Skip to content

Search

Latest Stories

Survey: 80 percent of travelers less concerned about new COVID variant

Also, the CDC recently relaxed COVID-19 recommendations, ending quarantine recommendations

Survey: 80 percent of travelers less concerned about new COVID variant

NEARLY 80 PERCENT of travelers said that the latest COVID-19 variant, BA5, is unlikely to make them cancel or postpone international travel this year, according to a survey from travel risk assessment firm Global Rescue. At the same time, Global Rescue said relaxed COVID-19 recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention could encourage travelers’ confidence.

The floodgates are opening


The Summer 2022 Global Rescue Traveler Safety and Sentiment Survey found that 68 percent of respondents have already traveled internationally since the pandemic. Another 16 percent expects to travel abroad by the end of the year and 9 percent plan to do so in the first quarter of 2023.

“Whether it’s revenge travel or responsible travel following vaccination, or a combination of both, 7-out-of-10 travelers are much less concerned about travel compared to the beginning of the pandemic,” 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. “They feel safe enough to plan trips and vacations because they’re vaccinated, borders are open, and they have confidence they’ll be able to get home if the worst happens.”

The U.S. ending its requirement for a negative COVID test to enter the country in June also went far in increasing confidence and encouraging visits from international travelers, Richards said. Nearly half of travelers, 49 percent, said that they are more likely to travel internationally in the next 12 months as COVID related restrictions are relaxed.

According to the survey, the biggest international travel fear among trip-takers is testing positive for COVID and being stranded away from home, 33 percent, a 37 percent decrease from early 2022. The other major concerns are, having an accident, 24 percent, trip cancellation, 21 percent, and civil unrest/terrorism, 8 percent. Being robbed, war, natural disasters, and difficulty finding a COVID-19 testing facility each accounted for less than 2 percent of responses.

Relaxed guidelines signal shift in pandemic response

This week, the CDC relaxed COVID-19 recommendations saying there is significantly less risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death compared to earlier in the pandemic.

The updated guidelines from CDC include ending quarantine recommendations after exposure to COVID-19 and replacing it with a recommendation to mask for 10 days and get tested on the fifth day. It also reduced the isolation period for people who test positive for COVID-19 but are asymptomatic or have quickly improved symptoms.

Richards said the changes will mean more confidence among travelers.

“The CDC announcement is a much-needed improvement and will contribute further to travelers’ peace of mind when planning trips and vacations.  Traveler confidence has been increasing markedly since the beginning of the year and this will help the trend to continue,” he said.

A survey last month revealed that over half of large company CEOs believe that reducing business travel may give short-term savings but will impact revenue in the long-term

More for you

Extended Stay America survey 2025

Study: Extended-stay hotels feel more like home

What makes extended-stay hotels better than vacation rentals?

EXTENDED-STAY HOTELS OUTPERFORM vacation rentals and apartments in comfort, value and sense of home, according to a survey by Extended Stay America. About 79 percent of respondents said extended-stay hotels are like a home away from home, while 82 percent said they offer a stronger sense of home than vacation rentals or apartments.

In the national survey by ESA and Wakefield Research, respondents preferred extended-stay hotels over other options, citing amenities at 34 percent, comfort and familiarity at 33 percent and personalization at 30 percent.

Keep ReadingShow less
Zack Gharib Red Roof

Red Roof bets on people, tech for growth

Red Roof’s 2025 Vision: Innovation, Inclusion & Growth

RED ROOF IS focusing on strategic investments in people and technology to advance the brand amid evolving challenges, said Zack Gharib, Red Roof’s president. Gharib also spoke about the company’s new prototype, the power of the extended stay segment and human trafficking.

Regarding its diversity and inclusion efforts, the company focuses on its long-standing initiatives including SHE, inspired by Red Roof and Road to Inclusion, Diversity and Equality. SHE and RIDE recently helped Red Roof prioritize women and underrepresented communities with more than 30 new projects.

Keep ReadingShow less
Analyze competitive set data to boost revenue in the USA hospitality market

HotStats: Updated comp sets boost revenue

Why U.S. Hotels Must Regularly Update Their Competitive Sets

HOTELS SHOULD USE an updated competitive set to maximize revenue, control costs and maintain market position, according to HotStats. Those that fine-tune their comp sets consistently outperform others by using real-time insights to guide pricing, labor and revenue strategies.

The comp set should be reviewed at least once a year, HotStats wrote in a recent blog post.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ameyalli Park City by Appellation resort

Appellation, Chopra launch Utah retreat

Introducing Ameyalli Park City by Appellation

APPELLATION HOTEL BRAND co-founders Charlie Palmer and Christopher Hunsberger are working with wellness expert Deepak Chopra to launch a new branded hospitality concept, “Ameyalli Park City by Appellation”, near Park City, Utah. The 78-acre retreat, set to open in 2026 in Midway, will include an 80-key hotel, a wellbeing center and multiple dining venues.

The resort will feature the Ameyalli Center of Excellence, offering health and longevity programming based on Chopra’s seven pillars of wellbeing: emotional regulation, sleep, mindfulness, movement, relationships, nutrition and laughter. Appellation will operate the property.

Keep ReadingShow less
Hyatt CEO Mark Hoplamazian receives Cornell Icon Award and renews RiseHY youth hiring initiative in the hospitality sector

Hyatt’s Hoplamazian is Cornell Hospitality Icon

Who is the CEO of Hyatt and why was he honored?

Mark Hoplamazian, president and CEO of Hyatt Hotels Corp., received the Cornell Hospitality Icon of the Industry Award on June 3 in New York, recognizing his 18 years of leadership. The company also renewed its RiseHY commitment to hire 5,000 additional opportunity youth across the company and its hotels by the end of 2028.

The program provides employment access for individuals disconnected from the economy and supports their workforce participation through ongoing investment, Hyatt said in a statement.

Keep ReadingShow less