Dutch people long for hugs and travel in the new year

Farewell to the three kisses

We can't wait until we can say goodbye to the corona measures again. However, there are also measures that the Dutch would like to keep. For example, 35% of Dutch people actually appreciate the 1.5 meter distance, mainly with strangers. The Dutch also indicate that they would like to say goodbye to giving the three kisses to 'John and everyone'. Some even go so far as to no longer want to shake hands, the 1.5 meters suits them just fine. The measures regarding travel are a different story. That is something that many Dutch people long for again.

Travel hunger and hugging lovers

There is a great 'hunger for travel'. One can't wait to travel again. When asked what people would most like to do again when that is possible, most people put hugging and embracing loved ones as their number one priority. Seeing family and friends again and traveling abroad are also the most popular. 14% of respondents even want to go on holiday abroad immediately, before giving their loved ones a hug.

Holidays abroad are the number one priority for more people than eating out or going out. Many trips have been canceled recently. 41% of respondents indicate that they want to catch up on the trip. Mainly young people and highly educated people. 24% of the Dutch people surveyed want to do this as quickly as possible. The expectation is that the travel industry will still be able to help many Dutch people with a trip as soon as this is possible again.

Color codes properly adhered to

Dutch people are careful about traveling at this time. In general, color codes are well adhered to. 66% indicate that they would not consider traveling with code yellow, even though it is officially allowed with extra vigilance. Travel intentions have decreased even further after the general negative travel advice from the government. So people listen carefully to the calls in government press conferences. Just over a quarter (28%) of Dutch people actually stay at home as much as possible and do not travel within their own country. The older, the more Dutch people stay at home as much as possible. In addition, travel intentions halve as people rate their own health lower.

Travel safely

For many Dutch people (30%), confidence in air travel increases when they see that health measures are being properly observed. Transavia pays a lot of attention to safe travel through all the measures it takes itself and keeping passengers well informed. Ultimately, we make air travel safe together in these times.

If it is possible again, where will we travel?

Dutch people are most looking forward to a beach holiday (27%). In addition, it is striking that 21% still prefer to go on a city trip. Even though the cities are now being avoided by the coronavirus, this will not stop Dutch people from visiting big cities again. 19% prefer a holiday in nature.

"These are great insights that show the travel industry that Dutch people would like to travel again as soon as this is possible again," says Marcel de Nooijer, CEO of Transavia. 'Although the situation is not rosy now, we are confident that demand for travel will increase again in 2021. The arrival of the vaccine, extensive testing and all the measures that we and our partners in the travel industry are already taking offer prospects . We are also seeing an increase in the number of bookings for spring and summer. It is precisely during this period that we are preparing to be able to scale up quickly again to take passengers to beautiful destinations. Where it goes without saying that safe and responsible travel is priority number 1.'

The opinions of people on the street were also asked. Transavia has conducted street interviews to gauge the status of the Netherlands. This can be seen in the 4-part series 'Code Green: What would you do?' via Transavia's YouTube channel .