Consumers Say They’d Give Up Their Savings, Their Job and Their Sex Life to Travel Again

Rhea-AI Summary

trivago's recent survey shows that 80% of respondents consider the inability to travel the worst part of the pandemic. Conducted from January 3-9, 2021, with over 2,000 participants from the U.S. and U.K., the survey highlights a significant yearning to travel again. Notably, 25% would sacrifice all their savings, and around 40% would give up sex for a year to travel immediately. Over 80% agree that travel is essential for a fulfilling life, with a predicted travel boom post-pandemic as two-thirds plan to travel more than before.

Positive

• 80% of respondents say the inability to travel is a major downside of the pandemic.
• Significant interest in traveling again, with 25% willing to give up savings to travel now.
• Over 80% view travel as essential for a fulfilling life, indicating a potential post-pandemic boom.

Negative

• None.

New Survey By trivago Reveals 80% of Consumers Believe Inability to Travel Is Worst Part of Pandemic

DÜSSELDORF, GERMANY – February 17, 2021 – After a year that changed everything, it’s clear that modern travel has been profoundly altered, perhaps forever. As the vaccine rollout continues and restrictions begin to lift in parts of the globe, eager travelers everywhere wait patiently for the clear signal to be able to getaway and adventure once again. Global accommodations search platform trivago recently conducted a survey to see how consumers are planning, dreaming and considering travel in 2021. 

The consumer omnibus survey, conducted from Jan. 3-9, polled more than 2,000 adults in the U.S. and U.K. The results reveal significant desires to travel, including what consumers would give up, what they’d like to do and where they’d like to go, as well as why they’d like to get back on the road.

We’d Give Up A Lot to Travel Again

Thinking about their first trip after the pandemic, majorities say it makes them feel “excited” (US, 56%; UK, 54%) and/or “happy” (US, 53%; UK, 52%). In fact, we’re so desperate to travel, 25% of both Britons and Americans say they’d give up all their savings to do it now, and around two-fifths (US, 38%; UK, 40%) say they’d give up sex for a year to get on the road right away. One in five said they would give up their partner to travel now, and even more telling, nearly half would give up their job (US, 48%; UK, 41%). It’s clear that travel plays a massive role in our lives and overall happiness.

2020 Made Us Focus on Self-Care, But How Does Travel Fit In?

More than 80% of those surveyed somewhat or strongly agree that travel is a part of a well-rounded life. The concept of travel as a form of selfcare/wellness and to expand one’s perspective is one that continues to grow. In both countries substantial majorities say that being prevented from traveling freely is one of the worst aspects of the pandemic (US, 81%; UK, 82%) and that because of the pandemic this is the most they’ve ever felt like traveling (US, 58%; UK, 61%).

Increasingly, we see emotional wellbeing as another driver for travel and the need to get away. When they do travel, respondents appear likely to incorporate new interests – more than half (US, 57%; UK, 56%) say they’ve picked up a new hobby since the start of the pandemic, with most who’ve done so expressing surprise at their newfound passion. The vast majority of those (US, 68%; UK, 64%) think it’s at least somewhat likely they’ll pick a vacation connected to the new hobby once the pandemic ends.

Given all this, a travel boom post-pandemic appears likely as consumers strive to make up for lost time.

The Definition of a Dream Vacation Has Changed

The typical idea of a big trip or vacation – planned ahead and saved for – is becoming obsolete with travel restrictions and the ability to plan ahead all but impossible. In addition, the isolation and distance of lockdowns has changed the dynamic of dream vacations as we think of them. The #1 choice for Americans and Britons for their “dream vacation” was a chance to spend “time with the family and friends I’ve missed” (US, 26%; UK, 34%), with this particularly high with seniors in each country (US, 35%; UK, 47%).

Overall, traveling again is inevitable. More than 4 in 5 of the respondents (US, 84%; UK, 87%) see travel as fundamental to a good life and two-thirds or more (US, 72%; UK, 66%) say they plan to travel even more than they have in the past once the pandemic ends.

While you’re dreaming of that special trip, you don’t have to stay put. Local getaways, weekend road trips and “staycations” can be enjoyed safely with proper planning and precautions. trivago will soon offer a tool specific to inspiration and booking options for local trips, to get you back on the road nearby.

To learn more, visit trivago.com.

About trivago
trivago is a leading global hotel search platform focused on reshaping the way travelers search for and compare hotels and alternative accommodations. Incorporated in 2005 in Düsseldorf, Germany, the platform allows travelers to make informed decisions by personalizing their hotel search and providing them access to a deep supply of hotel information and prices. trivago enables its advertisers to grow their businesses by providing access to a broad audience of travelers via its websites and apps. As of March 31, 2020, trivago has established 54 localized platforms connected to over 4.5 million hotels and alternative accommodations, in over 190 countries.

Media Contact:
Stephanie Lowenthal
stephanie.lowenthal@trivago.com

Forward looking statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Words, and variations of words such as "believe," "expect," "plan," "continue," "will," "should," and similar expressions are intended to identify our forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, and important factors that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. For additional information factors that could affect our forward-looking statements, see our risk factors, as they may be amended from time to time, set forth in our public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We disclaim and do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement in this press release, except as required by applicable law or regulation.

 

FAQ

What did the trivago survey reveal about consumer travel interests during the pandemic?

The survey indicated that 80% of respondents consider the inability to travel the worst part of the pandemic and that many are eager to travel again.

How many people would give up their savings to travel immediately according to trivago's survey?

According to the survey, 25% of respondents would give up all their savings to travel now.

What percentage of survey respondents see travel as fundamental to a good life?

Over 80% of respondents in the trivago survey believe that travel is fundamental to a good life.

When was the trivago survey conducted?

The trivago survey was conducted from January 3-9, 2021.

What demographic shows a higher interest in family-oriented vacations post-pandemic?

The desire to spend time with family and friends as part of a dream vacation is higher among seniors, with 35% of U.S. seniors and 47% of U.K. seniors expressing this.