A new Honeywell survey conducted by YouGov finds travellers are placing an increased focus on cleanliness and hygiene when selecting which airlines to fly and which hotels to book. 

 

Although cost also remains a top motivator in travel decisions, the Covid-19 pandemic has shifted travellers’ focus toward safety as they make travel decisions. The Honeywell survey, which was conducted online among adults in the US and UK, sought to better understand these shifting motivations.

 

Enhanced cleanliness and safety boosts traveller confidence

 

When US survey participants were asked about their criteria for selecting a travel brand or company, cleanliness/hygiene was the top factor (57 per cent) in determining their choice — outranking cost and every other factor.

 

Providing an experience focused on cleanliness and safety has the potential to increase travellers’ confidence. Among all survey participants who have travelled since March, roughly six in 10 of those who travelled by plane gave positive ratings to the cleanliness and safety procedures at the airport (61 per cent) and in flight (58 per cent), and a majority of survey participants who travelled by any means indicated a positive cleanliness and safety experience with lodging (68 per cent).

 

“Travel and hospitality companies that lead the way on safety and cleanliness protocols during the pandemic are likely to be better positioned when global travel rebounds,” said Bill Kircos, vice president, Global Marketing, Honeywell Aerospace. “It’s evident that airlines, airports and lodging providers must address safety and cleanliness as part of their core brand offering now and in the future. Honeywell worked quickly to create new solutions and accelerate efforts that help increase passenger and guest safety while also improving cleanliness at the airport, in flight and at hotels.”

 

The Covid-19 pandemic has undoubtedly changed many perceptions, concerns and motivators around travel, impacting airports, airplanes and hotels. The Honeywell survey uncovered insights into the changing perceptions of all three.

 

Ninety-two percent of those surveyed who have travelled by air since March had either a positive (61 per cent) or neutral (31 per cent) experience at the airport regarding health and safety. Their airport experiences are making 40 per cent of recent air travellers more likely to travel again before June 2021, as opposed to 15 per cent saying their experience would make them less likely to travel.

 

When compared with other parts of the travel journey, lodging posed the least concern for travellers surveyed with only 9 per cent highlighting it as the leg of the journey that most concerns them.

 

For those surveyed who have stayed in a hotel since March, 93 per cent reported a positive experience regarding safety and cleanliness.

 

More than half (52 per cent) of those surveyed with upcoming air travel plans plan to stay in hotels versus less than a quarter (22 per cent) planning to use vacation rentals.

 

Forty-eight percent of adults surveyed said enhanced cleanliness or health and safety procedures would most motivate them to stay in a hotel.

 

“Although lodging is not currently the top concern for many when it comes to their travel journey, consumers are giving additional thought to where they stay,” Kircos said. “And although vacation rentals have gained in popularity in recent years, we’re seeing consumers put their trust in hotels because they feel more confident in their cleanliness and hygiene standards.”

 

US versus UK travellers’ preferences

 

The survey considered insights garnered collectively from respondents in the US and UK, and although responses from each country mirrored each other in many ways, there were country distinctions in terms of motivators, barriers and attitudes toward travel.

 

Among those who haven’t flown since March, a Covid-19 vaccine was the top motivator to return to air travel (48 per cent). However, more UK respondents (52 per cent) were motivated by a vaccine than US respondents (42 per cent).

 

UK respondents with air travel plans in the next eight months are most likely to be planning on staying in hotels (57 per cent, versus 43 per cent of Americans) while those in the US are more likely to say they’ll be staying at a relative’s or friend’s home (50 per cent, versus 31 per cent of Britons).

 

Technology plays key role in increased safety protocols

 

With solutions like the Honeywell UV Treatment System, passenger and crew personal protective equipment, on-site thermal screening technology, and comprehensive building management solutions, Honeywell can help airlines, airports and lodging providers increase overall cleanliness and safety, giving passengers, crews and guests greater peace of mind in their travel journeys.

 

Honeywell’s Healthy Buildings solutions help building owners improve the health of building environments, operate more cleanly and safely, comply with social distancing policies, and help reassure occupants that a space is safer. By integrating air quality, safety and security technologies along with advanced analytics, Honeywell’s Healthy Buildings solutions are designed to help reduce potential risks of contamination and improve business continuity by monitoring both the building environment and building occupants’ behaviours and include specific solutions for the airport and hospitality sectors. - TradeArabia News Service