A new study finds that travelers will be taking fewer leisure trips and staying closer to home, according to findings of Destination Analysts’ bi-annual State of the American Traveler.
“With more than half of travelers saying they will actively look for travel bargains and discounts and another third saying they will visit less expensive destinations, affordability is certain to be top-of-mind. In this climate, destinations, hotels, and others that market to leisure travelers must provide compelling offers that promise and deliver value,†said Erin Francis, managing partner of Destination Analysts.
The survey of 1,000 American leisure travelers shows that almost half expect to reduce the number of leisure trips they will take in the coming year in direct response to the overall economic climate.
General travel spending expectations are also depressed, with almost one-third saying they will spend less for leisure in the next 12 months, a figure that has more than doubled from just six months prior.
The average number of trips the typical American has taken in the past 12 months has already fallen 7.3% to 5.1%.
The top impediments to travel continue to be high gasoline prices, personal financial reasons and expensive airfare.
Destination Analysts is a San Francisco-based market research company specializing in the travel, tourism and lifestyle industries.
Report by David Wilkening
