The survey conducted by the data analytics firm found that 36% of those polled said they would consider international travel to another continent in the next 12 months, 8% more than the percentage of people respondents who stated that they would consider an international trip traveling to a country on the continent in which they live.

Ralph Hollister, Travel and Tourism Analyst at GlobalData, commented: “Due to Covid-19, frequent adjustments have been made to travel restrictions, and each country has different regulations in place, which means traveling to a different continent in the short term – term will always be risky. These implications can lead to sudden cancellations, and the likelihood of contracting the virus is top of mind for travelers. However, it appears these factors may not deter consumers from traveling, as long-haul routes are expected to reopen to the masses this year.

“Concerns about the above factors suggest that the demand for long-haul travel is expected to be lower than the demand for short-haul travel; however, this does not appear to be the case. It shows how the general fatigue created by the pandemic has left travelers convinced they need a dramatic change of scenery and may be willing to put aside considerable concerns to achieve it.

Airline plan for long-haul travel

This month, United Airlines, based in the United States, announced a new long-haul expansion to Europe and Air France declared a new expansion in the United States, with new flights starting this summer. United Airlines has said it will add new flights to Croatia, Iceland and Greece. In addition, Air France announced that it had added Denver to its network.

Hollister said: “This increase in long-haul flights to popular destinations shows that airlines have also predicted pent-up demand for long-haul travel this year. Betting on long-haul travel from a travelers and business perspective always carries risks as the pandemic is not over and the situation can still change quickly. However, global demand for long-haul travel is clearly increasing, showing signs that a significant recovery could begin this year. “

At the same time, affordable Covid-19 testing is the key to a safe return to travel, according to Katalyst Laboratories, airlines Delta and Singapore Airlines are currently stepping up their pre-flight testing.