- The research is welcome news for the travel industry, with 50% of travelers globally and 52% of those in Singapore expecting to take a flight for business later this year
- Singaporean business and leisure travelers are focusing on regional travel, with both groups ranking Asia as the top destination for their trips in the next year
- The global study of nine markets provides insight on traveler attitudes and sentiment around restrictions, digital health data and sustainable travel
The survey of 9,074 consumers across France, Germany, India, Spain, Russia, Singapore, the UAE, the UK, and the US shows the appetite to travel is high. At the same time, it reveals that greater clarity on restrictions and guidelines will be key to unlocking increased traveler confidence. Over a third (35%) of travelers said the current international guidelines around where and how to travel are confusing, making them less likely to book business and/or leisure travel. In Asia Pacific (APAC), 37% of travelers in India and 40% of those in Singapore shared the same sentiment.
At the same time, travelers are exhibiting increased openness to embrace technology and a willingness to share health data so they can start traveling again.
When asked about the receptiveness to share personal health data, the survey results show:
- 93% of travelers globally would be willing to provide personal data for the effective use of digital health passports or certificates, a slight increase from 91% in February 2021. In both India and Singapore, the figure was slightly higher than the global average at 95%.
- Almost half (48%) of business travelers worldwide would be willing to provide their health data to visit a conference or event, compared to 53% in India and 54% in Singapore. Meanwhile 36% of leisure travelers would be willing to share such information for an excursion or activity at destination, versus 35% and 38% of Indian and Singaporean leisure travelers respectively.
When asked which technology would increase confidence to travel in the next 12 months, mobile solutions continue to be the most popular, with the top technologies including:
- Mobile applications that provide on-trip notifications and alerts (44%) (India: 55%; Singapore: 45%)
- Self-service check-in (41%) (India: 49%; Singapore: 53%)
- Contactless mobile payments (e.g., Apple or Google Pay, Paypal, Venmo) (41%) (India: 47%; Singapore: 47%)
- Automated and flexible cancellation policies (40%) (India: 42%; Singapore: 45%)
Mobile applications and contactless technology have remained top technologies across all three studies, with the addition of automated and flexible cancellation policies in this final instalment.
The research is the third in a series of traveler sentiment surveys, where Amadeus takes a regular checkpoint on traveler sentiment and concerns to help the industry rebuild travel in the most effective way. Both the 2020 Rethink Travel survey (Sept 2020) and Rebuild Travel Digital Health (Feb 2021) survey revealed how technology can help to increase traveler confidence and Amadeus revisited this question to see how traveler confidence has changed since September 2020. 97% of travelers now say that technology will increase their confidence to travel, up from 91% in February 2021 and 84% in September 2020, showing a growing sense of traveler confidence in technology.
When considering the future of travel and sustainability, the survey highlighted what solutions travelers believe might help the industry to become more sustainable long-term. The results showed:
- Nearly half (46%) of travelers said greater availability of green modes of transport, e.g., electric planes or trains. The figures in India (51%) and Singapore (53%) were slightly higher.
- A similar percentage (44%) believe making sustainable travel more cost effective would be beneficial. Exactly half (50%) of the respondents in Singapore, and 49% in India, felt this way.
- 41% say transparency around travel companies’ sustainability policies would help. Here, too, the numbers were higher for APAC travelers, with 54% in India and 50% in Singapore rating this a priority.
Although receptiveness to travel in the next year is high, the travel industry needs to consider how to respond to changing traveler concerns as the travel environment continues to adapt. The three main concerns travelers have are:
- Fears of catching COVID-19 while traveling (41%) (India: 54%; Singapore: 54%)
- Self-isolation or quarantine before and after travel (41%) (India: 42%; Singapore: 44%)
- Changing restrictions resulting in last minute cancellations (37%) (India: 29%; Singapore: 41%)
In comparison to the previous studies, fears of catching the virus maintain a top concern for travelers, alongside self-isolation, or quarantine.
Jonathan Tong, Vice President, Airline Solutions & IT Sales, Asia Pacific, Amadeus, says, “As countries in Asia Pacific achieve higher vaccination rates, they are beginning to reopen their borders and restart international travel. However, it’s becoming increasingly clear that for international travel to restart in a meaningful way, technology will need to play a central role. For example, biometric and contactless solutions can help reduce transmission of the virus, while digital health passes will help create a more frictionless and stress-free experience for travelers. Amadeus continues to advocate for closer collaboration between stakeholders across the industry including, airlines, hotels, technology providers and governments, to expedite the industry’s recovery.”
Decius Valmorbida, President, Travel, Amadeus, says, “The travel industry still faces many challenges in light of COVID-19, but we are seeing positive steps taken as restrictions lift and developments in digital health certificates continue around the world. This research demonstrates the appetite to travel continues to grow, and that travelers are looking forward to advancements in areas such as touchless technology, digital health and sustainable travel. Now is the time to listen even more closely to travelers’ needs so we can rebuild our industry in a way that is more traveler focused, resilient and sustainable.”
Francisco Pérez-Lozao Rüter, President, Hospitality, Amadeus, comments, “This three-part series of research has highlighted the essential role that both technology and data have to play in the recovery of our industry and increasing traveler confidence. In hospitality specifically we are seeing how our hotel customers are implementing solutions that complement and streamline experiences without losing the human touch while using data to better prepare for guest demands. At Amadeus we are committed to rebuilding a better industry and working closely with our customers to provide the tools to achieve this.”
To learn more about the results of the survey, read our global report here:
Research methodology
The survey was conducted in September 2021 by global insight-driven research firm Censuswide to explore traveler sentiment in light of COVID-19 towards digital health data and technology to help rebuild travel. The findings were based on 9,055 respondents residing in France, Germany, Spain, UAE, Russia, India, Singapore, UK and US who have traveled abroad in the last 18 months (with a minimum of 1,000 respondents per market). Fieldwork was carried out between 2nd – 14th September 2021. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles.
About Amadeus
Travel powers progress. Amadeus powers travel. Amadeus’ solutions connect travelers to the journeys they want through travel agents, search engines, tour operators, airlines, airports, hotels, cars and railways.
We have developed our technology in partnership with the travel industry for over 30 years. We combine a deep understanding of how people travel with the ability to design and deliver the most complex, trusted, critical systems our customers need. We help connect over 1.6 billion people a year to local travel providers in over 190 countries.
We are one company, with a global mindset and a local presence wherever our customers need us.
Our purpose is to shape the future of travel. We are passionate in our pursuit of better technology that makes better journeys.
Amadeus is an IBEX 35 company, listed on the Spanish Stock Exchange under AMS.MC.
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