Travel survey: More people in Germany, US, China planning trips in 2021

Travel Biz News —

People want to travel again and a large majority of the population is planning trips in 2021, according to a ITB Berlin / Statista survey on travel behavior in Germany, the US and China.

Around 70 per cent of those surveyed in Germany, the US and China think about private trips this year. Specifically, 37 per cent of Germans, 42 per cent of Americans and 66 per cent of Chinese are planning one or more trips.

Close to 25 per cent of respondents in Germany and the US and over 35 per cent in China also believe they will spend more money on travelling over the next 12 months than during the same period to date.

In China there also appears to be significant pent-up demand for travel, where close to 50 per cent of interviewees think they travel more on an ongoing basis once the coronavirus pandemic has passed, compared with 25 per cent in the US and 17 per cent in Germany.

COVID -19 pandemic still heavily influences holiday planning. The majority of people say they are not planning to travel this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

However, it is worth noting that perceived personal safety on a trip weighs more than travel choices being restricted. 50 per cent of Germans not planning to travel in 2021 say they feel uneasy about taking trips during the coronavirus pandemic.

In the US the corresponding figure is 34 per cent, and in China even 56 per cent. By comparison, only 23 per cent of German respondents, 21 per cent of Americans and 45 per cent of Chinese state travel restrictions as their reason for staying at home.

As a result, tour operators this year face the challenge of instilling a sense of safety and well-being among their customers.

Similarly, a closer look at people’s travel plans in 2021 shows a preference for beach holidays in all countries, with 34 per cent of Germans, 36 per cent of Americans and 42 per cent of Chinese taking them into consideration.

The majority of respondents in all countries plan to stay in hotels, although the figures vary significantly from country to country.

Questioned as to their long-term plans for the future, 35 per cent of German respondents, 38 per cent of Americans and 50 per cent of Chinese believe their travel behaviour will change long-term. The reasons given were environmental considerations and the coronavirus pandemic.

In addition to their private travel plans interviewees were asked about possible business trips. In contrast with private trips, the findings on business travel point to a downward trend.

Outdoor activities appear to be on the rise, with 61 per cent of Germans, 68 per cent of Americans and as many as 91 per cent of Chinese respondents agreeing with the statement “I will take more nature/outdoor trips.“

March 2 , 2021

Photo : Sutera Harbour Resort at Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia / ITB Berlin