A new Harris Poll survey requested by the Let’s Go There coalition of travel companies and organizations found that 77 percent of Americans plan to take a trip this summer.
The strong number represents a dramatic one-year turnaround from a similar June 2020 Harris Poll that found just 29 percent of American were planning summer travel last year during the initial grip of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new poll, which is welcome news for commercial aviation, also found that 36 percent of Americans have their summer travel planned out and an additional 30 percent have already booked their travel.
“The moment has finally arrived when most of us can scratch the travel itch that’s been building in us for over a year,” said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association (USTA), a member of the Let’s Go There group. “Polling confirms that Americans are fired up to get back out on the road for a host of reasons. The 100 million or so Americans who are vaccinated need not have any lingering hesitation about booking that trip to get out and see the country this summer.”
Let’s Go There coalition leaders added that consumer confidence in traveling will continue to build as the travel industry remains committed to health and safety.
“With summer just weeks away, we know travelers are ready to go—whether that means exploring favorite destinations they missed over the past year, discovering new outdoor activities, or reconnecting with their families,” said Julius Robinson, chief sales and marketing officer, U.S. and Canada for Marriott International and co-chair of the Let’s Go There Coalition.
The Harris Poll survey asked about the top barriers that might keep people from traveling–or traveling–more this summer and found 42 percent cited health and safety concerns, while 27 percent said the cost of travel and 24 percent noted personal financial concerns, The good news for the travel industry is that 20 percent of Americans surveyed reported no barriers to summer travel.
