DALLAS, TX—New research by SiteMinder has found that safety concerns among travelers in the United States, Australia and Germany are not enough to deter domestic holiday plans this year.
SiteMinder’s “Changing Traveler Report 2020: Special COVID-19 Edition” series, based on the survey responses of more than 500 holiday-makers in each of the three countries, shows that ‘well-promoted health and safety practices’ rank as the top consideration for American travelers and the second-top consideration for those in Australia and Germany when it comes to accommodations. Yet in spite of the consideration trumping even the need to secure low prices, more than 48% of Americans, 54% of Australians and 61% of Germans say they plan to travel within their country this year.
The findings mirror the World Hotel Index, which shows that of all bookings made to the countries’ hotels this month-to-date, more than 95% are for stays this year.
SiteMinder’s regional director for EMEA, Clemens Fisch, says the findings are testament to the important role that travel will continue to play for many consumers post-COVID-19.
“Our research affirms beliefs that strong health safeguards will be needed across international markets during life after the coronavirus. However, if accommodation providers can instill confidence among their guests, through the way they implement and practice health and safety at their properties, then they can be assured that consumer fears will take a backseat to the human desire to travel,” Fisch said.
COVID-19 has had a pronounced impact on the mindsets of Americans. As U.S. fatalities approach 120,000, the percentage of U.S. respondents who don’t plan to ever travel again due to the virus is almost double that of the other two nations, at 14.1%, compared with 7.6% of Australians and 7.1% of Germans.