Collinson research predicts increase in Asia Pacific travel frequency

INTERNATIONAL.  Travel experience leader Collinson has shared new data and insights into the latest trends and expected travel habits of travellers across Asia Pacific. The research reveals that the easing of travel restrictions across the region has boosted international leisure travel, although demand for corporate travel remains low.

The findings come from a survey of over 5,000 frequent travellers across seven major markets including Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Singapore and South Korea.

Looking at travel for the remainder of 2022, the study suggests a marginal improvement year-on-year in terms of the percentage of travellers undertaking frequent trips.

A region back on the move: The easing of travel restrictions in Asia Pacific is sparking travellers to make more frequent trips than they did in 2021 (Singapore Changi Airport pictured)

The survey shows that travellers who averaged six return trips in pre-pandemic 2019 are beginning to return to the skies, with an average of three self-predicted return trips planned for 2022.

However, with many countries across Asia Pacific allowing easier movement in recent times, the pent-up demand among travellers is likely to result in a further spike in trips this year across the region, Collinson predicted.

Planned trips on the horizon 

With summer in the northern hemisphere ushering in the peak travel season, Collinson said it expects to see a rise in travel around the region as people start planning their vacations. Although the majority of these trips are expected to be domestic leisure trips, 55% of respondents have expressed an interest in travelling outside of their home market for at least one trip.

The number of people who are willing to undertake international travel has grown by nearly +10% since 2021, according to the survey, while domestic leisure travel growth remains steady at +3% for the same period.

The survey suggests that business travel will continue to take much longer than leisure travel to get back towards pre-pandemic levels

Of all the forms of travel, be it leisure, business or a mix of the two, business travel is the one that has been impacted the most, the study found. On one hand, nearly 70% of travellers have booked at least one leisure trip in 2022, but this sits at less than 50% for corporate travel.

Overall, across all forms of travel, the number of return trips is seeing a gradual increase. Whilst this shows positivity, the survey revealed concerns remain around returning to travel, with 61% of the research respondents indicating that the pandemic continues to have a discouraging effect on their air travel.

Travel anxieties continue to linger 

Despite people committing to travel in 2022, the study suggests that a large portion of travel hesitation seems to stem from people’s unwillingness to be inside an airport. Close to half of respondents (42%) indicated having anxiety about picking up infections while at the airport.

The key findings of Collinson Avi Pacific travel survey summarised (click to enlarge)

Many fear that crowds at the airport may lead to another outbreak, while others want to avoid the logistical hassles that come with travelling in the new normal – including mask-wearing, travel restrictions, mandatory quarantines, and more. However, Collinson noted a promising recovery trend from the data, which reveals that a little over 10% of people still feel unsafe about travel.

Airport lounges aiding the journey 

The survey also found that airport lounges are seen as key in curbing travel anxiety – on average, travellers regard lounge access as the number one most desirable travel benefit at the airport. Some 55% of respondents selected that they “feel valued as a customer” as their number one emotion when they have access to a lounge as a reward benefit in markets such as China, Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea.

The survey underlined how much travellers value airport lounge experiences as a means of curbing anxiety over risk of COVID infection

A further 41% also agreed that lounge access makes them feel safer when undertaking air travel. However, these numbers are significantly higher in markets such as China and India, where borders have largely remained closed in 2022. In China, for example, 64% admit that being in a lounge makes them feel safer, whilst slightly less than 70% believe that having access to a lounge makes them feel valued.

Rewards in today’s new era of travel

Collinson also noted that the survey revealed that a focus on improving the entire customer journey in these testing times could yield significant dividends for brands. The company’s President Asia Pacific Todd Handcock said: “After two long years of waiting for the pandemic to recede and borders to open up, people across Asia are eagerly embracing the return of travel.

Todd Handcock called for brands to create better airport customer experiences 

“This is an encouraging trend given that apprehensions around travel safety continue to exist. As countries further relax their travel restrictions and people head out to their dream vacations, brands will have new opportunities to innovate and enhance customer experiences aligned with the return of travel.

“With COVID-19 continuing to result in additional checks and balances at airports, it is inevitable that travellers will demand fresh airport lounge experiences. The increased emphasis on safety and celebration of the return to travel is expected to make travellers attach an increased value to travel-related benefits.

“This calls for brands to identify innovative ways to retain loyalty among current customers, whilst attracting new ones by leveraging lounge access and flight-delay benefits. An example is Collinson’s SmartDelay, which offers lounge services when customers’ flights are delayed or cancelled.”

Note: The Moodie Davitt Report has a regular publication titled Airport Consumer Experience, produced in association with Airport Dimensions, dedicated to airport guest services and experiences.

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