Singaporeans ‘optimistic' about getting back to travel: report

71% feel “more hopeful” amidst theCOVID-19 vaccine rollout, and potential for air travel bubbles.

Singaporean travellers are finally starting to see light at the end of the tunnel with the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines and other medical breakthroughs, as well as possible air travel bubbles, according to a recent survey by travel company Booking.com.

The research found that around seven in 10 Singaporean travellers (71%) felt “more hopeful” about travelling in 2021 amidst the fast-changing regulatory and medical environment. 70% of the respondents also statde that not being able to travel in 2020 had made them yearn to travel even more this year.

63% of travellers mentioned that they would not travel internationally until they had been vaccinated, but around 52% remained sceptical as to whether a vaccine would actually help make travel safer.

Meanwhile, the respondents also noted that not being able to travel in 2020 had had a significant effect on their well-being, with 52% of Singaporean travellers reporting a negative impact on their mental health. A further 47% noted that they had felt "imprisoned" in their own homes due to travel restrictions last year.

The report also showed that over six in 10 (62%) Singaporean travellers had also used the increased time at home to plan future travel, whilst slightly over half (54%) had banked more vacation days.

“We have grown over the past year navigating the pandemic, as our consumers have too, and we're optimistic that we'll be able to experience the world together again soon as we work together with all those in the travel industry to ensure its recovery,” Booking.com regional director for South Asia, Oceania & Chains Nuno Guerreiro said.