New AAA Travel Survey shows 35% of Iowans lock in plans before November
Iowans have begun making their travel plans for the holiday season. According to a new AAA Travel survey, one third (35%) of residents book their holiday trips by the end of October.
Click here to view the full survey
“Time is of the essence for people who plan to take a flight this holiday season,” said Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “As we get closer to the holidays, airfares often rise as availability shrinks. We recommend you book by Halloween, for the best chance of finding the flight you want at a favorable rate.”
AAA will release its full Thanksgiving Travel Forecast November 9th.
“We’ve recently seen numerous flight delays and cancellations, and even more are possible during the holidays,” Haas continued. “So if you’re planning a flight, you may want to consider travel insurance. If your flight is cancelled, there are various policies that would help offset unexpected expenses like a hotel, transportation and food. You may also receive compensation for lost luggage, or if your flight is delayed for as little as 3 hours.”
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
While 34% of Iowans plan to head to a major city or metro, almost half will be vacationing somewhere with easy access to the great outdoors. Beach destinations (22%), National/state parks (13%), and resort vacations (13%) top the list, followed by land tours at 10%.
VACCINE PROVIDING CONFIDENCE FOR HOLIDAY TRAVELERS
Less than a third (29%) of Iowans plan to take a vacation of 3 days or more during the 2021 holiday season. Meanwhile, fifteen percent have not yet decided. That said, over a quarter (27%) of Iowans without holiday travel plans site fear of contracting or spreading COVID-19 as their reason for not traveling this Holiday season.
Compared to last year, when a vaccine wasn’t available, 26% of Iowans are more comfortable traveling this holiday season. Meanwhile, over half (56%) feel the same as last year.
Of the 74% of Iowans who are fully or partially vaccinated:
- 67% are confident the vaccine will protect them from contracting COVID-19 while traveling
- 60% are confident in the long-term effectiveness of the vaccine
QUARTERLY TRAVEL CONFIDENCE
|
Do you feel comfortable traveling? |
|||
|
Q1 |
Q2 |
Q3 |
Q4 |
|
43% |
53% |
77% |
66% |
Traveler confidence took a step back this quarter, following a resurgence in COVID-19 cases, brought on by the Delta variant. This year, the percentage of Iowans who are comfortable traveling rebounded from 53% in Q2 to 77% in Q3, yet slipped back to 66% in our Q4 survey – fielded in September.
QUARTERLY TRAVELER CONFIDENCE BY TRIP TYPE
|
Do you feel comfortable doing the following? |
|
|||
|
|
Q1 |
Q2 |
Q3 |
Q4 |
|
Using own vehicle for road trip |
87% |
92% |
93% |
93% |
|
Staying in a hotel |
49% |
59% |
75% |
69% |
|
Going to theme parks |
NA |
37% |
54% |
44% |
|
Taking a commercial flight |
32% |
43% |
60% |
47% |
|
Taking an ocean or river cruise |
NA |
NA |
42% |
33% |
Although traveler confidence hit a snag, enthusiasm could rebound through the end of the year. COVID-19 cases in the U.S. are trending lower again, which is what 42% of Iowans said would need to happen in order to feel more comfortable traveling.
TRAVELERS INCREASINGLY TURNING TO TRAVEL ADVISORS AND INSURANCE
“Whether you’re taking a flight, cruise or tour; travel insurance can provide the peace of mind in knowing that your trip is protected during the pandemic,” Haas said. “There are various policies that provide coverage if you contract COVID either before or during your trip. If you talk with a travel agent, they can help ensure you have the policy that is the best fit for your trip.”
Travel Advisors
Travel advisors are vital during the pandemic. Fifteen percent of Iowans value travel agents more now than before the pandemic began. Since restrictions and requirements can vary by destination, travel advisors help travelers navigate the various complexities, so they can make informed decisions and travel with confidence.
About the AAA Consumer Pulse™ Survey
The AAA Consumer Pulse™ Survey was conducted online among residents living in Iowa from September 15-22, 2021. A total of 400 residents completed the survey. Survey results asked of all respondents have a maximum margin of error of ± 4.9% points. Responses are weighted by age and gender to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the adult population (18+) in Iowa.