Skip to content

Search

Latest Stories

AAA survey finds Americans willing to travel in fall

At the same time, they remain uncertain about whether they will actually be able to go

AMERICANS ARE PLANNING to travel this fall, but they remain cautious about whether they will be able to realize those plans, according to a recent AAA Travel survey. For that reason, many are keeping their plans loose and waiting until the last minute to book reservations.

The AAA survey found 67 percent of U.S. adults planning a vacation before the end of the year report some degree of uncertainty they will actually be able to take their vacation. However, one in five expect to book within one week of traveling.


In another finding, 80 percent of travelers are planning road trips, indicating that that mode of travel remains popular as it was over the summer. And, also repeating a summer pattern, most will head toward destinations with outdoor attractions that allow for social distancing.

“As many Americas continue to work from home and attend school virtually, this temporary lifestyle change opens up new and exciting possibilities for fall travel – particularly for those who deferred summer travel plans,” said Paula Twidale, AAA Travel senior vice president. “For those who choose to travel, the great American road trip continues to be the preferred method of getting out and exploring the United States. AAA advises these travelers to plan ahead and take precautions to be a responsible traveler.”

That trend toward drive-to destinations could be fueled by declines in gas prices. Nationally those prices are nearly 50 cents cheaper than the same time last year and are the cheapest fall prices since 2016.

The top 10 road trip destinations, according to the survey, are as follows:

  1. Denver
  2. Las Vegas
  3. Los Angeles
  4. San Diego
  5. Seattle
  6. Keystone, South Dakota
  7. Portland, Oregon
  8. Phoenix
  9. Colorado Springs, Colorado
  10. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

“Trips that allow people to take advantage of the great outdoors are particularly appealing this fall,” Twidale said. “From hiking and exploring state and national parks, to visiting beaches and outdoor gardens, all of these top road trip destinations feature activities that allow families to enjoy America’s backyard within their individual comfort levels.”

AAA recommends travelers check with state and local authorities along their route and at their planned destination to learn about local circumstances and any restrictions that may be in place. Additional tips include being sure to pack face masks, disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer and a thermometer to help protect and monitor your health. Also, before staying at a hotel, call ahead to ensure the hotel is open and taking precautions to protect guests.

In September, Tripadvisor made similar predictions about the fall travel season.

More for you

AHLA Foundation expands hospitality education

AHLA Foundation expands hospitality education

Summary:

  • AHLA Foundation is partnering with ICHRIE and ACPHA to support hospitality education.
  • The collaborations align academic programs with industry workforce needs.
  • It will provide data, faculty development, and student engagement opportunities.

THE AHLA FOUNDATION, International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education and the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration work to expand education opportunities for students pursuing hospitality careers. The alliances aim to provide data, faculty development and student engagement opportunities.

Keep ReadingShow less
U.S. holiday travel 2025 trends

Report: U.S. consumers’ holiday travel intent dips

Summary:

  • U.S. holiday travel is down to 44 percent, led by Millennials and Gen Z.
  • Younger consumers are cost-conscious while older generations show steadier travel intent.
  • 76 percent of Millennials are likely to use AI for travel recommendations.

NEARLY 44 PERCENT of U.S. consumers plan to travel during the 2025 holiday season, down from 46 percent last year, according to PwC. Millennials and Gen Z lead travel intent at 55 percent each, while Gen X sits at 39 percent and Baby Boomers at 26 percent.

Keep ReadingShow less
Report: Global RevPAR to rise 3–5 percent in 2025

Report: Global RevPAR to rise 3–5 percent in 2025

Summary:

  • Global hotel RevPAR is projected to grow 3 to 5 percent in 2025, JLL reports.
  • Hotel RevPAR rose 4 percent in 2024, with demand at 4.8 billion room nights.
  • London, New York and Tokyo are expected to lead investor interest in 2025.

GLOBAL HOTEL REVPAR is projected to grow 3 to 5 percent in 2025, with investment volume up 15 to 25 percent, driven by loan maturities, deferred capital spending and private equity fund expirations, according to JLL. Leisure travel is expected to decline as consumer savings tighten, while group, corporate and international travel increase, supporting RevPAR growth.

Keep ReadingShow less
Hotel data challenges report highlighting AI and automation opportunities in hospitality

Survey: Data gaps hinder hotel growth

Summary:

  • Fragmented systems, poor integration limit hotels’ data access, according to a survey.
  • Most hotel professionals use data daily but struggle to access it for revenue and operations.
  • AI and automation could provide dynamic pricing, personalization and efficiency.

FRAGMENTED SYSTEMS, INACCURATE information and limited integration remain barriers to hotels seeking better data access to improve guest experiences and revenue, according to a newly released survey. Although most hotel professionals use data daily, the survey found 49 percent struggle to access what they need for revenue and operational decisions.

Keep ReadingShow less
Hyatt Way partnership

Hyatt taps Way for unified guest platform

Summary:

  • Hyatt partners with Way to unify guest experiences on one platform.
  • Members can earn and redeem points on experiences booked through Hyatt websites.
  • Way’s technology supports translation, payments and data insights for Hyatt.

HYATT HOTELS CORP. is working with Austin-based startup Way to consolidate ancillary services, loyalty experiences and on-property programming on one platform across its global portfolio. The collaboration integrates Way’s system into Hyatt.com, the World of Hyatt app, property websites and FIND Experiences to create a centralized booking platform.

Keep ReadingShow less