Even as Israelis remain largely stuck at home this August, with corona restrictions making most travel oppressively inconvenient, a new survey finds that Israelis vacation habits have changed through the course of the pandemic.
In addition to getting a good deal on a vacation package, which is always a top priority, Israelis now rank cancellation flexibility and a hotel’s good hygiene measures the most important considerations when planning a vacation abroad, according to a survey conducted by travel site Agoda.com through the Geocartography Institute.
“It’s no surprise that in this tough time of the pandemic, Israelis are yearning to take a break and travel,” said Agoda COO Omri Morgenstern. “We love to explore. But how we prefer to travel now is different from before.”
Of the 504 survey respondents, 43% said they are more likely to take domestic vacations now than before the pandemic. More people are looking to relax on vacation now, with 18% looking to explore nature more, and 14% looking for relaxing beach vacations. Active sports vacations were the least popular choice, with just 5% of Israel’s more interested now. Eleven percent said they are now more likely to vacation overseas since the pandemic began.
Eighteen percent of Israelis cite a good price deal as their most important consideration, while flexibility in canceling bookings was close behind at 16.7%, followed by accommodation with hygiene measures in place at 16.3%. The level of restrictions at the destination, such as the need to wear a mask, was found to be the least important consideration for Israelis, with only 5% saying that was important to them.
Getting a good deal and no-quarantine required upon returning to Israel were more important considerations for younger people (18-34) compared with adults (55+), who were more likely to consider cancellation flexibility and whether the destination only allows vaccinated travelers to enter, the survey noted.
The spontaneity of last-minute travel is what Israelis miss most (36%) because of the pandemic. Close to one in four (24%) said they miss work-life balance and taking a complete holiday from work, while 17% miss the excitement and anticipation experienced before a trip, the survey found.