AUGUSTA, Ga. (April 27, 2021) – Aggressor Adventures® announces today the positive results of its latest Consumer Travel Index, which tracks consumer travel sentiments on a bi-monthly basis.
Vacation Deprivation Leads to Longer Trips
The survey asked respondents to share their travel plans for 2021. Results show nearly 40 percent of travelers are planning longer trips this year, with more than 55 percent of consumers having booked or planned a future trip during the past three months. According to Expedia’s 2021 Vacation Deprivation study, 64 percent of Americans defined themselves as “vacation deprived.”
“At Aggressor Adventures, we’ve seen first-hand in the first quarter that people are valuing their time away from home more than ever. Bookings increased 17 percent this March compared to pre-pandemic averages,” says Wayne Brown, CEO of Aggressor Adventures. “I am encouraged to see travelers taking longer and more extensive vacations. This allows for people to add in experiences they wouldn’t have had time for on a shorter break.”
Professional Flexibility with Remote Working
A recent American Express Global Travel Trends Report reveals 54 percent of consumers believe the freedom and flexibility of being able to live and work while traveling the globe is more appealing now than it was prior to the pandemic. Similarly, Aggressor’s survey shows more than 19 percent of consumers intend to travel more this year because they are working remotely.
“While you may not be able to work remotely on adventures, customers are benefiting from professional flexibility during plane rides and layovers. The ability to stay connected with your employer while traveling to and from our destinations gives travelers peace of mind that their workload will be significantly less daunting upon their return home than in years prior,” says Brown.
Luxury Travel on the Rise with Help from Planners
The pandemic has changed peoples’ perception of luxury travel. Aggressor’s survey results show nearly 40 percent of consumers plan to spend more money than they normally would on a trip this year. Similarly, the American Express Global Travel Trends Report reveals personalized experiences, high cleanliness standards and privacy being the most desirable luxury amenities among respondents. Additionally, 59 percent of travelers indicate they want to use a travel agent to help plan and customize their next trip.
“Our phones have been ringing off the hook since the start of the new year. Customers are telling us they see small group luxury travel as the safest option for them,” says Lisa Stierwalt, Travel Agent with Aggressor Adventures. “People have a little extra money in their pocket from staying home during the pandemic and are using travel to treat themselves to a much-needed adventure. We have exceeded our expectations for the first quarter of this year and can’t wait to see what the rest of the year might bring as vaccination rates increase across the globe.”
For each question of Aggressor’s travel survey, the company polls Gen X and Baby Boomers with a household income of $75,000+ across the country. Respondents receive the questions via text message or directly through the 1Q mobile app. This was the third survey conducted by the brand in 2021 and is part of a new Aggressor Adventures Consumer Travel Index,which will track consumer sentiments on a bi-monthly basis throughout the year.
About Aggressor Adventures
Since 1984, Aggressor Adventures® has offered travelers liveaboard scuba and snorkeling charters, luxury river cruises and exotic wildlife safaris. Worldwide locations the company explores include Bahamas, Belize, Cayman Islands, Cocos Island, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Galapagos, Hawaii, Indonesia, Maldives, Mexico, Oman, Philippines, Palau, Red Sea, Roatan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Turks and Caicos. The company’s Clean, Refresh, Sanitize safety standards are industry leading. For more information, visit www.aggressor.com or call (800) 348-2628 or (706) 993-2531.
