Just over one-quarter of Americans have taken a vacation since COVID-19, according to recent research by IPX 1031, a subsidiary of Fidelity National Financial, Inc. The survey, titled “How Americans Plan to Vacation During COVID-19” also found that one-fifth of Americans are planning on taking a vacation, while 37 percent put travel plans on hold and 15 percent have “staycationed” or are planning to do so.
According to respondents, 40 percent outright cancelled a vacation and 23 percent postponed their vacation. As for those who have vacationed since COVID-19 (designated in March), most said they traveled in March (28 percent). After dropping to 15 percent in April, it climbed in May and June to 18 and 22 percent, respectively, before falling again in July (16 percent).
Interestingly, 62 percent said they regret taking their vacation. One-fifth said they weren’t fully able to relax and 27 percent said that COVID-19 caused them to stress on their vacation. While 55 percent noted their vacation was longer due to COVID (with the average trip being 4.5 days), 62 percent said they spent less on their vacations. One-third purchased travel insurance.
Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of those surveyed said they do not feel safe flying on a commercial airplane due to COVID-19. As for when Americans will feel comfortable flying, the plurality (33 percent) said “when there is a vaccine.” More than one-quarter (27 percent) said they were not sure but following were spring 2021 (14 percent) and summer 2021 (13 percent). Just 3 percent said this fall; 6 percent said winter.
The report notes that instead of booking flights (31 percent) to travel abroad, travelers opted for road trips (52 percent) and extended stays at vacation homes and short-term rentals within the United States. The top destinations were California, Florida, New York, Texas and Nevada.
From July 8 – 10, 2020, IPX 1031 surveyed 2,027 Americans between the ages of 18 and 79.
Source: IPX 1031
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