Asian travellers are slated to kick-start travel ahead of those from Western countries, a study has revealed.
The global survey – Unravel Travel: Fear & Possibilities in a Post Coronavirus World – conducted by social research agency Blackbox Research, data provider Dynata and language partner Language Connect quizzed 10,195 people from across 17 countries about travel in a post-Covid-19 world.
As part of the analysis, countries were given a travel confidence score calculated through two indicators. These are how comfortable a person is to travel internationally in the next 12 months and how well-prepared they feel about their country reopening its tourism and leisure activities.
Thailand and India topped the table with a joint score of 76. Asian countries dominated the list of destinations that rated above the global average of 61. This includes China (69), Indonesia (65), and Singapore (64). France, Germany and Denmark also ranked higher than the global average.
Japan ranked the most cautious country, scoring 40. This is followed by the Philippines (43), and Hong Kong (50). Other countries that scored below the average include Sweden, New Zealand, the UK, Canada and the US.
Saurabh Sardana, Blackbox Research COO, said the scores take in various considerations, including the importance of tourism towards the economy, national management of Covid-19 and past experiences of previous pandemics.
For example, while New Zealand has achieved low cases and good management, it has taken a more cautious approach towards international travel.
Sardana added: “With a significant part of Asia having experienced similar epidemics, it is not surprising that Asian travellers would be more resilient and optimistic about seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.”
In terms of desire for international travel in the short-term, 32 percent of Japanese said long-term trips are off the agenda for now. This was followed by the Philippines (42 percent), New Zealand (43 percent) and Australia (52 percent).
The study also revealed contactless travel will be the new norm. A total of 76 percent of those surveyed said they would opt for travel destinations offering reliable contactless experiences. A further 66 percent said they prefer private travel during transfers, including cars, and chartering private helicopters and planes.
E-boarding passes were desired by 44 percent of respondents, 43 percent want touchless toilets, 40 percent said they want contactless journeys from airports to hotels and 35 percent want digital health passports to be introduced.
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