With the tourism industry starting to get back on its feet, Asian travelers have shown more confidence regarding traveling in the new normal, compared to their Western counterparts, according to a recent global study.
The study showed that travel confidence among travelers is measured by a score, by considering two indicators: how comfortable a person is for traveling internationally in the next 12 months, and how well-prepared they are regarding their country reopening its tourism and leisure activities.
With a score of 76, India and Thailand are tied for top place with most of their citizens confident about travelling in the new normal. Asian countries dominated the list of countries scoring above the global average of 61, including China (69), Indonesia (65), and Singapore (64). France, Germany, and Denmark also rated above the global average.
Japan rated the most cautious scoring 40, followed by the Philippines (43), and Hong Kong (50). Other countries scoring below the global average included Sweden, New Zealand, the UK, Canada, and the US.
Notably, New Zealand exhibited a more cautious attitude towards international travel.
Overall, international leisure travel in the short-term is not in the list for most people, with 44 per cent of respondents keen to avoid international vacations.
The study also indicted that aspiration for regional travel has led to emerging travel trends in many destinations. Australia and Japan has emerged as two most popular destinations for Asian travelers, while Spain occupies the top spot for European travelers given that its Covid-19 cases went down in June.
The countries whose tourism appeal was harshly affected during the pandemic are China, Italy, and the US.
For winning over future travelers, tourism boards and travel operators need to prioritize safety during travel, with travelers willing to pay a premium for such assurances, according to the study. Globally, 80 per cent are eager to pay more for safer accommodation, while 74 per cent are enthusiastic for a higher premium for travel insurance in exchange for protection against pandemics.
Tags: ASIA
