HAMILTON, ON — Tripcentral.ca has reported new survey findings that examine the relationship between vaccination levels and future demand to book travel.

The survey, conducted between Feb. 24-28, 2021, asked 5,785 past Canadian customers a total of seven questions to gauge their sentiments toward COVID-19 vaccines and how they will potentially impact future travel decisions. What it found, said president Richard Vanderlubbe, was that 80% of respondents who want to be vaccinated expect to be vaccinated by September, indicating belief in the government’s vaccine rollout plan despite a slow start. Just under 18% indicated that they were not interested in being vaccinated.

Of those not interested in being vaccinated, 61% indicated they would travel now if it weren’t for travel restrictions that are currently in place. The top concern about booking travel among those not interested in being vaccinated was Canada’s quarantine rule (68%).

For those expecting to be vaccinated by September, 45% said that their number one concern is not yet being vaccinated themselves, followed by quarantining upon return (30%). Nearly one-quarter of respondents who expect to be vaccinated by September ranked vaccinations in destinations as their second biggest concern.

“Concern about vaccination at destinations would indicate the even if Canada is mostly vaccinated by fall, demand for travel will still not fully recover,” said Vanderlubbe. “Canada has purchased far more vaccine than will be needed and eventually we will donate it to other countries. It makes sense for the Government to consider donating it to countries where Canadians travel such as Cuba, Dominican Republic, parts of Mexico, Jamaica and other Caribbean islands.

“Giving back to countries that Canadians visit most and reducing the risk of Canadians returning home carrying variants from unvaccinated destinations is a win-win all around.”