Sonder Holdings Inc. has released new survey findings, providing data and insights into the return of travel as the summer season approaches.
The report, conducted in partnership with Ipsos, shows a significant increase in the number of Americans with plans for personal travel this year compared to results from a baseline survey conducted by Sonder in July 2021, with many considering longer trips and digital nomadism.
Survey highlights:
- Americans are eager to travel this year, with a significant increase in personal travel plans since last summer. Almost three-fourths of Americans (72%) say they have personal travel plans this year, up 10 points since July 2021. Interest in business or international travel is also higher than it was last year—up eight and 10 points, respectively.
- Longer trips and “digital nomadism” may be here to stay, especially among certain demographic groups. More than six in 10 (61%) Americans are interested in taking a trip for two weeks or more in the next year, with interest higher among younger adults aged 18-34 and parents. While younger adults are more interested in longer trips, 82% of family travelers say they are interested in taking a trip while working remotely (up 15 points from last summer).
- Value is the top priority among Americans planning to travel for personal reasons, as 42% of Americans prioritize high value for the price paid, followed by accommodations near popular tourist destinations (33%), on-site amenities (23%) and the spaciousness of accommodations (15%) when traveling for personal reasons.
- The majority of American travelers value sustainability in their accommodations. More than six in 10 (64%) say sustainability and the environment is important to them when choosing their traveling accommodations.
- Aesthetics matter. 81% of Americans say the look and feel of their accommodations is important to them when considering booking a stay.
- The pandemic has highlighted the desire for cleanliness, affordability and no-touch options among Americans looking to travel. A total of 66% of Americans say cleanliness of accommodations has become more important since the pandemic began.
“We’re seeing sustained increases in booking momentum across our portfolio, as Americans jump back into summer travel,” said Francis Davidson, cofounder/CEO, Sonder. “We built Sonder as the model for the future of hospitality and these findings indicate that our emphasis on technology and design to drive the guest experience are really aligned with what modern travelers are looking for in their stays.”
The nationwide survey was conducted by Ipsos on behalf of Sonder between April 28-May 2 among 2,009 American adults.
