Braze, a comprehensive customer engagement platform, today revealed findings from its newest data report, Ready for Takeoff: 2021 Travel Industry Trends, Insights, and Strategies . The research includes findings from a survey of 9,500 consumers across 13 global markets conducted by Wakefield Research, which explored COVID-19’s impact on consumer behaviour, expectations, and sentiment around travel. In combination with proprietary data from Apptopia, Braze, and Skyscanner, the report provides guidance for how brands can successfully meet the challenges and opportunities that come next.

"With strong signs of a rebound, travel and hospitality brands must prioritize customer engagement in order to connect with new and old customers alike to drive business growth," said Myles Kleeger, President and Chief Customer Officer of Braze. "The report proves that timely, relevant, and personalized cross-channel engagement strategies are more critical than ever for an industry poised for a comeback."

Key findings from the report include:

Cost Continues to Be a Top Factor, but Health and Safety Measures Can Be a Deal Breaker
While the COVID-19 pandemic impacted many normal behaviours for consumers, one thing remains the same—travellers still want a good deal. We see this attitude reflected in how consumers describe themselves: 60% of today’s travellers are “budget-minded,” while only 40% are “luxury-minded.” However, the only factor more important than cost is safety. The survey showed that, when asked to rank the most important factors in choosing a travel company, 31% of consumers put health and safety first, with those putting cost first slightly behind at 29%.

Travel Companies Will Have to Tread Lightly When it Comes to Vaccinations
Vaccinations are set to have a significant impact on the travel and hospitality industry as consumers begin to feel more safe to travel. According to the survey, 42% of global travellers say they expect to carry proof of vaccination as a precaution, while 57% say they are more likely to use a travel company that requires travellers to share their vaccination status. While 81% of global travellers plan to get vaccinated against COVID-19, the response to vaccination requirements is much more nuanced. 21% of consumers state they are unwilling to share their status with a travel company, with U.S. travellers being the most unwilling (28%), followed by EMEA (23%), and APAC (16%).

“It is highly likely that proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test will be required by governments for anyone wanting to travel internationally for some time to come,” said Hugh Aitken, VP of Flights at Skyscanner. “Clear, consistent, and transparent communication about these new types of entry requirements will be essential for travel providers in order to provide a positive end-to-end experience for their customers.”

Top Booked Destinations Vary by Region
While COVID-19 is a global pandemic, its impact on travellers vary greatly by region (and even country) due to local government responses, resources, and culture. This is apparent in Skyscanner data showcasing the top destinations booked by travellers in APAC, EMEA and the United States.

  • APAC: The top booked destinations for APAC travellers are oriented to domestic, in-country travel owing to strict border restrictions for international leisure travel. The top three countries seeing the most domestic travel in APAC are South Korea, Australia, and Japan.*
  • EMEA: Due to restrictions on international travel, travellers are primarily interested in intra-European beach and island destinations. The U.S. features high on the list, most likely due to hopes that borders will open later in the year for leisure travel due to the country’s high vaccination rates. The top three destinations in EMEA include Spain, the U.S., and Turkey.*
  • United States: As the world’s most travel-ready region according to our consumer survey, U.S. consumers were still focused on the following domestic travel and close-by international locations. The top three travel destinations in the U.S. are Las Vegas, Orlando, and Los Angeles.*

To download an embargoed copy of full report, visit: https://www.braze.com/resources/reports-and-guides/ready-for-takeoff

About Apptopia

Apptopia is the leader in real-time competitive intelligence. Brands and financial firms use our platform to generate insights across mobile apps and connected devices. Powered by machine learning technology, we collect and analyze billions of complex data points to surface critical business signals. Leading brands including Visa, Target, and Microsoft rely on Apptopia to better understand consumer behavior and intent across app-based devices to gain a competitive advantage. Financial analysts access our data analytics via the Bloomberg Terminal to generate revenue estimates, monitor consumer engagement across devices, and gain insight into competitive positioning.

About Wakefield Research

Wakefield Research supports the world’s most prominent brands and agencies, including 50 of the Fortune 100, in 90 countries. We provide quantitative, qualitative, and hybrid market research and market intelligence Our work is regularly featured in the media. To learn more, visit: www.wakefieldresearch.com.

About Braze
Braze is a comprehensive customer engagement platform that powers relevant and memorable experiences between consumers and the brands they love. Context underpins every Braze interaction, helping brands foster human connection with consumers through interactive conversations across channels that deliver value quickly and continuously. The company was named a Leader in Forrester’s 2020 Mobile Engagement Automation Wave™ report and was recognized as one of Inc. Magazine’s Best Workplaces two years in a row. Braze is headquartered in New York with offices in Chicago, London, San Francisco, Singapore, and Tokyo. Learn more at braze.com.

About Skyscanner Partners

Skyscanner is a global leader in travel connecting over 100m users in 180 markets and 30+ languages to more than 1200 flight, hotel and car hire partners every month.

Skyscanner's global audience provides unrivalled reach into geographies and deep insight into traveller search and redirect behaviour in almost every market. Skyscanner's app, desktop and mweb metasearch platforms offer next generation, best-in-class brand and performance capabilities to deliver on partners strategic priorities. Skyscanner is using the latest technology to build dynamic distribution and advertising solutions to connect businesses with highly qualified audiences, using real-time, actionable intelligence.

Founded in Edinburgh in 2003, Skyscanner has offices worldwide, in Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America. Skyscanner is committed to helping shape a more responsible future for travel in collaboration with our partners, so that every traveller can explore our world effortlessly for generations come.

For more information visit: https://www.partners.skyscanner.net/.

Skyscanner Limited. Registered in England & Wales (Company No. 04217916). Registered Office: Level 5, Ilona Rose House, Manette Street, London W1D 4AL. Skyscanner Private Limited. Registered in Singapore (Registration No. 201317279D). Registered Office: 30 Raffles Place, #28-02, 30 Raffles Place, Singapore 048622.

Matt Bradford
Senior Communications Manager
+44 785 066 5563
Skyscanner Ltd