Kayak.com publishes daily data on consumer flight searches and this has been a reliable early indicator of future load factors, though of course people do book tickets and cancel more often now given the uncertainty in the world and greater flexible change policies that airlines have offered.
Up until now the most consumer optimism about travel, as revealed by their searches for flights, was in mid-June when domestic travel searches ‘peaked’ at just 43% lower than last year. International travel searches peaked at 62% lower than last year.
International lags domestic of course because people are reluctant to take longer trips, away from home where they might wind up quarantined or where travel rules might change while they’re enroute – even on top of the fact that most countries are closed to Americans.
And then something strange happened yesterday. On July 21 people searched for international travel 15% more than last year. What in the world is going on?
The world is opening up a little bit.
The single destination showing the greatest bounce back in international travel search is Istanbul, Turkey. One Mile at a Time is in Turkey now so perhaps this is the Ben Schlappig effect?
I don’t know, judging by the comments on the article it looks like his readership were quite upset that he and his boytoy took a trip there.
Have definitely been doing some summer 2021 trip dreaming. But not on kayak.com, ew.
Can’t speak to the other countries, but you see that wonderful deep shade of green on Nicaragua?
That’s everyone wanting to leave a country where every nation has stopped travel there. All commercial flights are cancelled. Honduras and Costa Rica have closed their borders (in CR, last I heard they weren’t even allowing permanent residents to return from abroad!). There’s no way to get in or out.
That data point was an anomaly. If you look at the source chart, you will see that it has now been corrected.
@jamesb2147
you have quite the flair for the dramatic don’t you? every country in central america has its border closed. some until sept. despite the government thats on par with trumps administration regarding this pandemic the world hasn’t ended there and for work and pleasure I’ll be on the first flight upon the airport’s opening. no more nicas are trying to leave the country than before and there’s no way in or out because, gasp, the airports closed like those of many countries. nice try though.
Definitely looked at Turkey because I saw Ford was there!
IMHO people are going stir crazy and having escapist thoughts–the big question, what will I do and where will I go when this is all over with?
With more news (and hope) re: all the vaccines coming out within the next several months, this is another cause for the upswing in travel planning.
people cant travel,so they plan trips ? at least that is my experience
Abey, me, too. Instead of driving through Portugal as originally planned, I’m on the oneworld site planning a so-far imaginary DONE3 thru 6 😉
@Joe, you seem jealous or is it just homophobia? 😉
I agree with DCJoe. ew, 🙁
Like Thadeus 🙂 but ew Turkey I have enough fascism here in US!
I believe Ben and his SO are married.
You do realize that they have been arresting people for putting out information about COVID on social media that they didn’t agree with in Turkey right? Not sure I would trust the Turkish government to be transparent with their numbers. Don’t worry I’m sure selfish Americans that just must make non-essential travel will rapidly infect Turkey with the virus and we will be banned from there too.
I do have to say, I am looking to book travel for next year. I wish I could go this year but at this point, it doesn’t look likely (international). Not Turkey, though. By spring or summer 2021 surely we will be able to go to Europe and I am going to start planning and booking for a month long trip and maybe a few more to go with it.
Well, I’m leaving the country on an international flight to a beach in 9 days. Will be enjoying myself immensely.
Nothing at all wrong with this. I have a trip to Europe planned for November (fully understand it may not happen but can cancel w no penalty and get miles redeposited for free so no risk). I’m looking at trips for 2021. The last couple of years I’ve taken 2 international trips to just get away by myself (Iceland/Hong Kong in 2018 and Croatia/Argentina in 2019). Had trips to Germany and Italy planned this year but both were cancelled due to COVID. As stated before I rebooked Germany trip to November and am looking at 1-2 getaways for 2021. Expectation is either there is a vaccine by early-mid 2021, effective treatment (some really good antibody treatments in final clinical trial plus more and more use of existing meds against COVID) and/or the virus will weaken as viruses tend to due to the mutation and broader immunity.
In any event it makes a lot more sense to research international trips than domestic since I would assume most people don’t need to research domestic trips they’ve likely taken numerous times in the past.
Good for you Mitch. This is a travel blog. Nice to see someone is traveling instead of complaining about those who are.