Dive Brief:
- Half of U.S. adults plan to travel overnight for leisure before the end of the year, and nearly one-third of employed adults expect to travel overnight for business, according to a new survey from the American Hotel & Lodging Association.
- Hotels remain the top lodging choice for both leisure and business travelers, with nearly four in five hotel guests planning to stay at midscale or higher-end properties.
- Despite the optimistic findings, economic concerns and the current government shutdown could impact travelers’ plans and accommodations selections this holiday season.
Dive Insight:
According to AHLA’s survey, conducted by Morning Consult, 46% of respondents say they are most likely to take an overnight family trip during the remainder of the year, while 34% expect to travel overnight for Thanksgiving and 37% expect to travel overnight for Christmas.
Hotels remain the top lodging choice for both leisure (44%) and business (63%) travelers. Travelers on romantic getaways (53%) and solo adventures (48%) are especially likely to choose hotels, while those visiting family for the holidays are more likely to stay with relatives.
However, according to the poll, which was conducted between Sept. 6-8 among a sample of more than 2,000 adults, travel intention has declined slightly from last fall and winter, with 45% of respondents citing rising costs across the economy as the top reason for scaling back plans. About half (49%) say inflation could make them less likely to travel overnight in the months ahead.
The current government shutdown could also affect travel plans in the coming months. Transportation Security Administration agents and air traffic controllers are continuing to work without pay, which could lead to potential flight delays and cancellations.
“These findings reinforce what we know: Americans want to travel, and they overwhelmingly trust and depend on hotels when they do,” Rosanna Maietta, AHLA president and CEO, said in a statement. “Despite this positive sentiment, it’s clear that rising costs and economic uncertainty are having a lingering effect on travel plans.”
