Consumer interest in booking travel remains low, and most of the reservations travel advisors have made since the global Covid-19 shutdown are rebookings of trips that were canceled, according to the latest survey by Travel Weekly, an online poll of 776 readers that was conducted May 21 to 27.
Photo Credit: Travel Weekly reader poll, May 2020
For 2020, travelers appear to be most interested in cruises, the Caribbean, Mexico and all-inclusive resorts.
The survey also highlighted the dire financial outlook for many agencies, with less than 30% estimating they can survive for more than a year if current business conditions continue.
Many advisors who added comments said they see no hope of a real recovery until a vaccine is developed.
Still, despite the shutdown and its impact on the travel industry, comments from poll respondents show optimism remains for a recovery.
"It was overwhelming and just plain sad in March," said Elise Porcelli of World Wide Travel in Atlanta. "The confusion and cancellations and hold times made me want to just give up. But people love to travel, it is a huge part of their lives, and if/when they can do it, they absolutely will. That gives us hope, even as we struggle and file for unemployment, we believe it will be a small portion in the history of our agency."