Vacations During the Pandemic: Safe or Not?

Due to the Covid-19 situation, some countries are still keeping their borders closed. On the other hand, some other countries are opening borders and easing quarantine measures. However, for many people, this does not add confidence. The doubt of whether it is safe to travel now, after the resumption of international traffic, are even more problematic for many of them.

Planning a Vacation During Covid-19

The decision depends on many factors: the mode of travel (by plane, train, car, etc.,), location, latest statistics on cases of Covid-19 infections, quarantine measures, access to vaccine passports, and current prevention methods.

In light of this, how does the public feel about going on vacations again? Is it safe to travel during Covid for most people now? Do they prefer international travel during Covid-19, or do they feel it is safer to go on vacations within their residing nation?

Highlights

• Over 44% think that countries reopening tourism does not mean it is safe to vacation.
• Interestingly, a lot of people (64%) have taken vacations during the pandemic.
• 30% wanted to go on a beach island vacation after this pandemic.

From a total of 200,000 survey participants from Online Survey Application, the majority of the respondents (64.44%) have taken time off for a vacation during the Covid-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, some (35.56%) of them haven’t been on vacation since the pandemic hit.

Moreover, this 64.44% who answered that they indeed went on a vacation, were asked if it’s outside their country of residence or within its borders. 36.58% of the respondents answered with cross-border vacations, with a close difference on those who vacationed locally (34.09%) within their residing country. Meanwhile, 29.33% haven’t gone on any vacation during this pandemic because of varying factors.

Factors To Consider For Traveling During the Pandemic

When asked about why they think it is unsafe to travel, 44.56% of the respondents think that countries reopening for tourism does not mean it is safe to vacation during Covid. 28.26% believe that new variants of the virus are constantly being discovered, hence, it is not safe to travel yet. 7.71% think most vaccines are still not fully efficient. 6.80% feel safer just staying at home, 1.92% think going to the test center for PCR is another risk, and 1.73% said there is no amount of preventive measures that can control the public.

On the other hand, respondents who think it is safe to travel were asked what is their reason for feeling so. First, (53.13%) think all institutions are already following COVID-19 prevention regulations. Second, 16.38% think that it’s safe because most people are vaccinated. Third, (9.09%) think that as long as they follow social distancing measures, it will be fine to go on vacation during Covid. Next, 2.39% are convinced that countries opening borders means it is safe to vacation there. While 1.83% believe they have built an immunity towards the virus, some 0.90% have an updated vaccine passport.

Where To Go For a Vacation After the Pandemic

Furthermore, when this pandemic is over, the survey participants were asked where they would like to vacation first. 26.30% wanted to go on a beach island vacation. It seems fresh salty air and the cool sea breeze are what most people are looking forward to.

20.13% wanted to go to an exotic spa resort hoping to pamper themselves after a long, hard pandemic. With a very small difference, 19.17% want to experience an adventure in the mountains. Perhaps to get some fresh, crisp air from higher ground. 8.51% opted for an international music festival after all this pandemic is over. Crowds and a feeling of community are what this group seems to be missing most.

Some (4.02%) would love to go backpacking across a continent. There is always much to see on our planet and a cruel pandemic was not enough to crush this dream of traveling and seeing more of the world. There is still much beauty to celebrate and enjoy. Meanwhile, 3.42% of the survey participants will feel happy even with just a weekend getaway at a local 5-star hotel. It seems they simply crave to be safely having a break just outside of their homes.

Lastly, 1.84% want to try a wellness retreat. To go somewhere far and quiet to recover from the loss and recuperate. While few (1.21%) of them want a cross-border road trip, to drive with no restrictions or fear.