Follow-up to early COVID-19 impact survey shows respondents trust themselves more than governments and public policies: In late September and October of this year, Oliver Wyman—a New York City-headquartered research and consulting firm with offices in more than 60 cities worldwide—conducted its second global survey of travelers to capture how views of travel are changing as the COVID-19 pandemic, and responses to it, evolve.
The previous survey was conducted in April/May and those results can be found here. The second survey involved more than 4,600 people across nine countries (Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, United States), all of whom had flown at least once in 2019. A third also have traveled by air and/or rail in the past six months. The first survey was conducted after the initial peak in COVID-19 cases, border closures, and lockdowns; the second was conducted as COVID-19 cases began to grow to a new peak in Europe.
In deciding when they will be ready to travel, survey respondents are putting less weight on government and public policy and more on personal risk assessment, as compared to the May survey. Despite cases being on the upswing during the survey period, some 30 percent of respondents in France and Italy and 25 percent in the United States think it’s okay to travel now.
Oliver Wyman’s second survey took place in September and last month, involving more than 4,600 people across nine countries (Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, United States), all of whom had flown at least once in 2019. A third also have traveled by air and/or rail in the past six months. The first survey was conducted after the initial peak in COVID-19 cases, border closures, and lockdowns; the second was conducted as COVID-19 cases began to grow to a new peak in Europe.
Findings/Exhibits
In deciding when they will be ready to travel, survey respondents are putting less weight on government and public policy and more on personal risk assessment, as compared to the May survey. Despite cases being on the upswing during the survey period, some 30 percent of respondents in France and Italy and 25 percent in the United States think it’s okay to travel now.
Exhibit 1: “When do you think it will be okay to start your first trip after the COVID-19 outbreak?”
First choice, % of total survey respondents
Source: Oliver Wyman 2020 Traveler Sentiment Survey, Oliver Wyman analysis
Leisure Travel: Interest in leisure travel remains strong, with 63 percent expecting to travel the same amount or more post-pandemic. Half or more of leisure travel respondents in Canada, United Kingdom, France, and Germany expect their next leisure trip post-pandemic to be international (Exhibit 2). In Europe and Asia/Australia, leisure travelers largely expect their next international trip to be within their own regions. More than half of Americans planning an international next trip, however, want to go to Europe.
Exhibit 2: “Leisure travel: When COVID-19 travel restrictions are lifted, what is your likely destination for your next leisure trip?”
% of country’s respondents
Source: Oliver Wyman 2020 Traveler Sentiment Survey, Oliver Wyman analysis
Teleconferencing is becoming the communications tool of choice, but business travelers are less convinced that teleconferencing is effective for building new relationships (Exhibit 4). For travel companies, these findings suggest that their messaging to customers will need to focus heavily on the importance of people coming together to forge or maintain relationships.
Exhibit 3: “Do you agree or disagree with the following statements on teleconferencing?”
% of respondents, only those that travel for business
Source: Oliver Wyman 2020 Traveler Sentiment Survey, Oliver Wyman analysis
For the complete early report, which contains findings on the matters of cleanliness and safety,visit here.
