Travel demand grows between June to September.
Singapore – Travel in the post-pandemic world has been redefined in many ways – rebuilding trust in travel again while navigating through a complex and high-cost travel environment has made travellers much more aware of their travel planning needs.
Expedia’s latest Travel for the Real study found that confidence in travel comes with ease of restrictions. Most people feel safe as they are vaccinated (69%) and find testing/entry requirements easier to manage (58%) now that countries have relaxed their entry restrictions.
The Travel for Real study surveyed 1,000 Singaporeans between 18-45 years old who travel for leisure at least once every three years, with an aim to understand what stimulates travel confidence in the post-pandemic world.
More trips booked as travel confidence increases
When asked about reasons for their decision to travel this year, 6 in 10 Singaporeans considered it safer to travel as restrictions have eased, and countries have started to reopen their borders, with relaxed entry requirements. Travel confidence is evident with more than 52% feeling more confident to travel. 73% of Singaporean travellers are also planning to travel overseas this summer and among them and 40% have booked their summer trip.
Singaporean travellers generally feel safe now that they are vaccinated and know that most travellers today are. 27% and 29% of travellers aged 18 – 25 and 26 – 35 respectively have booked their summer travel plans, while 33% of travellers aged 36 – 45 have made theirs. Younger travellers take a longer time to observe situations in planning their trips.
For those who were still hesitant to travel this summer, the most common reason was budget (45%), as travel costs have increased compared to pre-covid times. This is most common among the 18 – 35 age group where 48% cited budget to be among their top concerns as compared to 37% among travellers aged 36 – 45. More than half of respondents also felt that a refundable/ flexible booking policy helped to boost their confidence in travel.
Travellers looking to take a longer time-out from reality
For those looking to travel, trips have been planned for longer durations. Of the 73% planning to travel this summer, the majority (50%) plan to take one trip while 30% are planning to take two trips. Almost 1 in 2 (46%) would like to have a trip that lasts at least 6 days. Travellers aged between 18 – 25 are also most keen on taking trips that last 6 – 9 days (31%), or a trip of 4 – 5 days (29%). Meanwhile, 37% of travellers aged 26 – 35 are most keen to take a 4 – 5-day trip, while 32% of them are keen on a 6 – 9-day trip.
New motivations to travel beyond bucket list, giving travel a new meaning
The pandemic allowed Expedia to introduce better travel planning tools for travellers to get the best out of their travel investment. In tandem with the survey, the following traveller planning trends were revealed:
- On things to do during a trip, the study showed that visiting their bucket list destinations and relaxing and doing nothing are at 32% respectively.
- The pandemic has impacted lives differently, as some travellers prefer to prioritise personal well-being more than before.
- 31% would like to try a new cuisine or a restaurant that they have not tried or been to, while 29% would like to revisit a place that was closed during the pandemic.
Lavinia Rajaram, Asia Head of Public Relations, Expedia Group, said, “It is encouraging to see Singaporeans finding confidence and feeling excitement about travel again. With many travel restrictions easing over the past months, Singaporeans have been inspired to take to the skies once again and fulfil that pent-up travel desire”.
When we looked back at the 2022 Travel Trends Report released at the start of the year, travellers were open to last-minute trips and travelled with a carpe diem mindset. Fast forward to now, we see travel behaviours shifting towards plans that cater to more meaningful experiences for their well-being. That said, the wanderlust for new sensations and discoveries remains.
“Prices are already indicating a huge demand for travel, and planning is going to be key in finding that sweet spot for a good deal,” she added.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
