Americans are itching to hit the road again, a new travel study says.
Destination Analysts surveyed American travelers and found that 87.6% have current trip plans. Eighty one per cent of American travelers report strong excitement for their travel this year and 86.2% are in a ready-to-travel state-of-mind.
The survey also found that a record high 57.9% feel things are closer to normal in the U.S. Americans’ perceived impact of COVID on their ability to have meaningful travel experiences is at a record low (35.9%).
Another bit of good news is that avoidance of conventions and conferences reached a record low (40.9%).
UKRAINE IMPACT
Even with the heartbreaking war in Ukraine, Americans’ current propensity to seek new travel experiences has kept up interest in international travel, while aspiration for Europe has not been disrupted.
- Americans saying they are avoiding international travel is down to a record low 52.0%
- Nearly 30 percent of American travelers say they are likely to travel internationally this year. In fact, 28.0% of American travelers say they are more interested in traveling outside the United States right now than domestically—up 3 points in the last month.
- Europe still makes up 7 of the 10 foreign destinations that Americans name as where they most want to visit this year, and Europe remains the top region Americans say they are likely to visit in the next 3 years.
FINANCIAL ISSUES FOR TRAVEL
Inflation and gas prices are an issue for trip volume, but Americans still plan to spend on travel.
- 24.7% said that recent inflation in consumer prices has led them to cancel an upcoming trip.
- 55.8% agree that recent inflation in consumer prices will likely cause them to rethink the budgets for upcoming travel.
- 55.8% say that if gasoline prices don’t come down, they will be taking fewer road trips this spring/summer.
- 59.8% agree that if gasoline prices don’t come down, they will be staying closer to home on road trips this spring/summer.
- 61.3% still say travel is a high budget priority for them.
- 40% still say luxury travel experiences are an important part of their trips.
