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Thursday 1 OcTOber 2020

After a long chill, Survey of Travel Advisors shows:

Clients are warming up to deals, interest international travel stable

KANSAS CITY, MO — MMGY couver, British Columbia
Myriad, a leader in inter- and the Canadian Rock-
national destination mar- ies. Inquiries for Mexico,
keting, and Travel Market the Caribbean and Europe
Report, a news publication are predictably for famil-
that serves as the voice iar and historically popular
of travel advisors in North destinations, while certain
America, have released the long-haul, bucket list trips
latest findings of the Travel continue to be of interest
Advisors COVID-19 Senti- as well.
ment Barometer (Wave The Riviera Maya/Cancun,
III). This online survey, de- Los Cabos and Jamaica
signed and analyzed by are at the top of the list
MMGY Travel Intelligence, for travelers looking to visit
monitors the impact of the Mexico and the Carib-
COVID-19 pandemic on bean, while Greece, Italy,
travel agencies. London, Croatia, Ireland
and France were the most
Since the survey began in inquired about European
June, advisors have con- destinations. Australia, Tahi-
sistently reported interest ti, Hawaii, Japan and Thai-
in international travel is ac- land are most popular with
counting for about 25% of travelers looking to explore
customer inquiries, show- long-haul destinations.
ing that the ever-changing The following are addition-
restrictions on travel and swings in consumer interest of advisor inquiries prior to far ahead for internation- al key findings from Wave
headlines about the spread for international travel. For the pandemic. al travel, as there was an III of the Travel Advisors
of COVID-19 internationally comparison, international increase in the percent- COVID-19 Sentiment Ba-
are not causing up or down travel accounted for 40% Travelers are also looking age of international trav- rometer, which surveyed
el, cruises and group tour 440 travel advisors in the
vacations being booked U.S. and Canada from Au-
within the next 12 months. gust 24-September 8, 2020.
Domestic travel continues North American beach
to be the most attractive and mountain destinations
type of trip for customers continue to be of most in-
at the moment, account- terest to clients, with clients'
ing for 40% of all inquiries. interest in North American
Additionally, advisors re- mountain destinations
ported in August that 20% higher than in June and
of incoming North Ameri- July.
can travel bookings are for Clients continue to feel
the next 30 days, up from more comfortable staying
16% in July. It's important in smaller, more private ac-
to note that at the same commodations in lieu of
time there was also a size- larger hotels or short-term
able increase in the num- rentals, though all accom-
ber of advisors who believe modation types show rising
promotional offers would interest.
impact booking decisions, Advisors report the major-
which rose from 39% in July ity of clients are interested
to 44% in August. in couple’s vacations, fol-
lowed by family vacations
A look at advisors' most - both with their immediate
popular destination inqui- family and multigenera-
ries shows travelers are tional trips.
seeking out sunshine and Health concerns related
the great outdoors for do- to COVID-19, government
mestic trips. advisories/restrictions and
The most inquired about concerns about the visi-
U.S. destinations are Alas- tor experience continue to
ka, Florida, California, Ha- be the primary barriers to
waii, Las Vegas and Colo- travel, though they are all
rado, while the top Cana- down compared to July. q
dian destinations are Van- Source: Tourism Analytics.