by Alyssa Jaffer

Travel as we know it has changed, all thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequential restrictions on international movement. From testing and mandatory quarantine to vaccination passports, booking a holiday is more complicated than ever before. But according to new research, there’s a rise in optimism from European travellers planning to escape another Christmas stuck at home.

According to the European Travel Commission (ETC), nearly 70% of Europeans surveyed plan to travel by January 2022. In its latest publication, Monitoring Sentiment for Domestic and Intra-European Travel, co-funded by the European Union, the ETC found that despite the rising cases of COVID-19 and the fast-spreading Delta variant, travel sentiment has remained high amongst Europeans heading into winter.

The widespread vaccine rollout across the continent is an important factor in traveller confidence. According to the report: “Half of Europeans plan to book a trip once vaccinated and 54% confirm that the vaccine made them more optimistic and confident regarding travel.”

One in two Europeans surveyed plan to book a trip as soon as they are vaccinated and 57% expect the EU Digital COVID Certificate to help in planning their next trip.

Notably, the survey found that amongst European travellers, travel abroad confidence is at the highest level since September 2020, with 53% planning to travel in the next six months to another country. Italy, Spain, France, Greece and Croatia topped the list of destinations for holidaymakers, and 37% of those individuals intend to take an autumn or winter trip.

Andreina Rejón, a marketing manager in London, has travelled abroad several times during the pandemic: “It was quite stressful at the beginning, not knowing how the virus works, but I had to travel for personal reasons.”

Armed with a mask, negative test results and full vaccination, Andreina has plans to spend the winter with her family in Spain. “I think we have to get used to living with the virus, taking proper measures but ensuring we can support the hospitality and service industries that have been hit so hard with the measures. With proper care, we can enjoy travelling again,” she said.

The future of European travel is looking promising. However, concerns such as quarantine, rising cases and changes to travel restrictions, are still plaguing travellers with short-term travel plans. Air travel is a key cause of apprehension for personal safety, with a strong interest in domestic travel reported.

Dave Myers, a creative designer in Hertfordshire, UK has not travelled abroad since the pandemic began, preferring domestic travel with his partner: “We have avoided it because of the hassle with taking tests and the uncertainty if you have to be detained in a hotel in a foreign country. Instead, we made a list of places to visit in the UK and began ticking those off. There really are a lot of things to do here.”

This winter, Dave plans to travel to Austria, Poland or Spain. “It’s been nearly two years since we last went abroad and we would travel perhaps 10 times a year to different countries. It’s quite a lifestyle change that makes us feel that our lives are on pause,” he said.

“I want that freedom of just picking any place on a map and then visiting. I’m not worried about the virus. At some point, we have to realise that we aren’t going to wait this out, it is with us forever now.”

'Tis the season to travel