As 2016 quickly approaches, Choice Hotels International unveiled its top 10 most interesting trends and expectations for U.S. travelers in the new year, as determined by a nationwide survey.
"The travel industry continues to evolve on a daily basis,” said Patrick Pacious, executive vice president, and COO at Choice Hotels. “From the blending of business and leisure travel to the growing consumer demand for stronger loyalty programs, it's important that we keep a pulse check on travelers.”
The 2016 Travel Trend Outlook
- Price Check, Please: 40% of travelers decided to defer a trip in 2015 due to airfare being way too high.
- Close, But No Cigar: If the travel embargo to Cuba would be lifted, 52% of Americans say they would consider visiting Cuba.
- Where's Your Loyalty? 33% of travelers are not members of a travel loyalty or rewards program, yet 42% check for loyalty program special promotions when booking a hotel stay.
- The Price We'd Pay: When asked what they would give up for a free night stay at a hotel, travelers quipped everything from their first born child to chocolate to "anything" as what they'd be willing to sacrifice.
- Work Hard, Play Hard: 31% of travelers say that they have plans of booking a 'bleisure' trip, meaning adding a leisure trip onto the beginning or end of a business trip, in 2016.
- Let's Set This Straight: Men are 112% more likely to want their hotel room equipped with an iron/ironing board than women.
- It's All About the Amenities: Free Wi-Fi (60%) followed by cable TV (52%) and complimentary toiletries (28%) were the three amenities Americans can't live without in a hotel room.
- So Much Work and So Little Time: 36% of Americans typically do not use all of their paid vacation time.
- Show Me the Money: 65% of travelers say that they would prefer an end of the year bonus instead of additional paid vacation time.
- Time to Disconnect: While 8% of Americans say that they wouldn't last more than a day without technology, 38% say that they would absolutely love to take a vacation that is totally technology-free.
The Choice Hotels 2016 Travel Forecast was conducted by Newlio among a nationally representative sample of 1,071 U.S. adults over the age of 18 that have taken one or more overnight trips in the past 12 months and who are also planning on taking one or more overnight trips in the next 12 months.
Respondents were equally segmented above/below 40 years of age with an even male/female split.
