A new survey from Allianz Partners USA found that more than half (60 percent) of their customers are planning to take in a theater, show, concert or music festival during their travels this summer and based on their recent experience purchasing travel insurance, a majority (78 percent) are likely to purchase trip protection for other future trips.
The survey, which reviewed summer travel plans and purchasing behavior of more than 5,000 customers of the travel insurance and assistance company, gleaned a number of insights on Americans’ 2023 travel preferences.
Dominant Summer Entertainment Activities
This year marked an increased demand for both indoor and outdoor entertainment. After years of restrictions, some of the world’s most famous music stars are announcing upcoming world tours while Broadway show classics are roaring back to life via sold out shows. According to Allianz Partners’ survey, 39 percent of customers are planning to attend a theater or show while 21 percent are purchasing tickets for a concert or music festival. Meanwhile, 17 percent said they were planning to go to a theme or water park, a two-point increase from last year’s results.
Preferred Choice of Transportation
Respondents favored air travel (54 percent) as their primary choice of transportation this summer, down from last year’s 61 percent. Additionally, one in 10 (11 percent) are cruising as a mode of transportation. Three percent said they would be opting for with train or bus travel, althought proved more popular among the older demographic (45 to 84 years old) versus younger respondents (18 to 44 years old). Eight percent would be using their personal vehicle. Overall, two in 10 (20 percent) elected to book a combination of transportation modes, ranging from personal, rental and recreational vehicles in addition to flights, cruise ships and train or bus travel.
Interestingly, no respondent replied they would be traveling via RV, which grew in popularity during the pandemic due to closed borders.
Top Lodging and Accommodation Preferences
When surveyed on their preferred choice of lodging, the plurality of respondents (41 percent) opted for a hotel or resort, while 19 percent said they would stay with friends/family and 13 percent chose a cruise ship (down seven points from last year, but up year-over-year among the older demographic).
Sixteen percent plan to stay in a combination of accommodations, which also included short term home rentals (7 percent), at a personal vacation property (4 percent) and in an RV/tent/cabin (1 percent).
Summer Travel Concerns
Asked about summer travel concerns, respondents flagged that “medical emergency during my trip” (18 percent) and “getting sick or injured before my trip” (14 percent) were among the top concerns, while others included “safety at my destination” (9 percent), “rising food and entertainment prices” (7 percent) and “testing positive for COVID before or during my trip” (7 percent).
Source: Allianz Partners USA
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