Americans’ Business and Leisure Travel Set to Soar This Summer: Report

The travel landscape is witnessing a significant shift as 61% of Americans plan to engage in leisure travel with overnight stays in the next four months, and 34% anticipate increasing their leisure journeys compared to the previous summer. Similarly, the business travel sector is also seeing an uptick, with 35% of Americans expecting to undertake business-related overnight trips during the same period, and 16% aiming to increase their business travel from last year. This data, reflecting a blend of business and leisure or ‘bleisure’ travel trends, shows how both sectors are dynamically intertwining, driving changes in travel preferences and accommodations. As more travelers seek to maximize their trips’ value by combining professional responsibilities with personal enjoyment, the travel industry adapts by enhancing services to cater to these evolving demands.

A recent survey by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and conducted by Morning Consult reveals that 61% of Americans are planning leisure trips that include overnight stays in the upcoming four months. Moreover, 34% of Americans anticipate increasing their overnight leisure trips this summer compared to the previous year.

The survey also indicates that 31% of Americans are likely to book more hotel stays this summer than they did last summer.

On the business travel front, 35% of respondents expect to take overnight business trips within the next four months, with 16% planning to boost their business travel this summer over last summer’s levels.

Hotels are the preferred accommodation choice for 60% of business travelers and 46% of leisure travelers this summer.

These survey results present a positive outlook for hotel operators, despite ongoing economic challenges such as labor shortages and high interest rates. The survey highlights that inflation continues to be a significant concern, impacting the travel plans of many Americans. According to the survey:

• 55% of those surveyed believe inflation will likely decrease their likelihood of hotel stays in the next four months, a slight decrease from 56% in January.
• 51% feel inflation could diminish their chances of traveling overnight.
• 46% think inflation may deter them from flying.
• 44% consider inflation a factor that could discourage them from renting a car.

The poll, conducted among 2,202 U.S. adults from April 25 to 28, 2024, also uncovered additional insights:

• 52% of respondents are likely to take overnight family trips in the next four months, with 36% likely to choose hotels for their stays.
• 42% plan overnight romantic getaways soon, with 56% opting to stay in hotels.
• 31% are considering overnight travel for Memorial Day, with 35% likely to stay in hotels.
• High-speed Wi-Fi ranks as the most critical technological amenity for 32% of those surveyed when choosing hotels.

“This survey shows hotels are poised to benefit from a strong summer travel season, but it also underscores that inflation remains a stubborn obstacle to growth for our industry,” said AHLA Interim President & CEO Kevin Carey. “As hoteliers continue to face serious economic challenges, including a nationwide labor shortage, high interest rates, and aggressive federal regulatory efforts, AHLA will be fighting at all levels of government to overcome those obstacles on behalf of our members.”

According to the US Travel Association, domestic leisure travel is projected to continue its robust performance, maintaining a steady growth rate of approximately 2% in 2023 and 2024. Furthermore, travel volume is anticipated to increase more rapidly on a year-over-year basis compared to inflation-adjusted spending starting in 2024 and extending into future years.

According to the U.S. Travel Association, business travel volume and expenditure are expected to grow annually through 2027, the final year projected, though the rate of growth is anticipated to slow each year. In 2024, global business travel expenditures are forecasted to hit $265.5 billion, reaching nearly 87 percent of the levels seen in 2019. By 2027, spending is projected to increase to $282.7 billion, which will be 92.4 percent of the levels before the pandemic.

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