Just as the Olympics, which is currently ongoing in Japan, proves that sports can unite humanity, so can travel and Expedia Group’s Greg Schulze believes it won’t be long till travel proves its power again in connecting people to places and cultures.

Expedia’s first Traveler Value Index shows consumers 'do not want to go back to what it was in 2019', says Greg Schulze

Speaking to WiT right after the Olympics opening ceremony last Friday the senior vice president and general manager of Strategic Travel Partners said, “It’s something I’ve always looked forward to – every four years, we have counted on this competition and its amazing athletes, bringing the world together. That’s what travel is all about and travel has resumed in many places.”

Greg Schulze: “All of us, having been confined, have reflected on what’s most important and this elevates travel.”

Sharing the findings of the group’s first Traveler Value Index study, conducted by Wakefield Research, Schulze said one thing stood out – although travel currently is tending to be closer to home, with three quarters of respondents planning such trips, “interestingly, they do not want to go back to what it was in 2019”.

“They want something new, even if it’s their own backyard. They want to explore. For example, half of all people want to take a new mode of transportation. Three quarters want to try new destinations. One quarter say they are planning a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“All of us, having been confined, have reflected on what’s most important and this elevates travel.”

Read the full article here