A new survey by the European Travel Commission finds that despite concerns about increasing infections of the Delta variant of COVID-19 at destinations, almost 70% of Europeans say they plan to travel between now and the end of January 2022, 35% in their own country and 55% to another country in Europe.

Other significant findings:

• Increasing vaccination rates permit 54% of Europeans to feel more optimistic about traveling in the next few months.
• But 17% of respondents said they are unwilling to travel in the short term.
• 50% plan to book a trip as soon as they are vaccinated.
• 57% expect the EU Digital COVID Certificate to facilitate short-term trip planning.
• 20% plan to extend the summer season by taking a trip to the coast or a rural area in October or November.
• Top destination choices for those planning to visit another country are:
  1. Italy
  2. Spain
  3. France
  4. Greece
  5. Croatia
• 44% of those aged 54+ plan to travel domestically, vs. 27% of those aged 18-24.
• Drivers of anxiety about travel include:
  1. Quarantine (cited by 18%)
  2. Rising COVID-19 case numbers at the destination (16%)
  3. Possible changes to travel restrictions during trip (15%)
• Concerns about personal health and safety while traveling relate mainly to:
  1. Air travel (17%)
  2. In-destination travel (15%)
  3. Cafes and restaurants (13%)

Results are based on a survey of 4,003 residents of Europe conducted in 3Q2021.