Dec 13, 2022
What follows are NYSTIA staff insights gleaned from the December 6th State of the American Traveler findings from Destination Analysts. The results focused on holiday season travel plans as well as perspectives and attitudes regarding travel in 2023. We would like to thank Destination Analysts again for publishing this data and making it available for us to share.
Our most significant takeaways from the December 6th webinar are:
- Economics vs Public Health: Findings indicate that economic issues (inflation, uncertainty regarding the potential for a recession in 2023) have had more of a negative impact on travel and future travel planning than concerns over public health issues (COVID/RSV/Flu Tri-Virus).
- Optimism regarding travel has rebounded from the sharp declines in mid-year but has not fully returned to where it was at the end of 2021.
- Near term travel planning (holiday season) appears to be up slightly from a year ago, but travelers are likely to exercise caution and be conservative/budget minded regarding making commitments too far into the future.
- Desire To/Interest In Future Leisure Travel: Consumers continue to indicate great desire for travel experiences and are interesting in exploring travel opportunities. Economic and health concerns may continue to drive 'just in time' travel planning for the immediate future.
- Plans For 2022 Leisure Holiday Travel: Holiday travel plans/expectations for 2022 are slightly more optimistic than reported travel statistics for 2021. (trip = travel 50 miles or more from home)
- A Majority Will Travel: 55% of those surveyed plan to travel during the 2022 holiday season.
- Age: About 60% of younger (Gen Z/Millennials) generations plan to travel vs about 50% of the older Gen X and Boomer generations.
- Income: The likelihood of travel planning increases with income, 56% or more of households with income over $50,000 plan to travel, increasing to 67% for HHI of $200K+.
- Frequency: Nearly half of those who do plan to travel anticipate one holiday trip, over a quarter plan two trips and the balance plan 3 or more trips. The average is 2.2 trips.
- Duration: Length of stay varies broadly from one night to more than 7 nights. The average is 5.3 days.
- Lodging: Nearly 6 out of 10 travelers will utilize paid lodging of some kind for 1 or more trips.
Once again, we would like to thank Destination Analysts again for publishing this data and making it available for us to share. If you would like to view the full presentation statistics and findings, please use the link below.