New York,
26
January
2021
|
18:00 PM
Europe/Amsterdam

On your marks, get flex...go! Booking.com shares top tips for early 2021 trip planning and savings

Recent research from Booking.com reveals that over a third of US travelers (38%) admitted to scoping out potential travel destinations as often as once a week while travel restrictions were in place. As we're at the start of a new year, rather than wishing away the days until normality resumes, consider putting the time to good use and revive the art of trip planning. Afterall, planning for a trip isn’t just half the fun; it’s also the key to having a great time once the trip actually begins.

On your marks...

We’re at an important juncture right now. Normal life hasn’t returned yet, but there is hope on the horizon.

Booking.com’s Future of Travel research also reveals that the developments of 2020 haven’t put people off traveling. In fact, two thirds of American travelers (65%) were positively excited by the prospect of traveling again. And 46% were determined to travel more in the future, in a conscious effort to make up for time lost in 2020.

Get flex...

During these uncertain times, three-quarters (73%) of US travelers stated that they prefer the peace of mind that comes with booking a refundable accommodation option when booking travel in the future. Booking.com understands the importance of flexibility and having the freedom to update and cancel bookings from anywhere, particularly at times of uncertainty. This is why options for free or flexible cancellation policies at available properties are clearly highlighted - allowing travelers from every corner of the globe to make plans with the reassurance that if things change, they can easily adjust and amend their reservations.

Go!

Booking now for trips in the beginning of 2021 isn’t just about having something to look forward to, it can also be an exercise in getting more bang for your buck. The financial legacy of Coronavirus will inevitably see people demand more value in the future as recent Booking.com research reveals that 62% of American travelers will be more price conscious when it comes to searching and planning a trip in the future and 51% are more likely to hunt down promotions and savings, behaviors that we predict will last years.

With a mission to make it easier for everyone to experience the world, when it’s safe to do so again, Booking.com is sharing travel deals for travelers to use when booking their early 2021 trips. Discounts start at 20 percent[1]  and are valid for stays between 5 January and 31 March 2021.

And not every adventure involves distant shores and new cultures. For those who are eager to explore there are plenty of tempting options close to home which might whet the appetite and inspire travelers to stretch their legs, even if they can’t spread their wings just yet.

94%* American travelers have whiled away some of their lockdown time looking for vacation inspiration, and now might be the time to start turning those ideas into reality. Afterall, getaways in 2021 might just be better than previous years considering all the unused vacation days rolling over into the New Year. More carefully planned, more eagerly awaited and a few days longer as a bonus.

*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 countries and territories were polled (including from 999 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.