The pandemic led to a series of behavioral changes in Mexican travelers and, although some will only be short-term and temporary, some trends will prevail structurally, such as the digitization of the travel experience and the use of new ones. technologies, according to a report from the Center for Research and Tourism Competitiveness (Cicotur) Anáhuac.
The study ‘Perceptions and attitudes of Mexican travelers in post-COVID-19 times’, indicates that currently there are factors that accelerate the intention to travel, such as the perception of offers that will not be repeated, the need to escape from confinement due to the pandemic and family visits, but also others that slow it down, such as the economic impact of the pandemic and an aversion to risk for fear of catching COVID-19 or a perception of increased security.
This led to a drop in consumer confidence to go on vacation that has gradually recovered, with reactions that differ generationally among people.
Generation X -which was born between 1969 and 1980, approximately-, for example, is the one that plans trips with the longest advance (almost half with it two months before), while almost a quarter of millennials plan a trip a week earlier and centennials show a greater willingness to take trips up to less than a week in advance.
Other changes are more widespread, such as the use of rented private homes for vacation, which a quarter of those surveyed for the study considered a more important practice than before.
“Probably, the only structural change that is emerging is a consolidation of the digitization of the industry in the commercial part”, explained Francisco Madrid, director of Cicotur. “Using more online travel agencies, direct reservations or privileging home rental platforms speaks to us of that as a consolidation.”
By segment, modifications could also be seen. “We have the impression that the structural changes will be taking place in business tourism, meetings and corporate travel, there it is possible that there will be significant changes,” said Madrid Flores.
By type of destination, travel preferences prevail in the sun and beach segments, and to a lesser extent in the cultural segment, which in turn has been limited by the closure of venues such as museums and archaeological centers.
