MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay - October 1, 2020 - Sabre Corporation (NASDAQ: SABR), a leading provider of software and technology powering the global travel industry, today released the results of a survey across Latin America to understand traveler sentiment in the region. The survey revealed 5 key findings that the travel industry can use to advance the recovery of the pandemic-affected sector.
The new survey gives us insight into what the Latin American traveler is thinking as the industry begins to show signs of recovery, which are driven by the lifting of some travel restrictions.
"Latin American travelers are eager to travel again. Essential and leisure travel is leading the recovery in the region, with domestic travel recovering at a faster pace due to travel restrictions," said Guillermo Prosper vice president of customer service and product support & general manager of Sabre Montevideo. "Our survey results show the impact the Covid-19 pandemic is having on traveler expectations and priorities in the region. Companies that adapt more quickly to these changing expectations will be more successful in their recovery efforts."
The 5 key findings of the Sabre survey about the Latin American traveler's sentiment are:
Finding 1: Many Latin Americans are eager to travel again once the restrictions are lifted.
Although 20% of respondents said they would not travel unless a vaccine is available, and 11% do not plan to travel soon, the survey shows positive signs for the travel industry. Fifty percent of respondents said they plan to travel within the next 6 months once the restrictions are lifted. Of those surveyed, 14% said they plan to travel immediately, as soon as the restrictions are lifted, while 21% indicated they would travel within 1-3 months.
- The survey shows that, of all the age groups surveyed, those between 18 and 39 are the most likely to want to fly soon, with 38% indicating they would travel within three months of the opening of flights and lifting of restrictions.
- The country with the most positive travel sentiment was Mexico, with 52% of respondents expecting to travel within 3 months once the restrictions are lifted.
- Peru is the most cautious, with a total of 42% of respondents saying they would not travel unless a vaccine is available.
Finding 2: The type of transportation influences. Latin American travelers will be careful when choosing how they travel to their next destination.
Of all respondents, 36% indicated that traveling by bus presented the highest risk of infection, followed by air travel with 27%, and cruise ships with 25%. Car rental represented the lowest risk for respondents, with only 2% indicating it as a risky means of transportation in terms of contagion.
- Respondents from Brazil indicated that air travel poses the highest risk of infection (35%), followed closely by 32% who believe the highest risk mode of transportation is by cruise ship, and 23% who believe it is by bus.
Finding 3: While travelers expect better health safety measures and flexibility on flight cancellations or rescheduling, a good offer remains the main factor.
When respondents were asked to select in order of importance the determining factors when booking their next flight, health measures, flexibility in flight cancellations or rescheduling, and a good offer or price showed similar results, although price was the most important determinant.
Among those surveyed, 36% said the most important factor in booking their next flight would be a good deal or competitive price. At the same time, 30% said strict health measures, and 28% gave greater importance to flexible policies on flight cancellations or rescheduling.
- In Brazil, 50% of respondents chose price as the most important factor, followed by Mexico with 38%.
- In Peru, 52% selected strict sanitary measures as the main factor when booking their next flight, the same in Argentina with 38% of respondents.
- In Uruguay, 40% of respondents chose flexibility in flight cancellations or rescheduling as the main factor.
Finding 4: The Latin American traveler has high expectations of seeing improved sanitation measures, but social distancing and mandatory use of face masks for travelers were given higher priority than other measures.
When asked to select in order of importance among various sanitation measures, respondents identified social distancing, use of face masks and better cleaning/sanitization as the three most important in air travel. Travelers want social distancing even on flights, with 61% of respondents indicating they would cancel their flight if they knew it was full.
- For the hospitality sector, the focus is on cleanliness/sanitation and social distancing.
- Interestingly, for both the aviation and hospitality sectors, respondents indicated temperature controls and contactless check-in as the least important measures listed in the survey.
Finding 5: Although travelers from Latin America and the Caribbean appear to be eager to travel, many will choose a destination close to home.
More than half (56%) of respondents indicated that they would opt for a domestic or short-haul flight (less than 8 hours flying time) when making their next booking, while 22% would choose a long-haul flight (more than 8 hours).
- Respondents from Mexico and Peru would opt for a short-haul flight, 72% and 71% respectively.
- Respondents from Argentina and Uruguay showed the greatest inclination towards long-haul flights, with 37% and 38% respectively - almost double that of other Latin American countries.
Survey Methodology
The Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) Traveler Sentiment Survey seeks to gain insight into traveler sentiment across the region. A total of 1,760 responses were collected and used to formulate this press release. No personal information was collected in this anonymous survey. The survey included a total of 15 questions and was hosted online via Qualtrics software. It was distributed in two languages, Spanish and Portuguese, to travelers throughout the LAC region via Sabre Corporation's social media channels on Facebook and LinkedIn during September. To increase reach, a sponsored Facebook ad was distributed for two weeks in September.
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About Sabre Corporation
Sabre Corporation is the leading software and technology company powering the global travel industry, serving a wide range of travel companies, including airlines, hotels, travel agencies and other suppliers. The company offers sales, distribution and fulfillment solutions that enable its clients to operate more efficiently, increase revenue and deliver personalized travel experiences. Through its leading digital travel marketplace, Sabre connects travel suppliers and buyers around the world. Sabre's technology platform manages more than $260 billion in global travel spend annually. Sabre is headquartered in Southlake, Texas, USA and serves customers in more than 160 countries around the world. For more information, visit www.sabre.com.
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