Future Travel Trends Post-COVID-19 Vaccine
Last week, Pfizer and BioNTech announced that their first COVID-19 vaccine has proven 90% effective in clinical trials. Furthermore, Moderna delivered more good news this week, confirming that the experimental vaccine currently in operation was shown to be 94.5% effective in preventing the coronavirus. While industry experts have shed light on what this means for the future of travel, these announcements have acted as a boost for the public, who, according to some companies, have been eagerly searching for holidays since the news broke.
Impact of Vaccine News on Travel Searches
According to Skyscanner, UK searches for travel next spring and summer have surged by 48%, week on week. “Over the last few months, we’ve seen travelers in the UK reacting to changes as they happen. It’s early days, but with the promising vaccine news hitting headlines, we observed an immediate spike in searches for travel between April 1 and August 31, 2021. There really is a pent-up appetite for people to get exploring again. This is the single biggest factor in restoring traveler confidence,” stated Jo McClintock, Skyscanner’s Senior Global Brand Director.
Growing Interest in Vacations
Expedia also reported a notable increase in interest from individuals in the United Kingdom following the vaccine announcement. “We have seen newfound positivity following the announcement of a possible vaccine. Looking at accommodation data over the past week, interest in holidays from mid-December onwards grew by 50%. There was a 20% increase in trips within the UK and an impressive 80% increase in interest for international travel, particularly for long-haul destinations,” a representative explained.
Exploring Iceland’s Appeal
“Judging from online traffic and internet searches, there are numerous people daydreaming about Iceland right now,” said Kristjan Sigurjonsson, an industry expert who edits Turisti.is. Interest in the country has indeed been significant, given the incredible nature-based experiences and outdoor activities it offers.
