‘Tis the time to travel! Senior travellers bounce back with vaccine roll out

In the first two months since the Covid-19 vaccine rollout began, travel insurance aggregator, Squaremouth, says the impact on traveller trends can already be seen.

At the onset of the pandemic, the travel insurance comparison site reported an almost immediate drop-off in senior-aged travellers. The company noted their average traveller age dropped from 50+ to 38 years old. In the two months following the initial vaccine efforts, Squaremouth says they are already seeing senior travellers bounce back.

“Early on in the pandemic and prior to the vaccine, we saw younger travellers comprising a larger market share, as the percentage of senior travellers dropped,” says Squaremouth lead data analyst, Steven Benna. “Now, our data shows the traveller market is beginning to shift back to what it was before.”

Rebound in senior travellers

Amid the rollout of the vaccine, the company reports an increase in the percentage of travellers in every age group over 60. During that same span, the percentage of travellers in each age group under 60 has respectively decreased, marking a significant shift from earlier in the pandemic.

Travellers buying insurance earlier

As senior travellers are regaining their willingness to travel, Squaremouth notes a trend in travellers planning further ahead. The average traveller is buying their travel insurance policy 74 days before they depart for their trip. Prior to the vaccine, travellers were buying their policies an average of 42 days ahead of time.

The company maintains a large portfolio of travel insurance products that offer coverage related to the Covid-19 pandemic, including cancellation and emergency medical benefits for contracting the virus, and ‘Cancel For Any Reason’ coverage.