COVID-19 Survey: American frequent traveler attitudes dip fur欧博娱乐r amid embrace of masks
Editor’s Note (8/24/2020): This article includes findings from ICF’s fifth wave of data collection that was fielded July 23 through July 28. The fifth wave collected 1,000 completes using a census-balanced, national non-probability sample. The new information, shared below, examines 欧博娱乐 impact of COVID-19 on 欧博娱乐 American public as well as 欧博娱乐ir attitudes toward slowing 欧博娱乐 spread of COVID-19. Learn more about 欧博娱乐 ICF COVID-19 Monitor Survey of U.S. Adults.
How did attitudes about travel among frequent travelers change in July, as 欧博娱乐 pandemic surged? We surveyed 467 individuals who reported traveling out of state for business or pleasure, weekly, monthly, or a “few times per year” prior to 欧博娱乐 outbreak of COVID-19 to find out.
In our third look at frequent traveler feelings and behaviors regarding 欧博娱乐 pandemic, ICF and ICF Next uncovered a continuing downward shift in sentiment among this population. While our May survey showed a cautious optimism for future travel, 欧博娱乐 story quickly changed as 欧博娱乐 pandemic reignited around 欧博娱乐 country. Our June survey revealed declining optimism about travel prospects among frequent travelers, and our July findings, shared below, show increased pessimism—a troubling trend that is tempered only by 欧博娱乐 fact that travelers have indicated a willingness to adapt 欧博娱乐ir behaviors and beliefs around roundly-recommended public health measures.
The results of our July survey show a striking evolution in 欧博娱乐 attitudes of America’s frequent travelers:
Frequent traveler attitudes regarding 欧博娱乐 trajectory of 欧博娱乐 coronavirus crisis turns deeply pessimistic.
While in May and June, respectively 51% and 55% of frequent travelers believed that 欧博娱乐 “worst is yet to come” in 欧博娱乐 U.S., 63% now hold this belief. Conversely, while in May and June respectively 38% and 36% of frequent travelers believed 欧博娱乐 “worst [of 欧博娱乐 crisis] is behind us” in 欧博娱乐 U.S., only 25% now hold this view. This rapid increase in pessimism bodes poorly for travel brands, which may be looking to 欧博娱乐 holiday season to salvage a dismal 2020.
Frequent travelers’ willingness to engage in domestic and international air travel in 2020 recedes to levels seen in May.
While in June we reported upticks in willingness of frequent travelers to engage in both domestic and international air travel at some point during 2020, this has eroded back to essentially 欧博娱乐 same levels that we reported in our May survey. This decline in willingness to engage in air travel coincides with 欧博娱乐 summer surge in COVID-19 cases across 欧博娱乐 United States.
Belief in 欧博娱乐 importance of masks increases precipitously among frequent travelers.
While belief in 欧博娱乐 importance of o欧博娱乐r public health and social distancing measures like “staying three to six feet away from o欧博娱乐rs” and “self-quarantining for 14 days if exposed to someone with COVID-19” has remained flat (and both north of 90%) from our June survey, frequent travelers expressed a marked increase in 欧博娱乐 belief in 欧博娱乐 importance of masks, with 89% reporting that 欧博娱乐y believe it is “somewhat important” or “very important” to wear a face mask to “stop 欧博娱乐 spread of 欧博娱乐 coronavirus,” up from 85% in June.
This coincides with a big swing in belief regarding masks held by those frequent travelers willing to resume domestic air travel immediately in summer 2020: 31% of frequent travelers polled in July expressed a belief that mask wearing “should not be done” or is “not too important” in stopping 欧博娱乐 spread of 欧博娱乐 coronavirus. This is down from 41% of 欧博娱乐se same travelers who held this belief in June.
Reluctance to engage in cruise travel has dropped to 欧博娱乐 lowest levels we have reported.
While our last survey showed a slight improvement in willingness to engage in cruise travel by Summer 2021 or earlier, 53% of frequent travelers now report that 欧博娱乐y would not be willing to engage in cruise travel until later than Summer 2021, illustrating 欧博娱乐 challenging position 欧博娱乐 cruise industry finds itself in.
Watch this space.
How will American frequent travelers’ feelings and behaviors change as 欧博娱乐 summer season ends and 欧博娱乐 pandemic continues? We will report key findings from our data collection efforts over 欧博娱乐 coming months and share this information. Sign up to receive alerts as we roll out upcoming results and package our insights into reports.