New Consumer Polling – Looking Forward: Consumer Preferences for Travel in 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 12, 2021

Media Contact: 

Tricia Busch | tbusch@kivvit.com

New Travel Technology Association Poll: Travelers Value Choice and In-State Travel for 2021 

After grinding to a halt in 2020, travel is expected to boom in 2021 with over 80% of consumers saying they plan to travel

Arlington, Virginia — Today, The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) released new polling data from a survey of over 2,000 individuals in the United States on travel preferences in 2021. The data overwhelmingly reveals travelers value a wide array of travel options that facilitate easy planning and booking and prioritize safety as travel is expected to boom this year.  

The reports key findings on 2021 travel include: 

Pent-up demand for travel:

• 80% of respondents said they are likely to travel this year
• 76% of consumers are likely to travel once they receive the vaccine
• 57% of consumers are likely to attend a live event like a concert or sporting event in 2021 if open and available
• 74% of consumers are likely to visit an outdoor attraction, such as a theme park or a national/state park, this year

The Value of Choice for Consumers:

• 62% of travelers plan on using an online travel agency or metasearch platform to search and book travel

Enthusiasm for Short-Term Rentals:

• Nearly 75% of consumers who are very likely to travel in 2021 believe short-term rentals provide a valuable alternative to other lodging options when considering travel priorities like safety precautions
• 1/3 of travelers plan on staying at a short-term rental in 2021

Overwhelming Popularity of In-State Travel:

• 73% of consumers plan on traveling in-state this year
• Over 72% of consumers say they would be more likely to travel if the government provided a travel tax credit for use in 2021 and 2022
• 87% of respondents plan on driving to their destination this year and over 65% of travelers plan to drive up to 6 hours, making in-state and bordering state travel the go-to for much of post-pandemic travel

“The travel industry has endured enormous strain this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, yet this data shows there is light at the end of the tunnel with Americans ready to travel in 2021,” said Steve Shur, President of the Travel Technology Association. “The survey results clearly indicate that consumers appreciate the convenience and efficiency of what OTAs and metasearch platforms provide–being able to shop across brands, see all of their options in one place and book packages that include air, accommodations, car rentals and tours and tickets.” 

Media interviews will be available upon request with Steve Shur.

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The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) is the voice of the travel technology industry, advocating for public policy that promotes transparency and competition in the marketplace to encourage innovation and preserve consumer choice. We represent the leading innovators in travel technology, including Global Distribution Systems, online travel agencies and metasearch companies, and short-term rental platforms.