Most passengers would accept digital health passports – new survey

New research by Amadeus indicates that 90% of travellers would be comfortable using a digital health passport for future travel.

Indeed, the study, commissioned by Amadeus and delivered by Censuswide, claims that 41% of travellers were keen to book an international trip within six weeks of restrictions lifting.

The study, says Amadeus, found that just over 9 in 10 (91%) travellers surveyed said they would be comfortable using a digital health passport for future trips, dispelling fears of a boycott because of data protection concerns, although 93% of those surveyed showed some concerns around how their health data for travel would be stored.

When asked about the receptiveness to storing and sharing digital health data, according to Amadeus, the survey results show that:

• Just under three quarters (74%) of travellers surveyed would be willing to store their travel health data electronically if it enabled them to pass through the airport faster with fewer face-to-face interactions

• Over 7 in 10 (72%) surveyed would be willing to store their travel health data electronically if it enabled them to travel to more destinations

• 68% of travellers agreed they would be more likely to share their health data if the airlines they most frequently travel with offered a way to store their travel health data.

Although receptiveness to sharing data is high, the travel industry needs to consider traveller concerns around the use of data.

The three main concerns travellers have, according to Amadeus, are: Security risks with personal information being hacked (38%); Privacy concerns around what health information needs to be shared (35%); and Lack of transparency and control over where the data is shared (30%).

The survey also explored what solutions might alleviate concerns around digital health data and travel in the future and results showed that:

• 42% of passengers said a travel app that could be used across the whole journey would greatly improve their overall travel experience and reassure them their information is all in one place

• 41% of travellers agree a travel app would reduce their stress around travel

• 62% would be more likely to use an app to store their health data if a travel company partnered with a trusted healthcare company.

The survey of 9,055 people in France, Spain, Germany, India, UAE, Russia, Singapore, UK and US is the second in a series of traveller surveys, where Amadeus takes a regular checkpoint on their sentiment and concerns to help the industry rebuild travel in the most effective way.

Decius Valmorbida, president, travel, Amadeus, says, “There is no doubt that COVID-19 will continue to shape the way we travel for the months ahead, just as it influences so many other areas of our lives. Yet, while there are still uncertainties, research like this reinforces my optimism that we will build back travel better than before.

“Collaboration across governments and our industry is the key to restarting travel, as we deliver on traveller expectations outlined in this Rebuild Travel digital health survey, deploying the right technology to enable a truly connected and contactless journey.”