New Poll Suggests Fears of Omicron Will Not Significantly Affect Travel

Americans are largely taking new COVID-19 variants in stride.

Polling conducted by MedJet found that travelers are keeping their plans in place in the presence of variants.

MedJet polled members in November and found that more than 84 percent of those who responded had future travel plans in place. Ninety percent were planning to take a domestic trip in the next nine months and 70 percent expected to take an international trip within the next nine months.

The good news, when it comes to variants is that while 51 percent of MedJet members reported that previous variants and spikes had affected their future travel plans, only 25 percent of respondents reported having actually canceled because of them.

“Most just changed their destination, or mode of transport, or lodging,” said Gobbels. “Barring any more serious travel bans, which President Biden just announced he does not currently foresee, we expect a large portion of our members to continue traveling despite the emergence of Omicron. Some may need to make new plans if their flights or tours are canceled, or if border closures (like Japan and Israel currently) affect them.”

Unfortunately, while travelers may want to travel, many travel plans were affected by variants.

Fifty-one percent said previous variants and spikes had already affected future travel plans. Twenty-seven percent said variants, and spikes had not and 23 percent said that they weren't sure yet.