Easing of Travel Restrictions Encourages Nearly Half of Americans
to Consider Travel to Cuba, But Safety Concerns Loom Large in Travel Plans
Resorts and Beaches are Top Picks for Americans
Interested in Visiting the Island
RICHMOND, VA, 3.30.2016 —
While almost half of Americans are now interested in traveling to Cuba
following the U.S. government’s easing of travel restrictions and improved
diplomatic relations, a survey by leading travel
insurance provider Allianz Global Assistance found 70 percent of survey
respondents were currently unlikely to do so – citing safety concerns, lack of
traveler information and trepidation over visiting a communist-governed
country.
The survey, conducted during President Obama’s historic
visit to Cuba, found that 42 percent of Americans would like to visit Cuba and
that the easing of travel restrictions made 35 percent more interested in the
prospect of legally traveling to the country. But it also revealed that just 7
percent would actually be “very likely” to plan a trip to Cuba, while 22
percent were only “somewhat likely” to do so, and the remaining 70 percent were
not at all likely.
The major anxieties for Americans are safety concerns (44
percent) and fear of communist government (15 percent). Others felt there is a
lack of: information on Cuba’s travel experiences (18 percent), travel
infrastructure (12 percent), internet/mobile connectivity (7 percent) or
appropriate healthcare facilities (6 percent).
What would make American travelers more likely to visit
Cuba?
The survey results showed that Americans want to keep their
experiences inside their comfort zone, with 33 percent responding that beach
resorts would make them more interested and likely to travel to Cuba. That is
well ahead of Cuba’s cultural attractions (24 percent), the Cuban people (12
percent), Cuban food and rum (11 percent), classic 1950s American cars (9
percent), Cuban cigars (5 percent) and family and friends (5 percent).
Of the adventurous few that are likely to visit Cuba, only 4
percent plan on doing so in 2016, while 10 percent will do so in 2017, and the
remainder don’t know. When U.S. travelers do start visiting Cuba in large
numbers, more than half of Americans (55 percent) believe the country will
change for the better.
With safety the top concern holding back travelers, 15
percent of Americans said the peace of mind of having travel insurance would
make them more interested in traveling to Cuba.
“With safety concerns playing a large role in Americans’
traveling decisions, it’s important for everyone to protect themselves with
travel insurance,” said Daniel Durazo, director of communications at Allianz
Global Assistance USA. “Whether it’s a medical issue or a travel delay, a
travel insurance policy from Allianz Global Assistance can provide peace of
mind, especially for travel outside the U.S., where many hospitals may request
cash payments in the thousands before treatment even begins. Many U.S. health
insurance policies (including Medicare and Medicaid) may not cover
international travel; those that do may not cover the cost of medical
evacuation.”
The right travel insurance policy can provide coverage and
assistance for many unforeseen or unexpected events like covered trip
cancelations and delays, lost, stolen or delayed luggage, medical emergencies
and more.*
Methodology: This 10-question survey was administered
to the U.S. internet population on March 21, 2016, through Google Consumer
Surveys, receiving 2,282 responses. The methodology is explained here and
a snapshot of survey findings is below:
After the U.S. Government’s recent announcement easing
travel restrictions to Cuba, would you like to travel to Cuba?
- 58% - No, I would not like
to travel to Cuba.
- 42% - Yes, I would like to
travel to Cuba.
Do the easing of these restrictions on travel to Cuba make
you more or less interested in visiting the country?
- 35% - More interested.
- 8% - Less interested.
- 57% - No change.
How likely are you to actually plan a visit to Cuba?
- 70% - Not likely.
- 22% - Somewhat likely.
- 7% - Very likely.
If you feel likely to take a trip to Cuba, when do you think
you will go?
- 2% - In the next 6 months.
- 2% - Sometime in 2016.
- 10% - Sometime in 2017.
- 34% - I don’t know.
- 53% - I don’t feel likely
to take a trip to Cuba.
What would make you less interested/ likely to travel to
Cuba?
- 44% - Safety concerns.
- 18% - Lack of information
on Cuba’s travel experiences.
- 15% - Fear of communist
government.
- 12% - Lack of travel
infrastructure.
- 7% - Lack of internet/
mobile connectivity.
- 6% - Lack of appropriate
healthcare facilities.
What would make you most interested/ likely to travel to
Cuba?
- 33% - Resorts and beaches.
- 24% - Cultural
attractions.
- 12% - The Cuban people.
- 11% - Cuban food and Cuban
rum.
- 9% - Classic 1950s
American cars.
- 5% - Cuban cigars.
- 5% - Family/friends.
Do you expect Cuba to change for the better or worse as a
result of the U.S. easing travel restrictions to the country?
- 55% - Better.
- 8% - Worse.
- 38% - No change.
What negative changes do you expect opening Cuba to U.S.
travelers will have on the country?
- 39% - I don’t expect any
negative changes.
- 13% - Rapid modernization;
Cuba’s not ready for it.
- 13% - The next Cancun; a
theme park for tourists.
- 11% - A loss of Cuban
culture.
- 10% - An increase in
all-inclusive resort hotels.
- 7% - Worse lives for Cuban
people.
- 7% - Overcrowding of
world-heritage sites.
Are you concerned an influx of American travelers will ruin
the timeless feeling of the country?
- 7% - Very concerned.
- 12% - Concerned.
- 19% - Mildly concerned.
- 29% - Neutral.
- 14% - Not concerned, it
will not change.
- 20% - Not concerned, it
will change for the better.
Would the peace of mind of having travel insurance change
your interest in traveling to Cuba?
- 14% - Yes, more interested
with travel insurance.
- 45% - No, it doesn’t
address my concerns.
- 41% - Unchanged, I don’t
want to travel to Cuba.
--- ### ---
Allianz Global Assistance USA
Allianz Global Assistance USA (AGA Service Company) is a
leading consumer specialty insurance and assistance company. We insure 21
million customers annually and are best known for our Allianz Travel Insurance
plans. In addition to travel insurance, Allianz Global Assistance USA offers
tuition insurance, event ticket protection, registration protection for
endurance events and unique travel assistance services such as international
medical assistance and concierge services. The company also serves as an
outsource provider for in-bound call center services and claims administration
for health insurers, property and casualty insurers, and credit card companies.
For more information about Allianz Travel Insurance plans,
please visit AllianzTravelInsurance.com or
"Like" us on Facebook.
https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com/about/press/2016/cuba-travel-survey.htm
