As more countries vaccinate their population against the coronavirus, the time has come for keen travelers to dust their suitcases and prepare for the next adventure. Israelis are as eager to be traveling as ever, a new survey conducted by Booking.com reveals.
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According to data, 74% of Israeli respondents say that traveling is more important to them now than it was before the pandemic, compared to 64% of all respondents.
Nearly three-quarters (71%) of Israeli and international respondents went so far as to say they would rather go on a vacation in 2021 than find true love! Travel also beat out career success, with 67% of Israelis and 66% of respondents in general saying they preferred to travel than to receive a promotion at work.
Some 52% of Israelis and 53% of the respondents in general said they took advantage of their free time during lockdowns to plan future trips. Some 49% of Israelis and 45% of the respondents in general accumulated more vacation days than usual in 2020, which they are eager to use for an extended vacation in 2021, they said.
Some 76% of Israelis and 61% of the respondents in general said they were certain that they would visit a tourist destination with a beach this summer.
When it comes to the most desired destinations, 17% of Israelis and 23% of the respondents in general chose a relaxing beach vacation. After an exhausting year, 13% of Israelis preferred to vacation in the city, and 7% of Israeli wanted a vacation filled with outdoor activities.
As for travelers around the world, 6% said they would book a trip with outdoor activities, and 5% said they would prefer spending their days off in the city.
Respondents expressed great confidence in vaccinations, with 65% of Israelis and 59% of respondents in general choosing not to travel until they were inoculated. The number rose to 83% among Israelis over age 55, compared to 68% among respondents in general.
Some 61% of Israelis and 55% of respondents in general said they would only travel to safe countries that followed coronavirus restrictions and had operated vaccination campaigns.
Nevertheless, there was still uncertainty about the effectiveness of the vaccine, as 32% of Israelis and 41% of respondents in general said they were not sure whether the vaccine ould ensure that their travel was safe.
More and more Israelis are looking into travel options online, said Nir Mazor, chief of Israeli tourism operator Aviation Links of Aviation Links.
Mazor said that most searches and bookings were for Greece for June through September, but also for the Seychelles and Dubai in the near future, he said.
"Confidence in aviation is on the rise. Moreover, families with children are also making reservations for the summer stemming from a decision to return to a routine summer vacation in the most beloved and popular destinations," Mazar explained.
"The demand for traveling abroad has risen in recent weeks significantly," CEO of Gulliver Tourism Ziv Rozen said. "Israelis are back to having fun.
Georgia no longer requires Israelis to self-isolate upon arrival, and ticket sales to the country have skyrocketed," he said. "The United Arab Emirates, Greece, and Cyprus do not require to self-isolate either and are also in high demand. Many Israelis will take advantage of the long Independence Day weekend to go on a vacation abroad."
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