AFTER a year of no travel Singaporean are hopeful to hit the road again following vaccine rollout and with ongoing talks of air travel bubbles, revealed a new Booking.com research.
Findings showed that seven in 10 (71%) Singaporean travellers feel more hopeful about travelling this year as the country ramps up its vaccination programme, while the same number is optimistic about getting back to travel with the potential development of air travel bubbles.
Not being able to travel extensively in 2020 has made Singaporeans yearn to travel more in 2021, with 70% of respondents stating this intent.
The eagerness among Singaporeans to get back to travel is not surprising as an Expedia study finds that Singaporeans are the most vacation deprived.
The Booking.com research was conducted among more than 28,000 travellers across 28 countries and territories, including Singapore, as part of a global study to uncover what travellers feel most hopeful about as it becomes safe to travel again, and what support they believe the travel industry needs to get back on its feet.
Trust in vaccines runs deep among Singaporean travellers with 63% of those polled stating that they would not travel internationally until they have been vaccinated, rising to 69% among those 55+ years old. A higher number (67%) states they will only travel to countries that have implemented vaccination programmes. There is, however, some hesitation as almost half (52%) remain sceptical as to whether a vaccine will truly help make travel safer.
Over a year of no travel has shown how vacation-deprived Singaporean travellers are, as almost two thirds (65%) of the respondents state they would rather go on a vacation in 2021 than find true love. Meanwhile 59% say they would prioritise traveling over success at work, preferring to go on vacation than get promoted.
Findings also show six in ten (62%) of those surveyed have used the increased time at home to plan future travel while slightly over half (54%) have banked more vacation days, so are excited about the potential of taking longer vacations in 2021.
On their dream vacation, 51% of Singaporean travellers feel confident that they’ll be able to hit the beach by this summer, and 18% say a relaxing beach or spa trip will be the first type of trip when it’s safe to do so. Only 9% will book a city break and 5% say an active break is a priority.
Despite feeling optimistic to hit the road again Singaporean travellers, like their counterparts worldwide, say that not being able to travel in 2020 like they used to in previous years has had a significant effect on their well-being, with 52% reporting a negative impact on their mental health and 47% having felt imprisoned in their own home due to travel restrictions.
Call for support to get travel back on its feet, safely
Following Covid’s impact on the travel industry, 96% of Singaporean travellers think the industry needs to be supported to get back on its feet. Nearly three quarters (74%) believe that government financial stimuli are now needed to help travel’s recovery, and over two thirds (69%) worry that the industry won’t survive unless it is supported with government grants.
While 70% of Booking.com’s accommodation partners surveyed are cautiously optimistic about the future of their business they share travellers’ mindset that the industry needs support, as the majority of them would like to see governments do more in the future to assist the travel industry during the ongoing pandemic.
According to properties of all types and sizes, three key areas that need to be addressed are more consistent international standards when it comes to travel advice and rules, speeding up vaccine rollout programmes and wider access to pre-travel Covid testing.
Meanwhile, Singaporean travellers are willing to accept only being able to travel if they could prove they have been vaccinated, with 71% saying they will wear a face mask when travelling, and 61% showing support for a ‘no mask no travel’ ban (unless exempt). Two thirds (68%) are open to travel in small groups of two to six people.
To help the travel industry more directly, 25% of Singaporeans plan to use travel credits/vouchers from cancelled trips instead of requesting a refund, while 22% will buy vouchers for family and friends for them to use when it’s safe to travel again.
In helping to revive tourism 28% of Singaporeans surveyed say they plan to choose less frequented destinations, and 27% want to book independent accommodations or accommodations in or near their hometown to support local businesses (32%).
• Featured image credit (Terminal 3 of Changi Airport in Singapore): Stephane_Jaquemet/Getty Images