Study: Vaccine hopes encourage travelers

A majority of travelers feel that a proven COVID-19 vaccine would make them feel safe to travel again, according to Allianz Partners’ latest survey of its U.S. travel insurance customers.

The travel insurance and assistance provider’s study found that 58% — up as many as six points from Allianz’s spring survey just after the pandemic began — of customers would feel safe to travel again with a proven vaccine.

Travelers over the age of 65 placed more importance on the vaccine compared to customers under the age of 45.

Beyond an effective vaccine, travelers want to see health officials declare that it is safe to travel (48%) and also know that hotels, airports and other suppliers are taking enhanced safety measures such as advanced sanitization (47% ). The latter is the most important factor among customers under the age of 45.

Additionally, Allianz determined that nearly one-third of respondents (32%) are uncertain when they’ll travel next. However, the results show that age will ultimately play a key role, with 9% of customers over the age of 65 planning to travel this season, compared to 18% of customers under the age of 45.

What’s more, the research shows that most travelers (70%) plan to fly for their next trip rather than drive (19%), which could mean good news for the reeling airline industry.

Allianz’s study results reflect a random sample of 3,500 online travel agency, business-to-consumer, airline and retail customers who purchased a policy between Nov. 1, 2019, and Sept. 30, 2020, and responses were gathered from Oct. 27 to Nov. 9, 2020.