As states in the United States begin to reopen amid the coronavirus outbreak, how do consumers feel about travel starting to resume?
According to SAP-owned experience management software company Qualtrics, which surveyed more than 2,000 people in the U.S., consumers feel largely uncomfortable about returning to business as usual.
Qualtrics’ data finds that 77% of people feel uncomfortable taking public transit right now, while 75% feel uncomfortable flying on an airplane. Of travelers who fly regularly, 20% say they believe they’re unlikely to do so in the foreseeable future.
The survey also finds that people feel more comfortable traveling for business (17%) than for pleasure (just 9%), and 13% would be comfortable staying in a hotel for work versus 9% for pleasure.
Even after a treatment or vaccine for the coronavirus is available, and health officials deem it safe to travel, survey respondents say additional measures are needed to feel comfortable flying or taking public transportation.
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About 40% of people want wearing a mask to be mandatory for every passenger, while 38% want assigned seating with passengers spaced 6 feet apart, 37% want boarding and deplaning to maintain social distancing and 32% want the temperatures of passengers checked before boarding.
For live events, 26% of those who regularly attend concerts and 24% of those who attend sporting events say they are unlikely to return for the foreseeable future.
As for restaurants, 68% say they would feel uncomfortable eating at a restaurant right now, and 16% say they’re unlikely to dine in at all in the foreseeable future.