICANS REPORT WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING TO GET OUT OF TRAVEL
Key findings from Destination Analysts fielded Apr. 23-25:
- Americans’ perceptions of travel activities as unsafe dropped this week to a record low to 35.1%, down from 57.8% in January.
- 43% reported they would not feel guilty traveling right now, another record low.
- Seven in ten Americans are in a ready-to-travel state of mind.
- With travel inspiration continuing to rise, in the last week:
- 75% dreamt of and/or planned travel.
- 18% made a travel booking and/or reservation.
- 88% have at least tentative leisure trip plans.
- 71% will take a leisure trip in the next three months.
- 27% of American travelers are planning their trips in July, continuing to make it the peak month for travel.
- 71.6% of travelers reported they will take a vacation or getaway between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
- A few top destinations travelers plan to visit:
- 35.7% plan to visit beach destinations/resorts.
- 34.7% plan to visit small towns or rural destinations.
- 27.3% plan to visit cities or metropolitan areas.
- 25.3% plan to visit state, county, or regional parks.
- 17.1% plan to visit theme or amusement parks.
- Nearly one-third of American travelers say their summer trip volume is less than pre-pandemic. Reasons reported include:
- 31.1% said safety concerns such as contracting COVID-19 virus.
- 30.6% said because the pandemic is not 100% over.
- 30.1% said crowds; too many people will be traveling this summer.
- 17.0% said the vaccine, testing, and/or quarantine requirements for travel.
- 15.7% said the health and safety protocol are too restrictive.
- 14.8% said travel protocols are too tedious like getting tested, wearing a mask, etc.
- As for what Americans are looking to get out of travel:
- 31.3% said relax, chill-out, decompress.
- 27.9% want to experience beautiful places.
- 24.3% said escape or feel free.
- 24,1% want to do new things, visit new places.
- 18.7% want to make up for time lost.
- 17.3% said explore, have adventures.