The New World of Travel Report released this week by Skyscanner looks at what the future of travel should look like, as well as explore the economics of travel and the changing psychology of travellers.
Among the sectors covered are domestic travel, pattern of booking lead times, low cost carriers and business travel. Here are some findings:
• One-way: In March, Skyscanner data showed a dramatic increase in one-way searches as travellers throughout the world rushed to get home before quarantine and lockdown restrictions were enforced. Six months later the global average of one-way searches continue to trend upward, with the share of searches in August growing by 11% compared to 2019.
“Interest in one-way travel remains high as people decide where they want to be based during the pandemic,” states the report.
• Domestic travel: Searches for domestic travel have increased globally since March and continue to remain on a steady growth trajectory, while searches for international travel remain suppressed globally. Last month, the share of searches for domestic travel increased (13%) globally against a backdrop of changing travel restrictions.
“There’s a trend towards domestic travel, but green shoots for international travel are on the horizon.”
• Shorter booking window: Amid ongoing uncertainty travellers are looking to get away in much shorter time frames with booking windows of under one week more popular this year than ever before (12% increase in share of searches compared to 2019).
• Who’s travelling: 24% of Europeans believe it is safe to travel internationally now, compared to 21% of travellers in the Americas and just 10% in Asia-Pacific
• Low-cost carriers: They have the fastest route to recovery owing to their business operations, low margins, point to point approach combined with short haul, domestic and regional travel currently being a driving force for recovery.
• Uncertain future for business travel: This sector has changed for good, the report noted. Quarantines, restrictions on movement and entry into countries limited depending on nationality and associated Covid-19 infection rates has rendered travelling for business almost “a thing of the past”. Additionally, the “explosion” of video conferencing and webinars has replaced the long-established culture of in-person meetings, industry and networking events almost overnight.
• Sustainable travel concerns: The research reveals that sustainable travel concerns are no longer top of mind for many travellers. But as destinations previously suffering from overtourism begin to reopen, the sector has a unique opportunity to redesign old travel patterns and rearchitect the tourism industry for the benefit of local communities, the environment and travellers alike
• Psychology of travel: Health, financial, social, ethical and recreational are factors shaping a new demographic of travellers – male travellers are more likely to book than female (54%) and those with children are more likely to book than those without (55%), according to Skyscanner’s Covid-19 traveller sentiment data.
Travellers are also reacting in real time to the latest information about border and movement restrictions. Last month, when the UK government added Portugal to the country’s safe travel list, bookings spiked over 2,000% immediately following the announcement. 85% of travellers surveyed said they would be more likely to travel internationally if airport testing was in place (read IATA’s call for systematic testing before departure).
“Where they are able and willing, travellers are pioneering new ways to explore the world. Whether it’s shortening the timeframe in which they plan and take a trip, tackling complex risk assessments before deciding to travel, or expecting previously unseen levels of clarity to ensure confidence in their booking, the new shape of travel is emerging,” Moshe Rafiah, Skyscanner CEO commented.
Download New World of Travel (29-page PDF)
• Featured image credit: Asawin_Klabma/Getty Images
