MORE than two years into the Covid pandemic people are planning to travel internationally again, with destinations in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region top of their mind.
The date was revealed in a survey, commissioned by Airbnb and undertaken by YouGov, caried out among than 6,000 people across South Korea, India, Australia, Japan, China and the US.
These are the key findings:
APAC top of mind for travellers
- Half of Chinese and Australian respondents said they would consider visiting international destinations within the APAC region when they are able to. This was also true for 58% of South Korean respondents, 48% Indian and 28% Japanese.
- 35% of US respondents said they are excited to visit countries within APAC.
People excited about travelling internationally again
- 77 % of participants from South Korea, 71% from India, 70% Australian, 64% Chinese are excited about once again being able to travel internationally.
- 35% respondents in Japan and 52 in China said they missed being able to travel internationally and have a strong desire to do so again.
- 37% of US respondents, 38% Chinese, 62% of South Koreans, 52% Australians, planned to travel internationally “more frequently”, in the future.
Travellers looking to make that next international trip a reality
- 34% of Japanese respondents, 46 % US, 70% Australian, 75% Indians, 63% Chinese and 82% South Korean said they plan to travel internationally in the foreseeable future.
- Of those planning to travel internationally, 30% of US respondents intend plan to do so within the next six months, along with 31% Australians.
Change in way people view international travel
Throughout the pandemic there have been major shifts in the way that people think about travel and living, with the lines between them continuing to blur. For many, that also appears to apply to international travel.
- In South Korea and China, 65% of those surveyed said they were more open to travelling internationally during off-peak times of the year than they were before the pandemic. The same sentiment was also expressed by 59% of Indian respondents, 55% Australian, 19% Japanese and 39% US participants.
- Many people are also open to the idea of combining work and travel while abroad with 73% of Indian respondents, 49% Chinese and 41% of US participants intending to do so.
International travel expands horizons and connects with different cultures
- 53% of Australians surveyed, 54% Chinese, 68% South Korean and 51% Indians believe in this.
- A large number of respondents expressed a desire to experience off-the-beaten-track destinations they have not visited before with 26% Japanese participants, 27% Indian, 32% Australian, 32% Chinese and 26% US respondents planning to do so.
Parin Mehta, Airbnb’s APAC regional director, said: “As international borders gradually reopen across the Asia-Pacific region we’re focused on ensuring that guests and the communities they visit can make the most of both the travel revolution and the return of international travel. We’re committed to continuing to work collaboratively with governments and communities across the region to rebuild tourism and maximise the benefits of the travel revolution.”
• Featured image credit (Temples in the Bagan Archaeological Zone, Myanmar): SeanPavonePhoto/Getty Images
