As Coronavirus starts to wane, Americans look to travel as the next step to normalcy

Sadia Corey VP, Client Development 05/28/2021

As Covid restrictions continue to ease across America, it’s no surprise that Americans are itching for a change of scenery. Savanta decided to dig deeper into America’s travel plans this summer, and it appears that Americans will be road-tripping within our borders while enjoying the comforts of hotel lodging.

65% of Americans who said they would travel this summer will travel by car, and 30% of Americans who said they would travel this summer will travel by airplane.

After a brutal winter of isolation, Savanta reports that 75% of Americans plan to travel during the summer, and 90% of these people plan to travel within the country. Elizabeth Blount McCormick, president of international travel management company Uniglobe Travel Designers, says Americans have a new respect for travel within the United States. “There are so many off-the-beaten-path places and experiences that you can have,” she says. “And I think that people are more appreciative and love the dynamic country that we live in and how different it is from the South to the Pacific Northwest.”

Domestic travel is also likely more appealing due to the logistics required to travel overseas. Only 10% of Americans plan to travel internationally this summer, which is no surprise considering the recent Executive Order, which requires a negative coronavirus test result before entering the United States.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that now is not a time to be taking discretionary trips abroad. Travel can increase the chances of spreading the coronavirus at home and overseas, and the world is preparing for the impact of new coronavirus variants that experts warn are more contagious.

When it comes to transportation, most Americans are packing up their cars rather than traveling by air this summer. 65% of Americans who said they would travel this summer will travel by car, and 30% of Americans who said they would travel this summer will travel by airplane.

Hotels remain the most popular choice for vacationers in the summer of 2021. 55% of Americans who said they would travel this summer plan to stay in a hotel. Hotels are excited to be swinging open their doors with more confidence this summer to a market hungry to get back out there. CNTravelor reports that as early as March, Marriott’s 30 brands, which include St. Regis and JW Marriott, have been seeing bookings into September.

Even though many hotels will have some Covid restrictions in place, most Americans are not eager to “rough it” as only 6% of Americans traveling this summer plan to camp outdoors.