Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Surveys: Fewer Americans traveling for holidays

Like Thanksgiving, fears of COVID-19 and the restrictions enacted against it are dampening travel plans

THE OLD SONG “Home for the holidays” has a new meaning this year as most Americans are expected to stay home, not travel to other destinations, according to AAA Travel’s forecast and a survey from the American Hotel & Lodging Association. Those who do travel are, once again, expected to travel by car and are urged to be aware of new restrictions imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

AAA forecasts that 84.5 million Americans will travel from Dec. 23 through Jan. 3, about 34 million fewer than last year, a 29 percent decline. Road trips are expected to make up for 96 percent of holiday travel with up to 81 million Americans will travel by car, a 25 percent compared to last year. Concerns over COVID-19 are expected to lead some travelers who usually travel by bus, train or airplane to opt for driving instead. The fact that gas prices are about 19 percent below 2019 averages may also contribute to this decision.


Another 2.9 million are expected to travel by air during the holiday period, a 60 percent decline from 2019. Finally, up to 480,000 Americans are expected to travel by other modes, such as bus and train, a decline of 87 percent.

The low numbers come on the heels of an also subdued Thanksgiving travel holiday.

“While Thanksgiving is traditionally spent gathering with friends and family, the year-end holidays are when Americans often venture out for longer, more elaborate vacations. That will not be the case this year,” said Paula Twidale, AAA’s senior vice president. “Public health concerns, official guidance not to travel, and an overall decline in consumer sentiment have encouraged the vast majority of Americans to stay home for the holidays.”

Even the low prices for gas and airline tickets are not encouraging travel as they usually would, said Jeanette Casselano McGee, AAA spokesperson.

“The lower prices and less traffic aren’t driving decisions to hit the road. Americans are looking to the public health landscape, including COVID-19 case numbers, to make their travel decisions,” Casselano said.

AHLA’s survey of 2,200 adults conducted Nov. 2 to 4 by Morning Consult, found that 69 percent of Americans will not travel for the holidays in response to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations against travel over the holiday season and new stay-at-home orders enacted in several states.

“We understand the importance of following CDC guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and support the government’s actions. However, with the dramatic decline in travel, hotels will face a harsh winter through no fault of our own,” said Chip Rogers, AHLA’s president and CEO.

Rogers said the situation demands that Congress members defer their own vacations until an agreement is reached on the next round of federal stimulus. His position is shared by AAHOA as well.

“The hotel industry needs aid to survive until travel demand returns. Given this current environment, Congress cannot nor should not contemplate recess until a relief bill is passed now,” Rogers said. “Millions of Americans are out of work, and thousands of small businesses are struggling to keep their doors open. We cannot afford to wait until the next Congress is sworn in for relief. We need help now.”

Other key findings of the survey include:

  • 74 percent of those traveling overnight for Christmas report they will stay with a family or friend.
  • 32 percent have taken an overnight vacation or leisure trip since March.
  • 24 percent are likely to travel for spring break.
  • 44 percent say their next hotel stay for vacation or leisure travel will be a year or more from now or they have no plans to stay in a hotel.
  • Only 8 percent of Americans say they have taken an overnight business trip since March and 8 percent of all adults expect to travel for business within the next six months.
  • 62 percent of employed Americans have no plans to stay in a hotel for business.

More for you

Asian Hospitality unveils inaugural ‘Women of Color Power List’

Asian Hospitality unveils inaugural ‘Women of Color Power List’

Women of Color Power List 2025 Debuts at AAHOACON 2025

ASIAN MEDIA GROUP USA, publisher of Asian Hospitality magazine, launched the first-ever “Women of Color Power List 2025” at the 2025 AAHOA Convention & Trade Show in New Orleans, honoring 51 women reshaping the U.S. hospitality industry. The publication is the first to spotlight the achievements of women of color, recognizing their resilience, innovation, and leadership.

Asian Media Group Managing Editor Kalpesh Solanki, Executive Editor Shailesh Solanki, and Chief Operating Officer Aditya Solanki announced the list during the conference.

Keep ReadingShow less
AAHOALending.com લોન્ચ 2025

AAHOA, બ્રિજ AAHOALending.com લોન્ચ કરે છે

AAHOA અને બ્રિજે AAHOALending.com ને AAHOACON 2025 માં રજૂ કર્યું

AAHOA અને બ્રિજે AAHOALending.com લોન્ચ કર્યું, જે હોસ્પિટાલિટી પર કેન્દ્રિત ડિજિટલ ધિરાણ પ્લેટફોર્મ છે. તે AAHOA સભ્યોને 150 થી વધુ ધિરાણકર્તાઓની ઍક્સેસ પ્રદાન કરે છે, જેમાં વધુને વધુ લોકોને નિયમિતપણે ઉમેરવાની યોજના છે, આ પ્લેટફોર્મ વપરાશકર્તાઓને ધિરાણ વિકલ્પોની તુલના કરવાની, શ્રેષ્ઠ દરો અને સુરક્ષિત ભંડોળ શોધવાની મંજૂરી આપે છે.

કોફાઉન્ડર અને CEO રોહિત માથુરની આગેવાની હેઠળના બ્રિજને ક્લબ બ્લુ ઇન્ડસ્ટ્રી પાર્ટનર તરીકે નિયુક્ત કરવામાં આવ્યા છે, જે AAHOAના પ્રોગ્રામમાં સર્વોચ્ચ સ્તર છે, તેના 300 ભાગીદારોમાંથી માત્ર 12 જ લાયકાત ધરાવે છે, એમ બંનેએ સંયુક્ત નિવેદનમાં જણાવ્યું હતું.

Keep ReadingShow less
2025માં મંદીની સંભાવના 50 ટકા : HAMA સર્વે

2025માં મંદીની સંભાવના 50 ટકા : HAMA સર્વે

HAMA 2025 સર્વે: 49% મેનેજર્સ મંદીની આશંકા ધરાવે છે

હોસ્પિટાલિટી એસેટ મેનેજર્સ એસોસિએશનના સ્પ્રિંગ 2025 ઇન્ડસ્ટ્રી આઉટલુક સર્વેક્ષણમાં અંદાજે 49 ટકા ઉત્તરદાતાઓ 2025 માં અમેરિકામાં મંદીની અપેક્ષા રાખે છે, જે 2024ના પાનખર સર્વેક્ષણમાં 19 ટકાથી વધુ છે. ટોચની ત્રણ ચિંતાઓ માંગ, ટેરિફ અને DOGE કટ અને વેતનમાં વધારો વચ્ચેનો જોડાણ છે.

HAMA સર્વેક્ષણમાં જાણવા મળ્યું છે કે લગભગ 55 ટકા ઉત્તરદાતાઓએ તેમની વર્તમાન વ્યૂહરચનાના ભાગ રૂપે બ્રાન્ડ અથવા મેનેજમેન્ટ ફેરફારો કર્યા છે અથવા કરવાની યોજના બનાવી છે.

Keep ReadingShow less
AAHOA Bridge AAHOALending 2025

AAHOA, Bridge launch AAHOALending.com

AAHOA and Bridge Unveil AAHOALending.com at AAHOACON 2025

AAHOA AND BRIDGE launched AAHOALending.com, a digital lending platform focused on hospitality. It offers AAHOA members access to more than 150 lenders, with plans to add more regularly, while allowing users to compare financing options, find the best rates and secure funding.

Bridge, led by Cofounder and CEO Rohit Mathur, has been named a Club Blue Industry Partner, the highest level in AAHOA’s program, with only 12 of its 300 partners qualifying, the duo said in a joint statement.

Keep ReadingShow less