If you’re wondering "Is it okay to take a trip?" you’re not the only one.
A lot of people are wondering if it’s safe to travel.
Thursday, a group of travel experts and business owners in the St. Johns County tourism industry discussed it in a virtual meeting.
They considered information gathered during a travel research survey conducted in April and May of 1,200 Americans. Destination Analysts, a San Francisco-based research company that specializes in travel research, conducted the survey.
And no question about it, most people miss traveling.
About 70% of those in the survey said they "can’t wait" to go on a trip again.
"People are looking for experiences they feel they have control over. So they feel safer outdoors," Richard Goldman said. He is the director of the St. Johns County Visitor and Convention Bureau.
For many, the beach is calling. When asked in mid-April what’s the first trip you will take after the pandemic, the majority of people said beach destinations and resorts. Right behind that was small towns and rural destinations.
And few people want to fly, "because they feel the environment is too out of control and confined," Goldman said. "They’re very happy to to get in the own cars and travel."
People in the survey felt the safest about non-team recreation activities, followed by taking a road trip and visiting with friends and relatives. People felt the most uneasy about attending a performance, traveling outside the U.S., and taking a cruise.
Also, travelers want to know where they are traveling is clean. The survey showed 64% of people want businesses to provide hand sanitizer. More than half want to see the places being cleaned while they are there.
Those in the survey said they are going to wait a little long to travel. The numbers climb through the summer months, and most feel comfortable with a trip in September.