IN his “Letter From America” delivered at WiT Travel Roadshow, Episode 4, Hari Nair, global senior vice president, account management at Expedia Group, shared five insights that are fuelling hopes of a robust travel recovery.
First, the initiatives to reduce the spread of Covid-19 are fuelling the travel industry’s recovery. “We have seen one of the largest rollouts of vaccines in our lifetime. In the US, over 44% of people are vaccinated. And 42% said positive news surrounding a Covid vaccine make them more hopeful about travel, or even entice them to book a trip. As the vaccine rollouts continue to go up, we’re actively see search for travelling getting more and more active, as well.”
Second, travellers have saved to spend. “Last year, people saved approximately US$3,500, on average, for a trip in 2021. 56% want to take the US landmark tour, and the other half are heading to the beach. That is, dollars waiting to be tapped and being spent in the markets right now. Among those who plan to travel millennials, and those on the West Coast and in the Northeast will splurge the most, and they’re using their savings for their dream vacation.”
Third, families are hitting the road. “We are seeing families really focusing on drivable flexcations together, with most people saying they will travel with those they’ve been closest to throughout the pandemic – their children or their quarantined. We are seeing vacation rentals have their best year in the US yet. This category has really come on its own in the last 12 months.”
Fourth, cities will make a comeback. “We have been looking at a fly-to destinations in the second half of this year, and some of the usual hotspots are showing back up – Cancun, Orlando, Las Vegas, Honolulu, New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, London, Miami and so on. They are among the top 10 fly destinations in 2021. This means travellers are coming back for city breaks and getaways and that city experience.
Fifth, adventures are the best way to learn. “We have all learned a lot in the last year about ourselves, and this industry. I know the team I lead every day have learned new ways of working with hotels and homes that are used for holidays. Travel makes you learn about new cultures and about places, the drive for adventure is always in the human soul.
“Our data shows it. The look on people’s faces when they had to change their travel plans, it proves it. I do not hope for the same as before on the return to normal. I am hoping for something significantly more than that. I hope for travel to be a force of good, to strengthen frail connections, to broaden the narrow horizons and to bridge the great divides.”
Watch video here.
• Featured image credit: norkulencija/Getty Images
