Inflation has a minimal impact on travel: 79% of the world’s most experienced travellers report inflation won’t cause them to cancel their travel plans. More than a fifth of travellers (21%) plan to spend more time and money on trips to make up for curtailed travel due to the pandemic, according to the Global Rescue Summer 2022 Traveler Safety and Sentiment Survey.
Incidents of staff shortages among pilots, flight attendants, gate agents and ground crews are affecting travel schedules. Still, the majority of travellers (58%) have not been touched by it, according to the survey results. Despite the news headlines, the world’s most experienced travellers are making their intentions clear: they will travel no matter what.
“Travelers are sending a clear message. They are eager to regain their family vacations, adventure travels and business trips. By overwhelming margins, they are pressing forward with international and domestic travel despite rising costs and airline staff shortages. They are confident they’ll be able to travel and return home,” said Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue and a member of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Travellers are adjusting to inflation and higher travel costs in various ways. A fifth (20%) of respondents reported changing an international trip and replacing it with a less expensive one. More than a quarter (28%) of domestic travellers changed a domestic trip and replaced it with a less expensive one.
Twenty-one percent say they will travel for fewer days, and 19% plan to fly on less expensive tickets. Fifteen percent report staying at less costly lodging, while 12% will eat out less or at less expensive restaurants. Six percent are greatly reducing or not buying souvenirs or gifts during their trip, and 3% will skip buying travel insurance.
Written by: Bill McIntyre
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