Although it may be a while before travelers experience the world as freely as they did pre-Coronavirus (COVID-19), our recent research shows that there is still a big appetite for traveling with 65% of global travelers excited about the possibilities that traveling presents once all restrictions are lifted and it is safe to do so.
With a mission to make it easier for everyone to experience the world, we are sharing some top tips on how travelers can get the most value out of an upcoming trip, whenever it’s safe to travel again.
Research your inspiration
Even though the world is filled with countless amazing places to visit, with ever-evolving travel restrictions, it can be hard to choose which destination to travel to next. The first important step for planning a trip, especially nowadays, is to do research. Local government websites are a good place to start as they are able to provide the latest information about travel restrictions. Next step is to find your inspiration! According our recent research over a half of global travelers (51%) use search engines for vacation inspiration. More than a third (36%) find their inspiration talking with friends and family about their travel recommendations, and two-fifths (39%) visit travel accommodation websites to get inspired for an upcoming trip.
Photo: Booking.com
Choose the right trip type
Think about what type of trip to take, whether it’s a city trip or nature trip to discover the natural beauty of your own country. According to our recent research, a majority of global travelers prefer to take a relaxing trip (51%) in the next 12 months and over half of global travelers (53%) want to take more short breaks, like weekend trips, than they did in 2019. Also important to think about how you’ll travel to reach your destination. While 46% of global travelers are still likely to avoid traveling by plane and 46% are likely to avoid public transit, a great option is to travel by car and take a road trip.
Travel is always better with your favorite travel buddy
Another important step in planning your trip is to think about who your travel companion(s) will be. According our recent research, a majority of global travelers (61%) want to focus on traveling with a small group of friends or family and 33% want to travel locally to reconnect with friends or family. For those who either enjoyed their time at home by themself or are yearning for some alone time, traveling is also a great opportunity to enjoy a change of scenery. Booking.com research shows that 30%* of global travelers want to focus on themselves by traveling solo once all travel restrictions are lifted.
Photo: Booking.com
Safety first
More than three-quarters (79%) of global travelers will take more precautions due to Coronavirus, while 70% say they are are more likely to book a particular accommodation if it’s clear what health and hygiene policies it has in place. Whether your preference is to stay in a hotel or in a vacation home, it’s important to think about your personal needs and how to travel safely with the right hygiene and social distancing measures in place during your stay. With over 14 million listings on Booking.com now having implemented health and safety measures (such as hygiene, sanitisation, physical distancing) that are clearly visible on the property page, as well as new search filters to make finding these properties as well as private, whole home accommodations easy, travelers can rest assured that they will have a safe and healthy stay.
Photo: Booking.com
Get more bang for your buck
To encourage travelers to continue to make their travel dreams a reality as it becomes safe to travel again, Booking.com is offering a free 7-day trial of its Genius loyalty program for all new app customers. Genius is Booking.com’s loyalty program, which provides travel rewards the more you book. Rewards include discounted rates at participating accommodations, as well as free room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, and more! In addition to the existing discounts already available at participating Genius properties worldwide, we are also extending our Genius program benefits to include 10% discounts on select car rental options. Perfect for the more than half (58%) of global travelers who are eager to travel to nearby regions or countries that are accessible by car.
Last, but not least, we are also offering travel offers with discounts that start at 15 percent – good news for the 68% of global travelers who expect travel companies to support them in their future travel plans, for example via promotions.
*Research commissioned by Booking.com and conducted among a sample of adults who have traveled for business or leisure in the past 12 months, and must be planning to travel in the next 12 months (if/once travel restrictions are lifted). In total 20,934 respondents across 28 countries were polled (including from 999 USA, 496 from Canada, 497 from Mexico, 997 from Colombia, 999 from Brazil, 499 from Argentina, 995 from Australia, 499 from New Zealand, 999 from Spain, 996 from Italy, 996 from France, 999 from UK, 996 from Germany, 498 from Netherlands, 499 from Denmark, 499 from Sweden, 498 from Croatia, 1001 from Russia, 498 from Israel, 997 from India, 994 from China, 499 from Hong Kong, 497 from Thailand, 496 from Singapore, 499 from Taiwan, 997 from South Korea, 500 from Vietnam and 995 from Japan). Respondents completed an online survey in July 2020.
Founded in 1996 in Amsterdam, Booking.com has grown from a small Dutch startup to one of the world’s leading digital travel companies. Part of Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG), Booking.com’s mission is to make it easier for everyone to experience the world. By investing in the technology that helps take the friction out of travel, Booking.com seamlessly connects millions of travelers with memorable experiences, a range of transportation options and incredible places to stay – from homes to hotels and much more. As one of the world’s largest travel marketplaces for both established brands and entrepreneurs of all sizes, Booking.com enables properties all over the world to reach a global audience and grow their businesses. Booking.com is available in 44 languages and offers more than 28 million total reported accommodation listings, including more than 6.5 million listings alone of homes, apartments and other unique places to stay. No matter where you want to go or what you want to do, Booking.com makes it easy and backs it all up with 24/7 customer support.
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