While most travel has been put on pause because of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, a survey conducted by AirportParkingReservations.com and ParkSleepFly.com in early May indicates new travel trends lean toward domestic travel. Here’s what the next step may look like for travelers.
Based on a survey, which included more than 14,000 American and Canadian travelers, domestic travel will likely become the first choice for pent-up demand. While most respondents (75 percent) are holding off on rebooking any previously cancelled plans, 57 percent said that if they were to travel in 2020, it would be domestically in the U.S. and Canada.
"Our customers are telling us that they would like to travel soon," says Carlos Chilin, general manager of AirportParkingReservations.com and ParkSleepFly.com, "They've indicated that a big factor for their decisions will be the health and safety protocols implemented to make them feel protected."
The opportunity for domestic travel demand increase is not limited to just air travel. While flights aren't completely ruled out of domestic travel, 43 percent of respondents said they were interested in taking a road trip in 2020. They also indicated, at 63 percent, a willingness to drive up to 300 miles for a vacation. AirportParkingReservations.com and ParkSleepFly.com expect a boom in travel as soon as stay-at-home orders are lifted.
As for international travel, many travelers revealed that the idea of international flights makes them very uncomfortable and that they will be much more comfortable doing so in 2021.
The comprehensive data from this survey shows how eager the travel community is to support their local travel industry. Domestic travel and road trips will be the next big trend once restrictions for COVID-19 are lifted.
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