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Poll: Americans eyeing overnight trips

Hotels remain the top choice for travelers

AHLA survey shows half of U.S. adults plan overnight leisure and business trips in 2025, with hotels topping traveler preferences.

More than half of U.S. adults plan overnight leisure or business travel before year-end, according to an American Hotel & Lodging Association survey.

Summary:

  • Many U.S. adults plan overnight leisure and business trips this year, according to AHLA.
  • Hotels top the list for 44 percent of leisure travelers and 63 percent of business travelers.
  • Four in five guests plan to stay at midscale or higher properties.

HALF OF U.S. adults plan to travel overnight for leisure before year-end, according to an American Hotel & Lodging Association survey. Nearly one-third of employed adults, 31 percent, expect to travel overnight for business.


The AHLA survey, conducted by Morning Consult, found hotels are the top choice for 44 percent of leisure travelers and 63 percent of business travelers, with nearly four in five guests planning to stay at midscale or higher properties.

Americans are most likely to take an overnight family trip, at 46 percent, with 34 percent traveling for Thanksgiving and 37 percent for Christmas, the report said. Travelers on romantic getaways and solo trips are more likely to choose hotels, while those visiting family for the holidays tend to stay with relatives.

However, travel intention has declined slightly from last fall and winter, with 45 percent citing rising costs as the main reason for scaling back plans, the poll found. About half say inflation could reduce their likelihood of overnight travel, yet 46 percent still plan an overnight family trip in the next four months despite financial concerns.

"These findings reinforce what we know: Americans want to travel and they overwhelmingly trust and depend on hotels when they do,” said Rosanna Maietta, AHLA president and CEO. “Despite this positive sentiment, rising costs and economic uncertainty are having a lingering effect on travel plans. That’s why AHLA advocates daily across all levels of government for policies that strengthen the hotel industry, its workforce and consumer confidence.”

The poll was conducted Sept. 6 to 8 among a sample of 2,202 adults.

A recent Hyatt Inclusive Collection survey found most Americans define quality time as moments with loved ones, yet 82 percent say they don’t get enough.

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WTTC: U.S. tops travel sector with $2.6T GDP

Summary:

  • The U.S. led global travel and tourism in 2024 with $2.6 trillion in GDP, WTTC reported.
  • India retained ninth place with $249.3 billion in GDP.
  • The sector supported 357 million jobs in 2024, rising to 371 million in 2025.

THE U.S. LED global travel and tourism in 2024, contributing $2.6 trillion to GDP, mainly from domestic demand, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council. Europe accounted for five of the top 10 destinations, while India ranked 9th.

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