Growing concerns over geopolitical instability and flight disruptions are fuelling a rise in booking anxiety among travellers in Northeast Asia, prompting many to delay purchases and prioritise flexibility when making travel plans.

This is according to a study sponsored by Protect Group, which sells booking protection, among other ancillaries, to travel brands.

Flexible or refundable options wanted

Close to half (42%) of travellers across China, Japan and South Korea now actively seek flexible or refundable booking options when arranging trips, new research conducted by Web in Travel and Phocuswright, and sponsored by Protect Group, revealed.

When looking at Chinese travellers alone, the figure rises to 67%.

The findings come as uncertainty becomes a more prominent factor in decision-making.

Half of respondents reported experiencing travel disruptions in recent years, while flight cancellations and political instability emerged as the leading sources of concern during the booking process.

Rising levels of travel anxiety

Chinese travellers reported the highest levels of anxiety, particularly around event bookings and the possibility of unexpected disruptions.

Japanese travellers were more likely to cite the complexity of travel planning as a concern, while South Koreans consistently reported lower levels of anxiety throughout their booking journeys.

The impact is already showing up in booking behaviour.

Nearly 30% of travellers surveyed said they are postponing travel purchases and booking closer to departure dates than before.

In China, the trend is particularly pronounced, with almost half of respondents intentionally delaying bookings to minimise the risk of disruptions affecting their plans.

Peak anxiety during booking stage

The study sponsor also suggests that the effects of travel uncertainty extend beyond consumer sentiment and are beginning to influence how travel businesses approach the booking journey.

According to Protect Group, agencies and online travel agencies reported peak anxiety during the comparison stage, when travellers evaluate options and weigh potential risks. Airlines and accommodation providers, meanwhile, tend to encounter the greatest hesitation at the point of purchase, when travellers must commit financially.

Stephen Joyce, global strategy lead for travel, tours and online travel agencies at Protect Group, believes the trend reflects a longer-term shift in traveller attitudes towards risk.

“This reflects a structural shift in travellers' behaviour and in how consumers perceive the inherent risks of booking travel,” he said. “We anticipate this trend will continue to intensify in the coming years, driven by growing travel complexity, evolving regulatory frameworks, stricter entry requirements, and a persistently volatile global outlook.”

Meanwhile, Protect Group, which is marketing its own refund protection product to travel brands, highlighted “strong consumer awareness and appetite for refund protection products across the region”.

The study shows that China leads the market, with 73% of travellers familiar with refund protection solutions and purchase intent reaching 88%. Awareness is also high in South Korea (75%), while Japan records the lowest level in the region at 62%.