Survey: 49% of Coloradans Have Already Booked Holiday Travel

DENVER (Oct. 25, 2021) - Amid a complex, competitive travel environment, Coloradans have already begun making their travel plans for the holiday season, per new AAA Travel survey data. Nearly half (49%) will have their holiday trips booked by the end of October. 

Click here for the full survey results. AAA will release its Thanksgiving Travel Forecast on Nov. 9. 

"As the entire travel industry surges back to life, would-be travelers need to book early - as they're effectively competing with other travelers for inventory limited by supply chain and labor-shortage issues," said Skyler McKinley, AAA's regional director of public affairs. "We see it every year: The closer you get to the holidays, the more airfares rise. That's doubly true in this unique travel environment, so travelers should get their plane tickets by Halloween if they want the best rates." 

Vaccines: Cornerstone of Consumer Confidence
The majority of Coloradans (52%) plan to take a vacation of three or more days during the 2021 holiday season - up from 26% at this time last year. 

While the Delta variant has caused some traveler discomfort, fully 70% of Coloradans remain committed to travel plans they made prior to its emergence. 

Of the 79% of Coloradans who report to be fully or partially vaccinated:

• 76% are confident the vaccine will protect them from contracting COVID-19 while traveling.

• 68% are confident in the long-term effectiveness of the vaccine.

Notably, 49% of vaccinated Coloradans said that travel was the motivating factor in their decision to get a COVID-19 vaccine. 

Travel Confidence Over Time
All told, 69% of Coloradans feel comfortable traveling - up 30 points from this time last year, when vaccines weren't available. That's down from a high of 77% in Q3, following a resurgence in COVID-19 cases brought on by the Delta variant. 

Despite the snag, confidence could rebound through the end of the year. 42% of Coloradans say that lower COVID case counts ultimately make them feel more comfortable traveling. 

Travel Confidence by Trip Type
In stark contrast to this time last year, when consumers were only comfortable with self-directed travel - camping, road-tripping, and RVs - the majority of Coloradans are now comfortable with nearly every travel option.

68% of Coloradans now say they're comfortable staying in a hotel or resort among other travelers - up 19 points from this time last year. 58% say they're comfortable taking a commercial flight - up from 32% in 2020.

Masks, Vaccine, and Tests
Coloradans continue to express willingness to wear a mask while traveling: 67% say they plan to voluntarily, while 26% will wear a mask if it's required. Only 7% would refuse to wear a mask, up from 3% this time last year. The majority of Coloradans (77%) say that a mask mandate would either encourage or not impact their decision to visit a destination. 

Meanwhile, 48% say that a proof of vaccination requirement makes them more likely to travel, while 13% say it makes them less likely. 

Similarly, 29% of travelers say that a proof of a negative COVID-19 test would deter them from visiting a destination - while 71% say it would encourage or not impact their decision to travel. 

Travelers Increasingly Turn to Travel Advisors & Insurance
Facing a dynamic travel environment, Coloradans are beginning to change the ways that they book travel. 

Per the survey data, 26% of Coloradans say that they value travel agents more than before the pandemic. And nearly half of all Coloradans (47%) say they're more likely to purchase travel insurance than before the pandemic began, up from 33% in Q1 2021. 

"By and large, this survey tells us two things: Coloradans are ready to travel again, but they realize that travel is more complex than it's ever been," McKinley said. "From getting a vaccine to wearing a mask to working with a travel pro, they're willing to do whatever it takes to make informed decisions and get back out there, especially as the holidays approach."

About the AAA Consumer Pulse™ Survey
The AAA Consumer Pulse™ Survey was conducted online among residents living in Colorado from September 15-22, 2021. A total of 400 residents completed the survey. Survey results asked of all respondents have a maximum margin of error of ± 4.9% points. Responses are weighted by age and gender to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the adult population (18+) in Colorado.

About AAA - The Auto Club Group
AAA Colorado is a proud part of The Auto Club Group (ACG), the second-largest AAA club in North America with more than 14 million members across 14 U.S. states, the province of Quebec and two U.S. territories. ACG and its affiliates provide members with roadside assistance, insurance products, banking and financial services, travel offerings and more. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation with more than 60 million members in the United States and Canada. AAA's mission is to protect and advance freedom of mobility and improve traffic safety. For more information, get the AAA Mobile app, visit AAA.com, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.