Global uncertainty is prompting travelers to avoid certain worldwide destinations, according to a new study by Virtuoso.
40 percent of Virtuoso advisors report that their clients are now avoiding certain destinations due to terrorism concerns, according to the report, including destinations in the Middle East, Europe and Africa, with Turkey and Egypt topping the list of countries. Instead, Americans are choosing to travel within their own country, as well as visit those countries perceived as safer, including Japan, Canada and New Zealand.
In the wake of the continuing legal battle over President Donald Trump’s revised travel ban, 10 percent say clients are changing travel plans due to concerns over anti-American sentiment.
“The world is going through a transition where uncertainty is the new norm,” said Matthew D. Upchurch, chairman and CEO of Virtuoso, in a written release. “Whether it’s Brexit, the shifting political climate in the U.S., or the threat of terrorism or disease such as Zika, there seems to be only two certainties. First, we have no idea what we might wake up to find tomorrow because change happens fast. Two, and this is of utmost importance, travel is the best way to bring people together when isolation begins. At Virtuoso, we say borders divide, but travel unites. Never has it been more important to keep the ability to travel as a fundamental right.”
In terms of inbound travel, 42 percent of Virtuoso-affiliated travel advisors outside of the U.S. say their clients are avoiding travel to the United States due to factors including opposition to the country’s foreign policy and concerns over obtaining visas. As an alternative, they are electing to travel to destinations such as Italy, Australia and the UK. The majority of advisors anticipate the slowdown in travel to the U.S. will last three to six months, Virtuoso said.
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