One in five HKers willing to work six days a week to exchange quarantine-free travel: survey

More than one-fifth of travel-deprived Hongkongers are willing to work six days a week for the remainder of this year in exchange for immediate quarantine-free international travel, a survey has found.

Expedia, one of the world’s leading full-service travel brands, from September to last month surveyed 500 people aged 20 to 59 who have travelled abroad over the past two years or are planning to do so by the end of next year.

Some 48 percent said they had already received two jabs, 6 percent had one, with another 24 percent saying they had no plans to get vaccinated.

Over 70 percent of unvaccinated respondents said they are more willing to get vaccinated if travel corridors between Hong Kong and international destinations open now but require a full vaccination to travel to.

Although Hong Kong is sticking to the strict “zero infection” strategy, more and more international countries and cities have embraced the “live with coronavirus” idea and opened itself to travellers.

Some Hongkongers believe the “live with coronavirus” concept signifies light at the end of the tunnel, with survey results showing Hong Kong people are optimistic and ready to travel overseas next year.

Twenty-four percent said that they planned to travel within the next four to six months and 34 percent were considering overseas trips within seven to 12 months.

Since several countries have lifted compulsory quarantine restrictions for inbound travelers, 10 percent of respondents even expect to travel by the end of next month.

Results of the survey mirror Expedia’s 2020 Vacation Deprivation Survey findings, which highlighted Hongkongers were amongst the top in Asia, 60 percent, to desire a “vacation state of mind.”

In addition, acceptance to “vaccine passports” among respondents were also largely positive, with 60 percent saying they would prefer travelling to destinations that require a vaccine passport or certificate because these places will be safer.

With regards to non-permanent residents visiting Hong Kong, 71 percent of those surveyed agreed that overseas travelers should only be granted entry if they are fully vaccinated.

Asked what would make them feel more comfortable traveling overseas, 40 percent said low numbers of confirmed Covid-19 cases, while 38 percent said they will wait until the World Health Organization declares the end of the pandemic.

Japan and Taiwan topped the list of most-wished for travel corridors with 55 percent and 40 percent of respondents expressing this desire respectively.
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