Holidays Look Happy For Travel

In its latest tracking study of American travellers, Longwoods International reports that 92% of those travellers have travel plans in the next six months, tied for the highest levels seen since the beginning of the pandemic.

Seventy percent plan to visit friends and family on their holiday trips, while 60% of those with holiday travel plans will be shopping, and 47% plan to enjoy holiday lighting displays.

Amir Eylon, President and CEO of Longwoods International, said: “It’s encouraging to see such strong demand for travel during the important holiday season.”

Eylon continued: “The negative impact of both COVID-19 and gas prices have declined significantly, and travellers are ready to enjoy the holidays with friends and family around the country.”

Interest in visiting museums, galleries and other cultural institutions during holiday trips increased from 21% of travellers last year to 27% in 2022. And more holiday travellers plan to attend fairs, festivals and live performances than in 2021.

Other takeaways from Longwoods International’s tracking study:

• Despite decades-high inflation, rising gas prices, and a feared resurgence of pandemic variants, etc…  intent to travel is still unwavering as 92% of American travellers indicate plans to travel in the next six months.
• In its latest look at Holiday Season travel activities, it found that seven out of ten travellers with plans to travel this holiday season will be visiting friends and relatives!  60% indicate shopping trips… and the biggest areas of growth year over year are visiting museums at 27% (up 6 points from 2021), attend a festival/fair at 25% (up 7 points), and attend a live performance at 21% (up 5 points).  Holiday travel is returning more to patterns seen pre-pandemic.
• 23% of American travellers continue to indicate that gas prices will greatly impact their decision to travel in the next six months (unchanged from last month).
• That being said, those saying gas prices are causing them to reduce the number of trips they plan to take in the next six months is rising 32% (up five points in the past month).
• 57% of American travellers say they have no plans to work remotely away from home in the next 12 to 24 months (down 3 points from this past summer).
• Despite all the news of new sub-variant surges and risks, a survey-low 14% indicate that fear of COVID-19 will greatly impact their decision to travel in the next six months, BUT 39% STILL say they are altering their plans in some form or fashion due to the virus.

Go to https://longwoods-intl.com/covid-19 for more.