Many raring to go, accept staycation as permanent fixture

Nearly three in four Hongkongers are ready to travel again but more than half consider quarantine requirements as their top concern, a survey has found.

Hong Kong ranks seventh on the Travel Confidence Index by travel-booking website Booking.com despite having continuous tight border restrictions in the past two-and-a-half years compared to many markets across Asia.

The site asked 11,000 respondents across 11 markets between April and May this year and found more than 70 percent of 1,000 Hong Kong respondents said they intend to travel in the next 12 months.

Key concerns shared by the travelers included local and overseas quarantine requirements (55 percent), the possibility of getting stranded in destinations under new border regulations (43 percent), and the fear of getting infected with Covid (37 percent).

When it came to looking at the ideal trip length, 54 percent said a trip lasting from six to nine days was most preferred, followed by a short trip from two to five days (27 percent).

Meanwhile, half of Hong Kong respondents agreed that disruptions are part and parcel of travel now.

More than half feel leisure travel is still important to them, despite border restrictions still in place.

The desire to "just get away" became the top motivator to travel for 70 percent, followed by 43 percent who hoped to "visit a new destination," and 27 percent who wanted a "getaway to recharge mentally."

Only one-tenth said they would book a trip because of work, which was the least common reason for travel.

The pandemic also altered Hong Kong travelers' behavior as staycation and outdoor activities are likely to be part of the permanent vacation roster in the future, said the survey.

About 47 percent said they were likely to book local staycations even if international travel resumes. About 46 percent said they would still engage in outdoor activities post-pandemic.

Laura Houldworth, managing director of Asia Pacific at Booking.com, said the easing of border restrictions in the region has reinvigorated not just consumers, but the overall travel industry.

"It is a promising indication of the opportunities available for the industry to adapt and collaborate now to bolster the overall confidence of travelers," she said.

"We can truly make it easier for everyone to travel and experience the world again in a sustainable way."

Booking.com said that the diversity in terms of consumer travel sentiment and confidence across Asia Pacific has become more pronounced as Asian countries start to emerge from several years of strict border closures and lockdowns.

Meanwhile, cyber-security experts at NordVPN, the Lithuania-based VPN provider, have tips for a cyber-secure holiday, including advice on WiFi and bank services. Avoid using charging stations or public WiFi while traveling to avoid being hacked by cybercriminals, NordVPN said.

eunice.lam@singtaonewscorp.com