Despite Swine Flu Fears, Americans Keep Their Travel Plans

May 19, 2009 9:52 a.m. EST

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - A new survey shows that despite fears related to the ongoing swine flu (H1N1) outbreak, Americans who had travel plans this May have overwhelmingly decided to keep those plans.

An Ipsos survey conducted in early May 1-5 found that 99% of Americans reported being very or somewhat aware of the outbreak. Nonetheless, 95% of those who had plans to travel between May to August, 2009, kept those plans intact.

"All across the U.S. we found near universal awareness of Swine Flu," Ipsos Vice President of Travel and Tourism Research Jim Quilty explained. "But when it comes to travel, we also found that the health concerns associated with this specific flu were not strong enough to convince Americans that it was necessary to cancel their immediate travel plans."

Americans were also polled on what they would do if the pandemic continued. Among those surveyed who had reservations or planned to travel, 13% said they would cancel travel plans without question while 17% would take a "wait-and-see" approach.