According to a new survey commissioned by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) , 61% of Americans plan to travel overnight for leisure in the next four months and 34% expect to increase their overnight leisure travel this summer compared to last year.
The poll, conducted by Morning Consult, also found that 31% of respondents said they plan to increase their number of hotel stays this summer compared to last summer.
Regarding business travel, 35% of Americans said they expect to take an overnight business trip in the next four months, and 16% said they plan to increase their level of business-related travel this summer compared to last summer.
Hotels remain the top lodging choice for both business (60%) and leisure (46%) travelers this summer.
The poll results are good news for hoteliers, who continue to face challenging economic headwinds, including a nationwide labor shortage and high interest rates. However, the survey shows that persistent inflation remains a significant obstacle to growth for hoteliers and other travel-related businesses. It found that over the next four months:
- 55% of respondents said inflation is likely to reduce their chance of staying in a hotel, down slightly from 56% in January.
- 51% said inflation is likely to reduce their chance of traveling overnight.
- 46% said inflation is likely to reduce their chance of traveling by airplane.
- 44% said inflation is likely to reduce their chance of renting a car.
The poll surveyed 2,202 U.S. adults from April 25-28. Other findings include:
- 52% of respondents said they are likely to travel overnight for a family trip in the next four months—up from 51% in January—36% of whom said they would likely stay in a hotel.
- 42% said they are likely to travel overnight for a romantic getaway in the next four months, 56% of whom said they would likely stay in a hotel.
- 31% said they are likely to travel overnight for Memorial Day, 35% of whom said they would likely stay in a hotel.
- 32% of those surveyed ranked high-speed WiFi as the top technological amenity they consider when evaluating 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 Kevin Carey, AHLA interim president/CEO. “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.”
