More than two years on, widespread COVID-19 concern appears to be declining as international travel resumes, amid easing travel restrictions and rising vaccination rates. According to a live poll conducted by GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, 57% of respondents are “not concerned” or are “not very concerned” about the spread of COVID-19, suggesting that tourists are more prepared to live with COVID-19.
GlobalData polling in April, 2020 found more than 70% of respondents were “very concerned” about COVID-19. That was down to just 20.4% in the latest survey,
“The outlook for tourism in many countries is brighter than at any time in the past two years,” said Hannah Free, Travel and Tourism Analyst at GlobalData. “However, the turbulence and uncertainty of COVID-19 has created several challenges which are likely to further complicate recovery.
“Rising demand, coupled with mass layoffs and competition for talent with other sectors, has resulted in widespread labour shortages in several tourism economies such as the UK, the Netherlands, and Spain,” Free said.
A crowded street in Bordeaux, France a few years ago. JIM BYERS PHOTO
As countries gradually lift travel restrictions and tourism restarts in many parts of the world, hygiene and safety must continue to be a priority and coordinated heath protocols that protect workers, communities, and travellers, while supporting companies and workers, must be firmly in place to boost travel confidence.
“The global travel and tourism industry’s post-pandemic recovery is gaining traction as pent-up demand for international travel rekindles,” Free said. “According to GlobalData’s latest forecasts, on a global scale, international departures will reach 68% of pre-COVID levels in 2022.
“This is expected to improve to 82% in 2023, and 97% in 2024, before fully recovering by 2025 at 101% of 2019 levels. There is reason to be cautiously optimistic for the return of travel demand as growth in international travel is finally expected in 2022.”
