Newly released Monitoring Sentiment for Domestic and Intra-European Travel: Wave 10 report from the European Travel Commission finds that although 3 in 5 Europeans plan to travel between January and June 2022, uncertainty as to the timing of travel has doubled because of concerns over the Omicron variant of COVID-19, and 1 in 3 don't plan to travel before May or June.
Only 17% of survey respondents said they have booked their next trip - a new low for this research series.
Top concerns cited are:
- Spending time in quarantine, mentioned by 18%
- Omicron, mentioned by 15%
Preferred length of trip:
- 4-6 nights (31%)
- 10+ nights (27%)
Positive effect of vaccination on travel intentions is diminishing with time:
- Booking intentions: down 8% to 44%
- Optimism about travel: down 15% to 46%
Positive effects of "strict health and safety protocols at the destination" (down 7% to 59%) and "EU Digital Covid Certificate" (down 11% to 52%) have also diminished.
ETC recommendations for destinations:
- Promote summer offerings, particularly sun/beach holidays to those aged 54+.
- Continue marketing to reach those at top of funnel.
- Target domestic audiences emphasizing comfort and safety.
- Resume promotion of small/medium meetings and conventions for March/June.
ETC recommendations for businesses:
- Promote 10+-night sun/beach holidays.
- Promote to last-minute bookers for trips right now.
- Promote to over-54 prospects emphasizing health and safety.
