Although it may be a while before travelers experience the world as freely as they did pre-Coronavirus (COVID-19), recent Booking.com research shows that there is still a big appetite for traveling with 79%* of Hong Kong travelers excited about the possibilities that traveling presents once all restrictions are lifted and it is safe to do so, and over half (55%) are anticipating to travel more frequently in the future, to make up for lost time in 2020. Some Hong Kongers are dreaming about an exciting city break (37%) or a beach trip to the coast (15%). Add to this, the fact that 23% of Hong Kongers plan to take a domestic trip within the next six months, staying closer to home is set to become more popular than ever.
With a mission to make it easier for everyone to experience the world, Booking.com is sharing some top tips on how travelers can get the most value out of an upcoming trip, whenever it’s safe to travel again.
- Research your inspiration
Even though the world is filled with countless amazing places to visit, with ever evolving travel restrictions, it can be hard to choose which destination to travel to next. The first important step for planning a trip, especially nowadays, is to do research. Local government websites are a good place to start as they are able to provide the latest information about travel restrictions. Next step is to find your inspiration! According to recent Booking.com research over a half of Hong Kong travelers (59%) use search engines for vacation inspiration. More than a third (33%) find their inspiration talking with friends and family about their travel recommendations, and two-fifths (40%) visit travel accommodation websites to get inspired for an upcoming trip.
- Choose the right trip type
Think about what type of trip to take, whether it’s a city trip or nature trip to discover the natural beauty of your own country. According to recent Booking.com research, a majority of Hong Kong travelers prefer to take a relaxing trip (63%) in the next 12 months and approximately half of global travelers (49%) want to take more short breaks, like weekend trips, than they did in 2019. Also important to think about how you’ll travel to reach your destination. While 56% of Hong Kong travelers are still likely to avoid traveling by plane and 33% are likely to avoid public transit, a great option is to travel by car and take a road trip.
- Travel is always better with your favorite travel buddy
Another important step in planning your trip is to think about who your travel companion(s) will be. According to recent Booking.com research, a majority of Hong Kong travelers (58%) want to focus on traveling with a small group of friends or family and 20% want to travel locally to reconnect with friends or family. For those who either enjoyed their time at home by themself or are yearning for some alone time, traveling is also a great opportunity to enjoy a change of scenery. Booking.com research shows that 25%* of Hong Kong travelers want to focus on themselves by traveling solo once all travel restrictions are lifted.
- Safety first
More than three-quarters (83%) of Hong Kong travelers will take more precautions due to Coronavirus, while 74% say they are are more likely to book a particular accommodation if it’s clear what health and hygiene policies it has in place. Whether your preference is to stay in a hotel or in a vacation home, it’s important to think about your personal needs and how to travel safely with the right hygiene and social distancing measures in place during your stay. With over 14 million listings on Booking.com now having implemented health and safety measures (such as hygiene, sanitisation, physical distancing) that are clearly visible on the property page, as well as new search filters to make finding these properties as well as private, whole home accommodations easy, travelers can rest assured that they will have a safe and healthy stay.
- Timing is key
For travelers looking for a good deal, it’s helpful to keep timing in mind and consider planning a trip with either short notice (seven days or less) or at least a month in advance of the check-in date. To support spontaneous travelers looking to book last-minute as well as those planning further ahead, for something to look forward to Booking.com has introduced last-minute and early booker deals available at thousands of properties worldwide. Travelers simply need to search for their dates (either seven days or less or 30 days or more in advance of check-in) and look for the discounted rates in the search results.
- Get more bang for your buck
To encourage travelers to continue to make their travel dreams a reality as it becomes safe to travel again, Booking.com is offering a free 7-day trial of its Genius loyalty program for all new app customers. Genius is Booking.com’s loyalty program, which provides travel rewards the more you book. Rewards include discounted rates at participating accommodations, as well as free room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, and more!
Last but not least, with a mission to make it easier for everyone to experience the world when it’s safe to travel again, Booking.com is sharing getaway deals for travelers to use towards making their dreams a reality. Whether planning ahead for the summer months or booking last-minute, local breaks, longer trips or anything in between, save a least 15% or more for stays between now and September 30th!
*Research commissioned by Booking.com and conducted among a sample of adults who have traveled for business or leisure in the past 12 months, and must be planning to travel in the next 12 months (if/once travel restrictions are lifted). In total 20,934 respondents across 28 markets were polled (including from 999 from USA, 496 from Canada, 497 from Mexico, 997 from Colombia, 999 from Brazil, 499 from Argentina, 995 from Australia, 499 from New Zealand, 999 from Spain, 996 from Italy, 996 from France, 999 from UK, 996 from Germany, 498 from Netherlands, 499 from Denmark, 499 from Sweden, 498 from Croatia, 1001 from Russia, 498 from Israel, 997 from India, 994 from China, 499 from Hong Kong, 497 from Thailand, 496 from Singapore, 499 from Taiwan, 997 from South Korea, 500 from Vietnam and 995 from Japan). Respondents completed an online survey in July 2020.
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