International travel faces major challenges with overwhelming support for a COVID-19 Travel Pass but deep concerns about data security and mental health.
A survey just released by the International Air Transport Association found that while 80 per cent of respondents said they were encouraged by the prospect of the IATA Travel Pass App and would use it almost the same number said they would only do so if they have full control over their data.
The Travel Pass will contain COVID-19 vaccine and testing results as well as being able to be used by travellers to manage their travel documentation digitally.
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Worse 60 per cent said they would not use the App if the data was stored centrally.
IATA director general and chief executive Alexandre de Juniac said “we are designing IATA Travel Pass with the traveller in mind.
“Passengers keep all the data on their mobile devices, and they remain in full control of where that data goes. There is no central database.
“While we are making good progress with numerous trials, we are still awaiting the global standards for digital testing and vaccine certificates. Only with global standards and governments accepting them can we maximize efficiency and deliver an optimum travel experience.”
The survey also found that 84 per cent believe that COVID-19 will not disappear, and the risks need to be managed while living and travelling normally.
Almost 70 per cent said their quality of life has suffered from the flying restrictions and half said restrictions have gone too far.
A massive 40 per cent of respondents to the survey “reported mental stress and missing an important human moment as a result of travel restrictions and over a third have said that restrictions prevent them from doing business normally.”
Looking into the future 57 per cent expect to be travelling within two months of the pandemic being contained and 72 per cent want to travel to see family and friends as soon as possible.
But there are headwinds with 81 per cent saying they will be more likely to travel once they are vaccinated but 84 per cent said they will not travel if there is a chance of quarantine at the destination.
The IATA survey covered 5000 respondents in 11 markets across the globe and covered people who had travelled in the last 11 months during the pandemic.
