As the restrictions on travel and national and international mobility decrease, more and more Italians resume traveling, attributing great importance to sustainability, intended as reducing the environmental impact. Data comes from the latest edition of the EY Future Travel Behavior observatory of EY Italy, one of the associated companies of Ernst & Young Global Limited. The survey revealed, on a sample of over a thousand subjects, the trends related to travel for holidays and for work in the national and international market, identifying how behaviors, preferences, and attitudes have changed, and analyzing the impact of the pandemic on the propensity of Italians to travel.
The results of the Observatory reveal profound changes in the motivations behind travel choices. Based on the data collected, EY Italy has identified 8 representative profiles of travelers. Also in this edition, the cluster of Potential Frequent Travelers, which intends to increase their travels both for holidays and for work, is confirmed as the most numerous (20% of the sample). The number of Reluctant Travelers (+3%), who will continue to limit travel, and Health & Environmental Concerned Travelers (+1%) who, on the other hand, do not intend to increase the number of trips, is growing. The clusters of Potential Leisure Travelers who are inclined to travel for holidays but not for work, and of Hypertravelers, who travel more frequently than average, are decreasing. These variations could find an explanation in the protraction of the pandemic situation, even in the last year.
Vacation trips resume
From the data of the EY Future Travel Behaviors observatory it emerges that in 2021 over 80% of Italians returned to travel for holidays, an improvement compared to 2020 (70%), although still lower than the pre-pandemic levels. The declared intentions for 2022 confirm this trend: over 60 percent will resume their pre-pandemic habits, and in some cases (1 in 4) will make more trips.
Most of the sample (2 out of 3) will move mainly to Italy, to relax and rest (65%), discover new places and make new cultural and gastronomic experiences (61%) and be together with family and friends (46%). The “workation” trend is consolidating, with 6 percent planning to work remotely in a holiday resort.
Compared to 2020, the use of trains and airplanes compared to personal means increases, but with even lower levels than in 2019. There are some differences by age group, which reveal a consistent increase in air flights for the under 40s (42% against 30% of the total sample).
Sustainability is a priority
Convenience and price are the main factors that influence the choice of the means to move, while safety is still important but assumes less importance in the priorities of travelers. On the other hand, the consideration towards sustainability is increasing, as attested by 74% of interviewees, who say they are worried about the consequences of their actions on the planet.
The survey shows a high degree of attention to initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of air travel, with over half of travelers considering those relating to the use of green fuels to be relevant. There is also a willingness on the part of two thirds of the interviewees to pay a surcharge to ensure the offsetting of the CO2 emissions of their short and long-haul trips.
Favorite destinations for vacation and work
In 2022, Italy is the favorite holiday destination for most people (67%). However, in line with the relaxation of restrictions and the improvement of the health situation, 33 percent of the sample also wishes to spend their holidays abroad (13% only abroad and 20% both).
As for business trips, most people expect to travel only in Italy in 2022 (89%), while 11 percent imagine having to spend a period abroad for work reasons (7% only abroad and 4% both).
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