RVshare, the peer-to-peer RV rental marketplace, revealed findings from its new Travel Sentiment survey, gauging consumers’ plans and willingness to travel in the lead-up to spring and summer.
According to the new survey, 83 percent of consumers are ready to travel in the coming months. From family reunions and much-needed adventures, vaccinations remain an important factor, with almost half (48 percent) saying it is important for them or their family to be vaccinated before traveling.
“Our business tripled by the end of last summer as people hit the road in record numbers to visit family and friends, take a much-needed vacation to enjoy nature and new destinations, and go mobile, taking advantage of ‘work from anywhere’ policies,” said RVshare CEO Jon Gray. “This year as vaccine distribution increases, even more people are ready to travel and continue to find RVs a comforting option.”
Other trends revealed by the survey:
- People Prefer Road Trips This Season
67 percent of consumers are likely to consider traveling by RV this summer, showing how a reluctance to fly, paired with the ease of travel and social distancing provided by RVs, continues to make RVs an attractive alternative.
Travelers are still weary of hitting the runway, with 54 percent saying they are unlikely to consider flying.
- Cabin Fever is Driving Travel Interest
As the one-year mark of the pandemic approaches and the beginning of remote work and play, close to one-third of consumers (30 percent) say the main reason for wanting to travel is needing a break from home.
18 percent of consumers say their desire to travel is driven by hope that the vaccine will be widely distributed by summer, making it safer to travel.
15 percent of consumers want to travel to see their families.
- National Parks and Outdoor Adventures Top Beach Destinations
Almost half of consumers (45 percent) want to travel somewhere in nature, far outpacing other destinations like beaches (20 percent) or major cities (2 percent).
45 percent of consumers also said they are planning to take a “re-do” vacation this summer, a trip that was planned pre-COVID and was canceled due to the pandemic.
As consumers look to make these travel plans, 31 percent will book at least three months ahead of time, while 29 percent will book just one to two months in advance.
- Seniors are Packing Their Suitcases
Seniors (ages 55 and up) are ready to travel, with 79 percent saying they are likely to roam this summer, including 64 percent who are likely to consider an RV trip this summer.
57 percent said they are unlikely to fly to their destination.
58 percent said they feel it is important to be vaccinated before traveling.