Allianz Travel Trends 2016
Did you know that Allianz Travel Insurance comes out with a yearly study about current travel trends for Americans? I didn’t know that either until recently. But this year’s Allianz Travel Insurance Vacation Confidence Index is pretty interesting, much more so than the name would suggest 😉
Allianz Travel Insurance Vacation Confidence Index
Unfortunately, fewer Americans will travel this year, but the ones that do travel, plan on spending quite a bit more, actually almost $ 90 billion per year on vacation. That makes almost $1800 per household for travel, up 11% from last year. That is a nice chunk of change to go out and explore, don’t you think? But for me, even more encouraging is the fact that more and more people say that an annual vacation is very important (36%) or important (65%). I know that travel is also super important to most of you guys and since the mission of my blog is to encourage people to go out and travel, this makes my heart jump with joy.
Obviously I hope we can beat those numbers in 2017, but this looks very promising. As the economy is getting stronger, people are more willing to take time off and spend some money on vacation again. Taking a break to recharge is important and makes you more efficient when you return to your job. So go out, take a vacation, relax a little and come back fresh and ready! Deal?
Travel Trends 2016: Sharing economy
Another very interesting development in travel trends this year is the fact that more and more people become part and active users of the sharing economy. They use AirBnB, HomeAway, Uber, Lyft and all the other companies that are part of this new travel trend. While it was a novelty idea just a year or two ago, using those services has become pretty mainstream today. Now more and more people choose them as alternatives during their travels.
I have used quite a few of the companies above and I love the idea of sharing available resource. The husband and I even used AirBnB on our honeymoon in Scandinavia and had a great time. “i’ll just uber it!” is a common expression nowadays and I can’t remember the last time I actually got into a cab. Zipping through the city with Uber or Lyft is just so easy and convenient.
Another thing that I love about using AirBnB for example, is that I get to experience the place like a local. I try to stay in shared apartments when i use AirBnB, because I am not a big fan of hosts that buy up apartments only to turn them into short term rentals and turning the rental market upside down. When I stay in a private room with a local, I can get the inside scoop of someone living there and find out about cool stuff to do, their favorite restaurants and unique spots to check out.
What is your favorite shar-ec company that you use when you travel?
Allianz Travel Insurance
As people spend more money on their vacation and travel becomes more important to them, one important aspect is often overlooked: Travel Insurance. There is nothing more frustrating than getting sick before a trip. No wait, there is. Getting sick before a trip AND still having to pay for everything anyways! So you not only miss out on a long planned vacation, but now you still have to pay for it? That doesn’t seem right, does it? You guys know that I travel quite a bit and travel insurance is definitely something that I don’t want to skimp on. It takes so much worry off of your shoulders to know that you and your family will be taken care off, if something should happen, whether it is before or during the trip!
Why get Allianz Travel Insurance?
Allianz Travel Insurance is a well known Travel Insurance company and I remember my family used them when we traveled in Europe and on our RV trips through the US. They have been around for over 60 years.
Allianz Travel Insurance not only covers your expenses, when you can’t go on your trip due to illness (check coverage), but also offers medical assistance, when you get sick during your travels. They help you out in case you lose your documents or luggage, and support you in many other cases that could be a pain, if you had to go through it by yourself in a foreign country. Allianz Travel Insurance even offers a Concierge service that helps you get tickets for shows and concerts, can make restaurant reservations for you and some other cool stuff to make your vacation just a tad more special. Check out what else Allianz Travel Insurance has to offer and also follow them on Twitter @AllianzTravelUS #TravelHappy
For me, it is definitely worth the money and I can sleep better at night 🙂 And if you are planning a trip, I highly recommend getting Travel Insurance! Check out what else Allianz Travel Insurance has to offer!
Thanks to Allianz Travel Insurance for sponsoring this post, providing travel coverage for the unexpected. MariaAbroad.com received financial compensation from Allianz Global Assistance (AGA Service Company).
Pin for Later – Allianz Travel Trends 2016
MariaAbroad is a Travel Blog to inspire you and show you cool places around the world. I'll share articles about travel, culture, and craft beer. Follow me along, as I adventure through the world, one beer at a time. Cheers!
I think with fuel prices down, that has been an incentive for some to get out on the road a little more. It would be interesting to see the percentages of domestic vs international travel.
Despite never having yet used it myself, I am in fact a big fan of Allianz Global Assistance travel insurance (in my fresh role in travel consultancy I sell a lot of it).
