New survey results released by travel researchers STR show that in February 2021, 44% of respondents said they are "less likely to travel on long-haul trips now due to COVID-19" vs. 63% surveyed in August 2020.

Characteristics of persons eager to resume long-haul travel include:

• Younger, typically aged 16 to 54
• More Americans than Europeans, more Europeans than Brits
• Less concerned about COVID-19 health risks
• Have fewer concerns related specifically to traveling, including by air
• More worried about cancellations and refunds than about COVID-19
• More active in researching and planning holidays right now
• More likely to have recently taken an overnight trip
• Active in-market, so more easily targeted and converted
• Rely more on hotels for accommodation vs. friends/family
• Accommodation choice more likely to be influenced by personal recommendations and reviews

When these long-haul enthusiasts will be ready to travel:

• Ready now (23%)
• In the next 6 months (16%)
• By the end of 2021 (23%)
• Sometime in 2022 (27%)
• After 2022 (5%)
• Not in foreseeable future (6%)

Regarding leisure travel in general:

• 66% of survey respondents said they have planned, booked or undertaken travel since 1 January 2021.
• 75% said they plan to take an overnight trip in 2021 despite national and regional lockdowns.
• Most will opt to stay close to home.

Regarding international travel:

• 53% of respondents said that compared with pre-pandemic, they will be more likely or as likely to travel internationally when travel restrictions are eased and more people are vaccinated.
• 85% said that compared with pre-pandemic, they will be more likely or as likely to travel internationally when the pandemic is completely over.
• Travel in and out of the UK is likely to lag behind that to/from North America and continental Europe because of stringent COVID-19 travel restrictions.

Survey data come from a sample of 1,333 members of the STR Traveler Panel.