Travel search volumes globally continue its growth momentum, fuelled by vaccine rollouts and easing of international travel restrictions, according to Expedia Group Media Solutions’ 2Q2021 Travel Recovery Trend Report.
The quarterly report combines Expedia Group first-party data and custom research with actionable insights to help travel marketers on their road to recovery.
New data by Expedia finds searches globally are growing, with international searches showing signs of a rebound
“Throughout Q2, we continued to see strong global search growth, rising international searches and lengthening search windows, among other key milestones,” said Wendy Olson Killion, senior vice president, media solutions. “Our optimism for the near-term travel rebound remains strong, and the latest Travel Recovery Trend Report will provide travel brands with insight into shifting traveller behaviours and attitudes around the world, while also highlighting industry accomplishments and progress to-date.”
Among key findings from the report are that travel searches globally are growing. Building on the momentum seen in Q1, monthly global search volumes continued to grow in Q2, increasing more than 70 per cent quarter-over-quarter. The ongoing rollout of Covid-19 vaccines and changes to travel restrictions around the world further drove searches, contributing to steady week-on-week volume.
In Q2, positive global search volume was seen during 11 of the 13 weeks in the quarter – a sharp contrast to the fluctuations seen throughout Q1 and 2020.
The sustained quarter-over-quarter global search volumes also align with a more optimistic consumer attitude for post-pandemic travel. According to Expedia Group’s Traveler Value Index Research, which surveyed respondents in eight countries around the world, 72 per cent of consumers are planning on travelling over the next 12 months.
As travellers continued to opt for trips closer to home in Q2, half of global searches again fell within the 0 to 21 days search window. However, the global search window is lengthening, indicating that traveller confidence is rising, and they are taking advantage of summer travel and starting to plan trips further out. Global searches 22 to 90 days out accounted for more than 35 per cent of searches in Q2, up nearly 25 per cent quarter-over-quarter.
Fifty-five percent of global domestic searches fell within the 0 to 21 days search window, while searches 22 to 90 days out increased by nearly 20 per cent quarter-over-quarter. Global international searches for the 31 to 90 days out search window increased 30 per cent from Q1. In Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), searches 22 to 90 days out represented more than 40 per cent of international searches in Q2, up from 15 per cent in Q1.
Although travel shoppers continue to show preference for domestic travel, global international searches in Q2 show signs of a rebound. During multiple weeks in Q2, global international search growth outpaced domestic, likely in part due to broadening global vaccine distribution, growing green lists and easing international travel restrictions in parts of the world.
The positive impact of vaccination progress is visible in Q2 international search data. When compared to search volumes during 2Q2020, EMEA, Asia-Pacific (APAC) and Latin America (LATAM) all saw increased search volumes from America in 2Q2021, showing that travel to destinations within these regions represent an attractive opportunity for vaccinated Americans.
During Q2, beach and city destinations made up the top 10 booked destinations around the world, though more cities are entering the top 10 or moving up in ranking in each region, including Chicago and Atlanta; Seoul and Jeju City; Copenhagen and Paris; and Houston and Mexico City. New York made the list of top 10 booked destinations globally, and within all regions, except APAC.
Regionally, the top 10 booked destinations were primarily for destinations within the same region, following Q1 trends. However, LATAM travellers booked more international trips in Q2 compared to the predominately regional bookings seen in Q1. New York, Miami, Las Vegas and Orlando appeared on the LATAM top 10 list in Q2, while Houston and San Antonio again made the list.
The growing popularity of city destinations dovetailed with rising hotel demand during Q2. Global hotel demand increased more than 10 per cent quarter-over-quarter, while global hotel length-of-stay remained consistent with the average trip duration seen in Q1.
Travellers are also increasingly interested in sustainable travel practices, whether that’s reducing their carbon footprint or easing the burden of overtourism in a travel hotspot. Recent research from Expedia Group and Wakefield shows that nearly three in five travellers are willing to pay additional fees so their trip can be more sustainable, indicating that they consider environmental and social consciousness to be worthwhile.
