Lounging on the beach may have been the No.1 destination in the past, but after a year of much sitting around, it is set to play second fiddle for more active adventures.
A survey of 2,000 adults revealed 67 percent have spent too much of the past 12 months laying around doing nothing—as a result, if they’re given the chance to get away, more than a third want to avoid sunbathing and do something more adventurous instead.
Almost one third (32 percent) would like to see the Northern Lights, but the most popular holiday activity longed-for this year is exploring the countryside on a walking adventure.
More than half (56 percent) want to go somewhere on holiday where they can take photographs of stunning scenery, or would like to visit a new country. 29 percent of respondents have already drawn up a list of locations to visit while in lockdown, dreaming of the future.
The poll, by Icelandair, found that 37 percent of those surveyed have booked a trip already.
Most people, though, are still worried about booking airline tickets in case they need to cancel—something just 27 percent were ever worried about prior to Covid.
The ability to postpone a holiday without charge is now more important than the hotel, food, drink or attractions at the destination.
Being able to get a refund is as important as the weather, while being able to postpone without charge is now four times more important than it was before the pandemic.
Almost three quarters (72 percent) also said they will not book a holiday this year if there is a possibility that they can’t cancel it or postpone it without being charged.
“If you need to change your booking, we’re flexible,” said Bogi Nils, CEO of Icelandair. “You can switch the date of your travel without any additional change fees on top of fare differences, or you can cancel and receive a voucher valid for three years.
Most major US airlines have policies in place that will waive change fees for any new travel booked by March 30-31, 2021, including American, Delta, Frontier, Jet Blue, and United—and through April if you book with Air Canada or WestJet.
Overall, six in 10 of those polled by OnePoll admitted they didn’t fully appreciate how important it was to get away until the Covid outbreak curtailed freedoms last year.
And more than two-thirds (69 percent) say the last twelve months have made them want to experience more in life.
THE TOP THINGS PEOPLE WANT TO DO ON A HOLIDAY POST-COVID
1. Walking in the countryside
2. Visit castles and other historic buildings
3. Beach lounging
4. See the Northern Lights
5. Swimming pool lounging
6. Boat trip
7. Visit museums
8. Whale watching
9. Visit a rainforest
10. Visit a theme park
11. Safari /exotic animal spotting
12. See a volcano
13. Climb a mountain
14. Watch a geyser erupt
15. Cycling
16. Zip wire
17. Rafting / Kayaking
18. Visit a desert
19. Cave exploration
20. Off-road driving
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