Hopeful holiday makers unite to call for mandatory vaccination passport checks for passengers and crew

Allianz Assistance survey confirms a strong consumer desire for organised, safe international travel

- 66% of people surveyed want Coronavirus vaccine passport checks introduced

- 70% agree that vaccine passport checks should apply to crew as well as passengers

- 78% say international travellers must have a recent, negative Covid test

- Of those respondents who confirmed they had been vaccinated, one in three said they had no plans to travel abroad this year

Allianz Assistance’s latest research into consumer appetite for international travel and support of Coronavirus vaccine passports reveals a positive but cautionary approach to getting back on board*. The findings from leading travel insurance and assistance provider Allianz Assistance, report 66% of respondents back the government’s introduction of vaccine passports on the NHS app.

The findings show a desire by the majority for secure, regimented international travel, supported by the Coronavirus vaccine passport. They want to see the same rules applying across the board, from pilot to passenger, with 70% agreeing that crew must also provide proof of vaccination.

In addition to compulsory vaccination passport checks, 78% of survey respondents believe passengers must supply a recent, negative Covid test to travel. 57% of respondents said they had been vaccinated and had no plans to travel abroad this year.

“Whilst there are understandable concerns around the virus continuing to spread in some countries, Covid vaccines are rolling out at pace both here in the UK and across the globe. Add to this the introduction of the new governed traffic light system which is supporting the UK’s lifting of the Stay-at-Home restriction, it is inevitable we will see bookings for international travel increase,” comments Rachel Temperton, Head of Travel and Tourism at Allianz Assistance UK.

For those making international travel plans, it is important to check the most recent advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) which continues to advise against all non-essential international travel to some countries and territories. Travellers should also check for country entry restrictions, testing or quarantine requirements and if in any doubt, contact the UK-based embassy for the destination country they are planning to visit. Careful consideration should also be given to which travel insurance offering is best suited for the trip and once bought, the policy should be reviewed within the standard 14-day cooling-off period to ensure they understand their level of cover.

Continues Rachel Temperton: “Understandably, however, even those consumers actively seeking to travel remain wary. There is overwhelming support across the UK for the continuation of measures that offer protection against the risk of infection, including the introduction of a vaccination passport.”

The support for vaccine passports extended to the use of facemasks and 73% said they must be mandatory on international transport. Of this group, 51% strongly believe this is important.

The respondents showed similar opinions when asked about UK citizens travelling abroad and international travellers being allowed into the UK. 64% said UK citizens should not be permitted overseas without proof of vaccination and, similarly, 72% do not want to allow international travellers into the country without a vaccine passport.

*Survey of 200 consumers aged between 18 and 70 conducted by Gorkana Surveys, May 2021