APPROXIMATELY 52 PERCENT of Americans plan to travel overnight for leisure during the upcoming holidays, according to a recent American Hotel & Lodging Association survey. Hotels remain the top choice for 45 percent of leisure and 59 percent of business travelers. However, inflation continues to pose a significant challenge for hoteliers and travel-related businesses.
A Morning Consult poll of 2,201 U.S. adults from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 found that of the 66 percent of Americans planning to travel in the next four months, 25 percent are more likely, and 41 percent are equally likely to stay in a hotel this fall or winter compared to last year.
The survey found 32 percent of Americans plan to travel overnight for Thanksgiving, and 34 percent for Christmas, matching last year’s figures.
“Despite its positive findings, this poll underscores how inflation continues to challenge hoteliers and other travel-related businesses,” said Kevin Carey, AHLA’s interim president and CEO. “Helping America’s hotels reach their full economic potential depends on extending pro-growth tax policies, growing the hotel workforce, and stopping burdensome regulations. That’s why AHLA will continue to fight for these issues.”
Inflation hits hotel stays
About 56 percent of respondents said inflation is likely to reduce their chance of staying in a hotel over the next four months, up slightly from 55 percent in the spring, the survey found. Around 50 percent felt inflation may reduce their chance of overnight travel, 44 percent said it may reduce their chance of flying and 42 percent are concerned it may reduce their chance of renting a car.
Around 47 percent of respondents are likely to take a family trip in the next four months, with 36 percent planning to stay in a hotel. Around 37 percent are likely to travel for a romantic getaway, with 52 percent likely to stay in a hotel, and 32 percent plan a solo trip, with 44 percent opting for a hotel stay.
Approximately 66 percent of Americans say sustainability is important when they travel, and 57 percent are more likely to stay in a hotel with a sustainability certification like Green Key Global.
About 23 percent of employed adults plan to take a business trip in the next four months, with 59 percent expecting to stay at a hotel. High-speed WiFi is the top tech priority among hotel guests, with 63 percent ranking it in their top three.
A May AHLA survey found that hotels were the preferred lodging for 60 percent of business travelers and 46 percent of leisure travelers during summer.
