NATIONAL REPORT—New data released by MMGY Travel Intelligence shows some positive signs that increasing numbers of travelers intend to get moving once the pandemic passes. MMGY has been conducting the Traveler Intentions Pulse Survey (TIPS), commissioned by the U.S. Travel Association, since the end of March to measure the impact of COVID-19 on U.S. leisure and business travelers.
Among the key findings, road trips and travel to destinations closer to home will likely drive much of the tourism recovery once pandemic restrictions on travel are lifted. The percentage of travelers who agreed that they are more likely to travel by car after COVID-19 passes increased in the last two week from 35% in Wave II to 47% in Wave III. And, the percentage who said they are more likely to travel to destinations close to home increased from 36% in Wave II to 42% in Wave III. This was especially true for older travelers.
The following are additional highlights from the latest results:
- A slowing in the spread of COVID-19 worldwide and the CDC reducing risk advisory levels continue to be the most important factors impacting decisions to travel in the next six months. However, there are also signs that travelers are increasingly looking for travel restrictions to be lifted to make a travel decision. The percentage of travelers who indicated an easing of travel restrictions would impact their decision to travel increased from 45% in Wave II to 53% in Wave III.
- Consumers’ interest in travel may ultimately be eclipsed by lingering concerns about either safety or their ability to pay for it. Six in ten respondents say they will be eager to travel for leisure once the COVID-19 emergency has passed, up from 54% in Wave II. Yet, just 38% say they are likely to take a leisure trip in the next six months.
- In Wave III, travelers were slightly less concerned about the threat of contracting COVID-19 than they were just two weeks prior. In particular, the concern about others in their household contracting the virus dropped from 40% in Wave II to 34% in Wave III. And, travelers aged 50-64 years continue to be the age group least concerned.
This survey is conducted biweekly (as of March 27, 2020) among 1,200 U.S. residents who have taken an overnight trip for either business or leisure in the past 12 months. Wave II of the survey was conducted April 4-11, 2020 and Wave III was conducted April 17-22, 2020.