A new study of consumers and professional travel advisors shows a net positive outlook for the luxury travel industry in 2021. Slightly more consumers feel optimistic about their leisure travel plans for this year than pessimistic, and luxury travel advisors see their business returning, albeit slowly, in 2021.

The affluent consumers in the survey, conducted by Strategic Vision, a consultancy specializing in the luxury travel and lifestyle industries, are intently focused on how they can get back on the road, as well as when and where. And they have retained their interest in travel, with 70% of them reported having taken a trip since lockdowns began in March of last year. “Affluent travelers have been constrained by the pandemic, and they’re intent on fulfilling their travel dreams as soon as they’re able,” said Peter J.

Bates, President and Founder of Strategic Vision.

“Our research shows this pent-up demand is generating keen interest in safaris, European vacations, and far-flung destinations — if not in the immediate term, then in the near future. At the same time, luxury travelers are being careful and following the science on vaccines, testing, and therapeutics.”

The Pulse of the Industry Survey is conducted annually by Strategic Vision and includes executives from the top travel management firms in the United States, which plan and book leisure, business, meetings, and incentive travel for some of the world’s largest companies and wealthiest individuals. For the first time, the 2021 survey also included luxury travel consumers, who are active clients of ten of the leading travel management firms. Taken as a whole, the responses comprise a comprehensive behavioral portrait of the American luxury traveler right now, as well as a view of the industry as it enters a precarious phase of recovery. Both surveys were conducted in mid-November and early December 2020.

Both Pfizer and Moderna announced the initial success of their vaccine trials while the survey was in the field, so the findings do not fully reflect the impact of the vaccines’ approval and distribution.

Click here for complete Luxury Travelers Are Ready to Get Back on the Road in 2021 report in PDF format.