The gradual opening of the borders in the region has been the much awaited catalyst for consumers to turn their pent-up international travel demand into action and begin travelling again. Insights from Booking.com’s inaugural APAC Travel Confidence Index show that travel confidence in Vietnam is consistently high across the board, with 85% of Vietnamese travellers likely to travel in the next 12 months in spite of any disruptions.
And with any trip, planning can be a daunting task which has to be more meticulous than ever before, in today’s complex travel environment married with additional layers of administration, protocols and health guidelines to follow. Booking.com is sharing its top tips to help travellers travel the world with confidence, as we start exploring beaches, mountains and monuments once again.
Tip 1: Plan ahead and travel when you’re ready
In this era of travel restrictions, we must all become long-term planners; and there are some very good reasons to embrace it.
The more time you have before you go, the more money you can save for those "treat yo’self" moments. This is particularly important to keep in mind among Vietnamese respondents given that 54% of them have cited that budget is a key consideration when they travel. With all this time on your hands, you can also afford to shop around, wait for flash sales and – where it makes sense to do so – book well in advance. Paying for transport, accommodation and activities over the course of a few months helps spread the cost too.
Planning your travels well ahead not only gives you the widest choice of accommodation – including those quirky-cool home rentals on Booking.com – it also offers the best chance of snagging sell-out gig and theater tickets, elusive restaurant reservations and a table for drinks in the trendiest spot in town.
Hence, slowing down and mindfully planning a future trip can help us appreciate the true value of travel, instilling a sense of gratitude and wellbeing. Practice patience, relish the anticipation, and research, research, research – while remembering to enjoy the here and now.
Tip 2: Take control of your surroundings with “seals of approval”
It is clear that uncertainty due to the constantly evolving COVID-19 situation continues to plague travellers. When asked about their biggest motivators to travel, ‘assurance on health and safety’ emerged as one of the top voted by 56% of Vietnamese respondents.
In response to this rise in demand from travelers wanting greater awareness of a property’s health and safety features, Booking.com now ensures properties’ safety measures (such as hygiene, sanitation, physical distancing) are clearly visible on the property page, so travelers can have peace of mind when booking their next trip.
Additionally, Booking.com has introduced its Minimal Cleanliness Score Commitment to support unique accommodation partners as they commit and work to improve and maintain their cleanliness score, as determined by verified guest reviews from travelers who have booked and stayed at the property. Based on ongoing guest feedback, only properties which live up to this cleanliness quality over time will remain available for guests to book, ensuring peace of mind for travelers looking to travel safely.
Tip 3: Personalize your trip with technology
Traveler preferences are still intimately personal and there will be no one-size-fits-all approach to travel in the future. Just take travellers' choice for travel destinations, for example: the Travel Confidence Index discovered that when it comes to their first post-pandemic holiday, 45% of Vietnamese respondents prefer to go on a regional trip, with 39% opting for a short-haul travel.
With personal preference reigning supreme more than ever before, Booking.com has been innovating to make it easier for customers to find what they’re looking for- wherever and whatever that may be - with an updated search experience. This includes filters for customers looking for private, whole home accommodations and properties that have implemented health and safety measures, as well as introduced search options for trip themes, such as beach or hiking, and nearby destinations, surfacing tailored options and hidden gems to travelers while driving additional visibility for property partners to ensure they can attract travelers looking for their offering.