Travel search volumes globally continue its growth momentum, fuelled by vaccine rollouts and easing of international travel restrictions, according to Expedia Group Media Solutions’ 2Q2021 Travel Recovery Trend Report.
The quarterly report combines Expedia Group first-party data and custom research with actionable insights to help travel marketers on their road to recovery.
“Throughout Q2, we continued to see strong global search growth, rising international searches and lengthening search windows, among other key milestones,” said Wendy Olson Killion, senior vice president, media solutions. “Our optimism for the near-term travel rebound remains strong, and the latest Travel Recovery Trend Report will provide travel brands with insight into shifting traveller behaviours and attitudes around the world, while also highlighting industry accomplishments and progress to-date.”
Among key findings from the report are that travel searches globally are growing. Building on the momentum seen in Q1, monthly global search volumes continued to grow in Q2, increasing more than 70 per cent quarter-over-quarter. The ongoing rollout of Covid-19 vaccines and changes to travel restrictions around the world further drove searches, contributing to steady week-on-week volume.
In Q2, positive global search volume was seen during 11 of the 13 weeks in the quarter – a sharp contrast to the fluctuations seen throughout Q1 and 2020.
The sustained quarter-over-quarter global search volumes also align with a more optimistic consumer attitude for post-pandemic travel. According to Expedia Group’s Traveler Value Index Research, which surveyed respondents in eight countries around the world, 72 per cent of consumers are planning on travelling over the next 12 months.
As travellers continued to opt for trips closer to home in Q2, half of global searches again fell within the 0 to 21 days search window. However, the global search window is lengthening, indicating that traveller confidence is rising, and they are taking advantage of summer travel and starting to plan trips further out. Global searches 22 to 90 days out accounted for more than 35 per cent of searches in Q2, up nearly 25 per cent quarter-over-quarter.
Fifty-five percent of global domestic searches fell within the 0 to 21 days search window, while searches 22 to 90 days out increased by nearly 20 per cent quarter-over-quarter. Global international searches for the 31 to 90 days out search window increased 30 per cent from Q1. In Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), searches 22 to 90 days out represented more than 40 per cent of international searches in Q2, up from 15 per cent in Q1.
Although travel shoppers continue to show preference for domestic travel, global international searches in Q2 show signs of a rebound. During multiple weeks in Q2, global international search growth outpaced domestic, likely in part due to broadening global vaccine distribution, growing green lists and easing international travel restrictions in parts of the world.
The positive impact of vaccination progress is visible in Q2 international search data. When compared to search volumes during 2Q2020, EMEA, Asia-Pacific (APAC) and Latin America (LATAM) all saw increased search volumes from America in 2Q2021, showing that travel to destinations within these regions represent an attractive opportunity for vaccinated Americans.
During Q2, beach and city destinations made up the top 10 booked destinations around the world, though more cities are entering the top 10 or moving up in ranking in each region, including Chicago and Atlanta; Seoul and Jeju City; Copenhagen and Paris; and Houston and Mexico City. New York made the list of top 10 booked destinations globally, and within all regions, except APAC.
Regionally, the top 10 booked destinations were primarily for destinations within the same region, following Q1 trends. However, LATAM travellers booked more international trips in Q2 compared to the predominately regional bookings seen in Q1. New York, Miami, Las Vegas and Orlando appeared on the LATAM top 10 list in Q2, while Houston and San Antonio again made the list.
The growing popularity of city destinations dovetailed with rising hotel demand during Q2. Global hotel demand increased more than 10 per cent quarter-over-quarter, while global hotel length-of-stay remained consistent with the average trip duration seen in Q1.
Travellers are also increasingly interested in sustainable travel practices, whether that’s reducing their carbon footprint or easing the burden of overtourism in a travel hotspot. Recent research from Expedia Group and Wakefield shows that nearly three in five travellers are willing to pay additional fees so their trip can be more sustainable, indicating that they consider environmental and social consciousness to be worthwhile.