A new international survey reveals that you can easily trust an American and they are most likely to forgive you.

Researchers who surveyed 8,000 adults from seven different countries found 42 % of Brits would never trust a person or business again once they’d been let down.

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But the USA is most willing to let bygones be bygones (26%) of the nations surveyed, which included China, the US, Canada, Spain, France, Germany, and the UK.

Trustworthiness is considered to be the single most important trait a person or a business can have by 94 % of people from China – more than any other country.

In contrast, 74 % of Germans feel the same way – the lowest proportion of all the nations surveyed.

The Chinese also believe they are most trustworthy, with those from the US consider themselves to be the least deserving of someone else’s trust.

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Chinese people find it the ‘easiest’ to put their faith in others too – while the French find this most difficult.

A spokesperson from Travelzoo, which conducted the research, said: “In carrying out the study it has become apparent different countries approach trust and trustworthiness slightly differently.

“And this goes to show just how complex a subject this is – with many conscious and unconscious reasons why we might or might not be willing to put our faith in someone or something.

“What is clear however is that being trustworthy is a highly valued trait among the vast majority of adults polled.”

As with most businesses, trust is important but 51% of all adults polled consider this to be especially important when booking a getaway.

On this note, the study identified what assurances consumers would seek before committing to a holiday as the pandemic continues.

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These include knowing that all precautions have been taken to limit COVID-19 transmission while travelling by plane, train or cruise ship (46 per cent) and in the chosen accommodation (44 per cent).

Promises that the destination itself is safe from the pandemic would also be important (40 per cent), as would testing at both the airport (40 per cent) and hotel upon arrival (33 per cent).

But the number one requirement would be the option of money back or being able to reschedule if travel is limited due to restrictions (50 per cent).

In the wake of the pandemic, the travel industry’s reputation has been affected very differently when comparing European and non-European countries, namely China and the USA.

Almost half of those from North America and from China (both 47 per cent) said they now trust holiday companies more following the outbreak.

This is much higher than the 18 per cent of adults from the UK, France, Germany and Spain who feel the same way.

Travelzoo added: “There is so much pent-up demand for a holiday.

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“Travel providers must take the time to listen to the reassurances bookers want before they are ready to book.”

Forgive and forget?

Americans emerged as the most likely to forgive after being let down in an international poll.

LIKELIHOOD OF FORGIVENESS (LEAST LIKELY TO MOST LIKELY)

1. UK
2. Spain
3. France
4. Canada
5. China
6. Germany
7. USA

COUNTRIES RATING THEIR OWN TRUSTWORTHINESS (HIGHEST TO LOWEST)

1. China
2. Canada
3. Spain
4. UK
5. France
6. Germany
7. USA

‘EASIEST’ TO TRUST (EASIEST TO HARDEST)

1. China
2. USA
3. Spain
4. UK
   = Canada
5. Germany
6. France