MMGY Global’s latest survey of U.S. adults revealed that 45 percent of respondents who are familiar with the Omicron variant are less likely to travel in the next three months because of related concerns. That said, unvaccinated travelers’ intentions appear to be far less impacted than those of the vaccinated. The survey found 39 percent of vaccinated adults familiar with Omicron say news of the variant has no impact on their likelihood to travel in the next three months, while the majority (71 percent) of those who are unvaccinated say this news does not impact their likelihood to travel.
As scientists learn more about how Omicron behaves, the next couple of weeks will be very important in determining how much of an effect this new variant is likely to have on travel plans. A significant percentage of Americans say it would influence their likelihood to travel:
- Forty-three percent say they would be significantly less likely to travel if scientists determine Omicron is more likely to result in hospitalizations
- Thirty-four percent say they would be significantly less likely to travel if scientists determine Omicron is more resistant to current vaccines
- Thirty-two percent say they would be significantly less likely to travel if scientists determine Omicron is more easily transmitted
The national survey, which was conducted among nearly 900 U.S. adults, also examined consumer sentiment related to health and safety measures that could prevent the spread of Omicron cases, and coronavirus in general, throughout the United States.
- Sixty-seven percent of Americans support President Joe Biden's decision to increase testing requirements for inbound international travelers to the United States
- Sixty-four percent of Americans believe airlines should require all passengers to be fully vaccinated in order to fly domestically, and 67 percent believe this requirement should be in place for international travelers.
This survey was conducted December 3–5, 2021 by MMGY Travel Intelligence, MMGY Global’s research and insights division.
Source: MMGY Travel Intelligence
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