What: Travelers Are Postponing Trips as COVID-19 Cases Rise
The latest Longwoods International tracking study of American travelers indicates that the Delta variant of COVID-19 is having a negative impact on traveler confidence, with a quarter of respondents postponing travel due to the recent increase in coronavirus case numbers, hospitalizations and deaths.
Why It Matters: The Delta Variant Is Hurting Travelers’ Confidence
The results of this survey reveal a significant shift in sentiment, as travel planning and consumer confidence have been on the rise for several months now, with high interest in summer trips and some agencies seeing record sales, among other positive indicators. In addition, support among travelers for opening their communities to visitors has dropped from a peak of 67%, according to a June Longwoods study, to 57% now. Even confidence in the safety of eating out at local restaurants and shopping in the community has declined, dropping from three-fourths (which marked the highest levels in more than a year) to two-thirds of travelers.
Fast Facts
- Travelers are expressing strong support for vaccination requirements for international travelers arriving in the U.S.: More than half of respondents say they would require vaccinations for all international travelers to the U.S., and another 14% would make vaccinations a requirement for visitors from “high-risk” countries.
What They’re Saying: We’re Reaching a New Pandemic “Tipping Point”
“We may be approaching a new pandemic tipping point, in the battle between the more transmissible Delta variant and the power of vaccinations to prevent or at least lessen the impact of infections,” said Amir Eylon, president and CEO of Longwoods International. “Hopefully, awareness of the potentially severe impact of this new variant will motivate unvaccinated Americans to protect themselves, their families and their communities by taking the shot.”
The Details
Longwoods International