That said, after a promising start, this post felt more plug and less content for mind… A big reason why I’ve rarely been a fan of sponsored posts (especially the few I’ve been involved in)
Those are such interesting statistics. I wonder if Canadian trends are similar. I’m also in the search for travel insurance for my three-month trip this fall. Thanks for the info, Maria!
Quite interesting! I’d love to see the UK trends too.
Super interesting article. Loe what allianz did for the infographic, would love to see one for the GCC region since I am now based in Dubai 🙂
It’s great to hear that travel for Americans is going up. We generally put less importance on vacation than I think we should for a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle. As the world becomes more accessible, I hope the trend continues.
I love the “sharing trend” that is making it easier to really dig deep into a place without spending a fortune. I have noticed that more of our friends are taking big ticket vacations this year. It’s awesome!
I have been searching for a decent travel insurance, I would love to get World Nomad but it is too pricy! Does Allianz only suitable for Americans?
Hi Mary,
no Allianz Travel Insurance can be bought in a variety of countries. They are actually a German company with many subsidiaries in other countries. Maybe search for Allianz + Travel insurance in your language.
I never knew Allianz insurance did this! I haven’t thought about it much, but I do say and hear ‘I’ll Uber there’ much more than I use cabs- definitely a trend. Will check out their insurance!
I honestly don’t get travel insurance when I travel domestically and internationally. But as I learned the importance of it. I will surely get an insurance when I travel abroad 🙂
I think what the world needs today is have more and more people travel and understand the different people, countries and culture and hopefully this will work a transformation to make the world a better place for all of us.
Yeah, I’m not surprised less Americans will travel, but I’m not one of them. There are so many great deals to take advantage of and I love that sharing economy helps foster more exploration.
I wish they do… Everywhere we go, we meet people from UK, Europe, Asia or Australia, very rarely someone from the USA.
Flight prices are dropping in the UK, so I guess it must be the same in the US! Great time to travel.
I really do hope more people are actually taking time off work this summer. When I first heard how many people in the US don’t take their vacation days I was shocked!! It’s so important to take a break and get out every once in a while.
Happy travels,
Maria
I really should start about having an insurance when I travel. I’m so bad at it and really never given any thought about it.
I got an insurance with Allianz for my travels to New Zealand. I hope not to need it, but I’m happy to be covered with them!
I always make sure I have travel insurance when I travel. Otherwise I can’t fully enjoy my holiday! I haven’t used Travel Allianz, but it’s one I will definitely look into in the future.
Travel insurance is the first thing I buy after booking a trip – usually even before booking the accommodations. I’m one of those people who would be punished by the universe for not buying it, so I make sure I always have it, even for 2 day trips.
I really enjoyed the infographic on this post. I wonder how statistics in Canada compare.
Great information to have. Thank you, Maria!
Hi, do you know in what ways Allianz might be better to get than World Nomad?
Good to know that people are still thinking about traveling. With more and more ways to keep traveling expenses down like AirBNB and other sharing apps I hope the trend continues. Great information.
Great Statistics !! is this data after considering the effect of Brexit. Has in some other report I read that American tourist to UK and Europe will be reduced because of the Brexit.
Well being in the tourism industry and I am not at all surprised by those stats! People seem to be taking shorter breaks (economy? choice?) but many more travellers! I have booked marked this though because I never travel with insurance but as I get older, I think it is something I should strongly consider for sure! Great post, as always! 🙂
Funny how people spend more money on travel but they also make more use of the “budget” / sharing options. Is it because of these options, travel becomes more accesible and therefor, people can spend their money, on other stuff involving travel, like plane tickets, food and tours?
I hope to be travelling more, would be good if I could get more time off work:) Travel insurance is a must every trip!
I have been carefree during all these years of travel but as I am growing old I am realizing how important it is to go for travel insurance. Maybe I should get one soon!
This summer was the first time I took a vacation (well, TBEX) to Europe.
It’s so crazy that only one-half of people plan on taking a vacation this year. We need to change that mindset.
Definitely sad to hear that fewer people are travelling! I guess it’s just the world we live in but perhaps I’m making up for the ones that aren’t travelling?!!
Only 6 in 10 say taking an annual holiday is important?! I would say 10 in 10!! Who are these people? 😉
This sounds great! Going to look into Allianz right now – thanks Maria!
I never travel outside India without a travel insurance. As a frequent traveller, we know the need of insuring all our trips. Allianz looks interesting. However I don’t think it is applicable for us.
Very useful article. While people are concerned now a days to save the extra money on travel , Travel Insurance also plays an important part of our travel. One should always have insurance before they head out. Thank yo for sharing it.