Half of Romanians want to travel in 2021 because they are feeling stressed
- 54% of Romanians would choose a destination in Europe, and 45% would also opt for travelling in Romania
- The fear of isolation or the possibility of flight cancellation are the reasons why Romanians postpone their vacations
- Medical insurance is the service that customers consider the most important for travel safety (66%). 57% of people who use online agencies services attach great importance to the possibility of reimbursement of accommodation and plane ticket
- Vola.ro continues to be the most well-known, used and recommended online travel agency in Romania, with 8 out of 10 clients declaring themselves satisfied with Vola specialists and services
Vola.ro, the largest online travel agency in Romania, has carried out an analysis of the travel intentions of Romanians for 2021, trends in tourism industry and the fears of Romanian tourists. The study was conducted by Mercury Research at the beginning of February, on a sample of 616 respondents. The study confirms the direction of the European Commission to relax the pressure on the tourism industry by issuing the green certificate, which will allow people to travel without restrictions.
About half of Romanians want to travel this year
According to data analyzed by Mercury Research, 43% of Romanians want to travel in 2021, 29% are still undecided and only 27% say they will not travel this year. This insecurity is mainly generated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the passing of time seems to improve this uncertainty about future trips. 53% of respondents declare that they are willing to resume traveling starting this summer.
The most important factor that convinces Romanians to plan a vacation in 2021 is the need to relax and get rid of the stress they have been exposed to recently, followed by the attractiveness of last-minute offers and the frustration caused by postponing trips in 2020.
Europe remains the favorite destination of Romanians in 2021
Despite the fact that COVID-19 has hit hard in many European states, and travel restrictions are still in force for most destinations on the continent, the preferred destination of Romanians in 2021 remains Europe, which is preferred especially by young people. Travel within the country is on the 2nd place in Romanians’ preferences, this being rather the choice of those over 45 years old.
Regarding accommodation, most prefer hotels and guesthouses, and as a means of transport the bus and the plane, followed by train and personal car. Therefore, there are important changes compared to last summer, when Romanians preferred to spend the night in apartments or guesthouses with a small number of rooms, or to rent villas for small groups, to which they could travel by their own car.
The main concerns about travel in 2021 are isolation and possible flight cancellations
Concerns about future travel in 2021, among those 43% who said they will go on vacation this year, are isolation, flight cancellation and loss of money alongside with COVID-19 infestation. Those who will not travel this year are especially worried about a possible infestation with COVID-19. Isolation is also the main concern for those still undecided about travel in 2021, followed by infection with COVID-19 and the possibility of flight cancellations.
“We have been waiting for almost 12 months for a positive sign from European authorities, a measure that will no longer set limits and close borders, but a measure that will offer alternatives to those who want or are forced to travel. The study carried out at the beginning of this year is a clear proof that Romanians want to travel, of course with a few additional safety levers, such as travel insurance and products of the “Vola Reimbursable” type that guarantee you the least possible risk. Eliminating this pressure on mobility not only means a green wave for leisure travel, but above all it means a green wave for the diaspora, a community of millions of Romanians affected by the restrictive measures and the unpredictability of the authorities.” said Daniel Truică, CEO of Vola.ro.
In 2021, 78% of Romanians say that it is important for them to use a travel agency even if they declare themselves independent travelers
Given the last-minute changes regarding travel conditions and the unclear situations to which tourists are sometimes exposed, or the difficult processes of refunding money, 53% of Romanians declared that it is very important in 2021 to receive assistance and information from a travel consultant. 25% consider it even more important than before to use a travel agency.
Medical insurance is considered essential for travel safety
Medical insurance is the service that 66% of tourists consider the most important in order to feel safe and protected during their travels, and 57% of people who use online agencies give increased importance to the possibility of reimbursement of accommodation and plane ticket. This percentage is even higher among those who call on the help of Vola.ro specialists in planning and buying vacations.
About Vola.ro
In 2019, following a study conducted by Mercury Research, Vola was designated as the most reliable and recommended online travel agency in Romania. The company has had, since the beginning, an explosive dynamic, both in terms of turnover and the number of employees and customers. Vola.ro serves individuals or companies, offering complete tourism services: support for booking scheduled and low-cost plane tickets, the option of refundable tickets, hotel reservations, city-breaks, vacations, travel medical insurance and services of rent-a-car.
Also, Vola.ro is the first company from Romania to be ranked first, for three consecutive years, in the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 list, in Central Europe. In 2015, Vola.ro received an investment of 5 million euros from 3TS Capital Partners, the same fund that also invested in Elefant.ro. InternetCorp, Zoot and Vector Watch in Romania.
In 2019, Vola.ro had a turnover of approximately EUR 10.6 million at a transaction volume of EUR 71 million.
In August 2020, Vola.ro, launched Vola Boats, a boat rental service developed in partnership with Boataround.
