Travel technology company, Amadeus, carried out a survey to find that 70 percent of travellers across the Asia Pacific (APAC) region are ready to travel domestically. In its ‘Where To Go’ survey that reviewed 1050 CheckMyTrip users across the Asia Pacific, it found that travelers are enthusiastic about taking holidays once travel restrictions lift.
Reconnecting with friends and family through travel is a priority
The report stated: “27 percent of APAC travelers expressed a strong desire to travel immediately when travel restrictions lift, with 37% planning their next trip one to three months after they lift. While there is a strong preference to go farther from home, 70 percent of APAC travelers are ready to travel domestically.” 55 percent of APAC travellers cite reconnecting with friends and family as the predominant reason for their next leisure trip in the upcoming months. Simultaneously, travellers are also looking for adventure tours after months of staying indoors. 34 percent of the respondents expressed a desire to explore unfamiliar destinations for ‘new travel experiences’ and 32 percent desiring to ‘reconnect with the outdoors’.
Ramona Bohwongprasert, Senior Vice President, Retail in Travel Channels, Asia Pacific, Amadeus said: “The data tells us that travel demand is there. Across Asia Pacific, travelers are energized and ready to holiday within their own shores this festive season, to reunite with family and friends or explore new destinations that offer outdoor getaway experiences. However, their behaviors have changed, with travelers not willing to commit to holiday plans too far in advance and COVID-19 factors such as onsite cleanliness and testing measures now weigh in when travelers evaluate accommodation and transit options. Travel sellers and operators will need to cover new ground to provide the experience that domestic tourists are seeking this coming holiday season.”
The demand for guided and group tours has reduced
The demand for specific kinds of travel experiences has also changed. 70 percent of APAC travellers are looking for customized travel experiences over pre-packaged leisure travel options. They would prefer to curate their own holidays either by themselves or with the help of a travel agent. The popularity of guided and group tour packages have significantly declines. Only eight percent of APAC travellers are considering a holiday package with more than 50 people.
Amadeus also conducted interviews with travel agency executives across Asia Pacific including Australia, India and the Philippines. These interviews revealed that 38 percent of agents believe that the way they sell travel will change this year. Agents are also hoping to devise more creative selling strategies to tailor travel offers to specific traveler personas. Flexible packages with insurance coverage will be key attractions for travellers.
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