As travel resumes, consumers are showing an increased interest in the use of digital solutions such as travel apps to boost their confidence when taking a vacation.
A new report from Amadeus, the “Rebuild Travel Survey,” indicates that travellers are increasingly more willing to use apps to alleviate their anxiety over last-minute cancellations and refunds, as well as to store and share personal health data.
Between 02-14SEP 2021, the survey gathered responses from 9,000 travellers in nine markets; France, Germany, India, Russia, Singapore, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States, who have travelled at least once in the past 18 months. Canadians were not among those surveyed, but the results may hold similar insights for the Canadian market.
Digital Solutions
97 per cent of respondents say that the use of digital tools will increase their confidence in travel, up from 92 per cent in a similar survey from FEB 2021, and up from 84 per cent in SEP 2020, reports PhocusWire.
- According to the survey, the top five technologies that would increase confidence to travel within the next 12 months are:
- Mobile applications that provide on-trip notifications and alerts (44 per cent)
- Self-service check-in (41 per cent)
- Contactless mobile payments, such as Apple or Google Pay (41 per cent)
- Automated and flexible cancellation policies (40 per cent)
- Mobile boarding (40 per cent)
More than one-third (35 per cent) said guidelines about where and how to travel are “confusing” and make them less likely to book either business or leisure travel.
Health Data
The Rebuild Travel Survey also indicated that travellers are increasingly willing to provide personal health data in order to travel.
7 in 10 respondents said they were willing to provide health data for international travel using tools such as digital health passports or certificates.
“The travel industry still faces many challenges in light of COVID-19, but we are seeing positive steps taken as restrictions lift and developments in digital health certificates continue around the world,” says Decius Valmorbida, president of travel at Amadeus.
OpenJaw recently reported that Public Safety Minister Bill Blair updated the timing for Canada’s upcoming vaccine passport, as more news should come “by the end of OCT.”
