According to the latest monthly Traveler Confidence Index developed by Travel Again, leisure traveler confidence hit its highest level during the pandemic this month, reinforcing the prediction leisure travel will lead travel recovery. Thirty percent of leisure travelers have made future reservations compared to 11 percent of business travelers, and six in 10 travelers, about 62 percent, look to travel domestically in the next six months.

While both business (2.62 to 2.94) and leisure (2.73 to 3.08) confidence ticked up, overall traveler confidence remains low with continued uncertainty about the future of travel. The survey also found 45 percent of business travelers and 39 percent of leisure travelers said The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention determination that COVID testing will not be required on domestic flights decreased their confidence.

Among other key findings, 19 percent of business and 15 percent of leisure travelers are fully “ready to travel,” and more than 80 percent of all travelers will take a COVID-19 vaccine when available to them. Travelers still rank mandatory masks and frequent cleaning as the most important confidence building elements, even above vaccine usage.

“The decrease in traveler confidence following the CDC announcement demonstrates the power of communicating about policies in a manner that travelers understand,” said Mike McCormick, co-founder, Travel Again. “Without a domestic testing infrastructure in place to support implementing such a policy, it was the right move, but without nuanced communication many travelers may have interpreted the guidance to mean that the industry is not safe — or is not willing to protect the safety of travelers. New guidance for vaccinated individuals does not include any revised guidance for travelers adding further confusion to an already unclear environment for vaccinated and unvaccinated potential travelers alike.”

Travel Again united the global travel industry to restore consumer and corporate confidence in travel and to encourage responsible government policy.

Where do you fall on the confidence scale as a business traveler? Where do you fall on the confidence scale as a leisure traveler? Do you plan to travel in the next six months? Are you in favor of or against requiring COVID-19 testing for domestic travel? Tell us about it. Email us at letters@globaltravelerusa.com. Please include your full name and location.