By Rama Gaind.
Relax on the beach at the Sofitel in Fiji. Photo: Rama Gaind
Since “travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer,” many of us are feeling wealthier now the Federal Government has scrapped exemption requirements for international travel — for the fully vaccinated.
It has been the “biggest and best news” even though certain travel protocols, such as proof of vaccination against COVID-19, must be met.
Now that overseas travel has once again become a reality, research undertaken by the International Travel Sentiments Survey has revealed five key points:
- Four-in-five say international COVID-19 policy will influence destination choice
- 47 per cent worried about being stranded — more so than catching COVID-19
- 64 per cent would feel uncomfortable boarding a flight with unvaccinated passengers
- Top three destinations: New Zealand/Pacific Islands, Asia and Europe
- 36 per cent “not confident” upcoming quarantine changes will maintain safety after travel overseas resumes.
Savvy’s managing director Bill Tsouvalas.
The survey found that while 57 per cent of Australians felt positive about the opening of international borders, they would continue to be strongly influenced by the COVID-19 policies at home and overseas.
According to the survey of 1,000 respondents, the fear of Aussies being stranded overseas due to tightened quarantine quotas or outbreaks in certain countries (47 per cent) outweighed the worry of catching COVID-19 (31 per cent).
Commissioned by Savvy, the survey aimed to learn about people’s attitudes and intentions towards international travel in the midst of a global pandemic. Savvy is one of Australia’s largest online financial brokers, focusing on personal and commercial financial products.
Savvy managing director Bill Tsouvalas said he expected Aussie travellers to be nervous on booking longer holidays, but they were keen to go on trips once more.
“There is an appetite to travel and a lot of people have had two years to save up for a trip, while others may be considering personal loans. Seeing as the upper end of spending is still quite small, with only two per cent saying they’d spend over $20,000, this may indicate nervousness in going on holiday for extended periods. But overwhelmingly, Australians are eager to travel once again. They’ve been waiting a long time.”
Making choices
International Travel Sentiments Survey.
As for where people would go would be influenced by their destination country’s COVID mitigation policies. It was revealed 48 per cent would “very significantly” influence choice, while 31 per cent said it would significantly influence their choice — almost four-in-five respondents.
The reasons for going overseas are overwhelmingly recreational — 87 per cent saying they are primarily leaving for a holiday or to meet family and friends. Three per cent said they would be returning home. As for when that would happen, 23 per cent said within six-to-12 months; 24 per cent within one-to-two years. Only two per cent of respondents said they’d jet off immediately.
As for where they’d like to travel the most, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands topped the survey (26 per cent) followed by Asia (21 per cent) and Europe (20 per cent). Surprisingly, only seven per cent chose the United Kingdom, and six per cent North America.
When it comes to vaccination: 64 per cent of respondents said that they would feel uncomfortable boarding a flight with unvaccinated passengers. Fifty-nine per cent of 55-64-year-olds reported they would feel “very uncomfortable” with the prospect. Only 18 per cent of respondents said they would be comfortable sharing a flight with unvaccinated passengers.
Have a break in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo: Rama Gaind
Airfares and costs: 37 per cent of survey respondents said they would spend between $5,000 and $10,000 on their next international trip, with 46 per cent of 18-24-year-olds agreeing; 30 per cent would spend up to $5,000; and 12 per cent would spend $10,000-$15,000.
Get reinvigorated because the joys of travel are now within our grasp. We are fortunate. As Hans Christian Andersen proclaimed: “To travel is to Live.”
