How many Europeans want to travel despite lockdowns? Read more Skip

• 54% of Europeans aim to make a trip before the end of July 2021, revealing the strong pent-up demand to resume travel
• 1 in 3 Europeans believe that May-July is the most feasible period for their next trip
• Ramping up the efficiency of the vaccine rollout remains the crucial factor in kick-starting travel within Europe

This ETC monthly report provides up-to-date information on the impact of COVID-19 on Europeans’ travel plans and preferences regarding types of destinations and experiences, holiday periods, and anxieties related to travel in the coming months. The report features data collected in January 2021.

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Travellers put health and safety first

Following the introduction of stricter travel rules across Europe, the possibility of getting quarantined and the rising COVID-19 cases at destinations are now of equal concern (15%) to Europeans wishing to travel. Meanwhile, the majority of respondents (69%) shared that they will feel safer and more relaxed if destinations have strict health and safety protocols in place, while only 21% of respondents claim that the protocols may to some extend spoil the travel experience.

At the same time, the COVID-19 vaccines remain the top driver for resuming travel, bringing hope that a mass rollout across Europe will contribute towards tourism recovery. 11% of Europeans indicated that the effective COVID-19 vaccines campaign would play a significant role in their decision to hit the road again, followed by destinations’ effectiveness in managing the health crisis (11%) and COVID-19 testing prior to departure (10%). 

Sun beach destinations already in demand

Europeans’ interest in sun beach vacations expands with the warmer months slowly approaching. According to the survey results, over third of Europeans (34%)are optimistic about taking their next trip between May-July 2021. Travellers from the UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria are most enthusiastic about planning a coastal getaway.

Notably, Europeans are also most eager now to cross borders with 41% of respondents wishing to travel to another European country, the highest figure since the survey began. In comparison, 35% still prefer to travel domestically. 

Confidence in air travel on the rise

Confidence in air travel continues to gradually improve and also supports hope for the recovery of intra-European travel. The share of Europeans planning to take a plane has progressively increased from 49% in September 2020 to 54% in January 2021, while the percentage of those having health concerns about flying has fallen from 20% to 16%.

More details on the full report click here