But 2021 doesn’t seem to be that year. While rising vaccination rates have eased restrictions in many places, pandemic-related concerns are impacting how people plan to celebrate the holiday season. To better understand these perspectives, the IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV) surveyed more than 13,000 adults in 9 countries (Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Mexico, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States).
We found that people’s opinions about COVID continue to vary widely—and these perspectives play a large part in holiday planning. Where people fall on the concern spectrum will define, in part, what they’re planning to spend, where they’re willing to go, and how they will get there.