A roller-coaster of a year on an unprecedented level has certainly left people high and dry. Never in history were flights & trains grounded and nations closed their borders . So it came as no surprise when a travel survey conducted by OnePoll in Jan 2021, commissioned by IHG Group, revealed that a desire for travel, longing for human connections and exploring new places were on the top of people’s minds.
Re-booking Plans of 2020
The IHG travel survey also revealed that 60% of the people cancelled upto 4 trips (both leisure & business). However, quite interestingly, half of the travelers have already started to re-book these trips or plan to do so soon.
Check out my below info-graphic of the top insights from the OnePoll IHG Travel Survey of 2021
On a personal note, I too went ahead to indulge in a Staycation in a Luxury hotel as soon as the lockdown was lifted. Furthermore I also travelled to Tanjore as a short weekend trip in a train.
Without a doubt, the first time stepping out for a luxury stay, ordering in room service , eating some mouth watering dishes, and just enjoying a vacation was probably the best thing that happened to me , late last year.
Staycation – 2020’s most popular word in Travel Sector
Though “Staycations” were a concept that was present for quite a while now, the word took a whole lot other meaning in 2020. People working from home, esp in the Technology industry, flocked in large numbers towards luxury hotels and beach resorts , either as a staycation or as a weekend getaway with entire family.
Staycation Essentials : A laptop, Wifi , Swimming Pool & Room Service
All you needed was a laptop &fast Wifi connectivity to stay connected to work. It really didn’t matter if you happened to work by the poolside or inside a room. So people gladly opted for the former, sipping a martini.
Business Travel Survey
Did you know that 1 in 3 workers globally stated the lack of business travel in 2020 demotivated them. More than 45% felt that business travel improves their working mood and makes them more motivated.
My Take on the Travel Survey Insights
The surge in the no of people travelling, be it a short road trip or an international trip is visible across all countries. The travel recovery momentum has clearly gone past any forecast trends, enroute to be a booming industry in the coming years. Though there might be changes in the way people travel, this will not deter them from heading out anywhere.
I also strongly believe that late 2021 (with the rollout of vaccines), will definitely see a massive flux of tourists thronging different parts of the country and other nations and exploring places to their hearts content.
Do comment where you might be heading this year.
About the OnePoll Survey
The survey tried to explore the travel plans of people and eagerness to embark on the next journey.
The OnePoll Travel survey was commissioned by the IHG Group of Hotels (who also owns the chain of hotels such as InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Hotels, Crowne Plaza Hotels and Resorts, Indigo Hotels, Staybridge Suites etc and roughly 6000 hotels around the world).
Do check out my post on Intercontinental Hotel Chennai.
Travel Survey Respondents
6000 People ( 2000 in the US, 2000 in the UK and 2000 in Australia ). The Survey was conducted online in Jan 2021 for adults (18+) in every region.
This is so true people are bugged up sitting at home, at any given moment the travelers would like to fly out. This survey shows the true picture, of the things that are out there. Hospitality will definitely bounce back soon.
At the moment I have just been traveling to one day destinations. Still a bit skeptical on the multi day trips. However I would love to do staycations.
COuldn’t agree more, people really need to venture out and so is the travel industry booming. It would be great to see how the industry unfolds post Vaccine. And I am sure tourism will be at its peak post that
This survey reflects the real mindset of the people. Personally I wouldnt want to travel too. If things turn out good I am sure this year travel industry will boom.
Actually after lockdown everyone is more than eager to go out for a change but with less rish which is why stay cations are booming now
As per the new post pandemic world we are living in, everything has changed and so does travel trends. You have made some interesting points based on the survey. These are really insightful.
I travelled a few places after lockdown and in every case I always preferred staycation due to work commitments. Very thoughtful survey by IHG and you made really interesting facts and points.