Survey: Fewer Americans planning vacations
Most of us are skipping the usual vacation this year. An online survey of 22,000 people released in June by the American Hotel & Lodging Association found only 44 percent of Americans are planning leisure travel in 2020, even for just one night.
That’s about 32 percent fewer travelers than the average year pre-COVID, when 70 percent typically take some kind of vacation by land, sea, or air.
Among the 44 percent planning one or more trips in 2020, most (72 percent) plan to hit the road this summer. Encouraging news to hoteliers, 68 percent of the expectant summer travelers say they’ll stay in a hotel.
Other key findings from the AHLA 2020 travel survey:
• Accommodation: 43 percent plan to stay with family or friends, 39 percent in a hotel, and 9 percent at a short-term rental such as Airbnb or VRBO. Five percent have a camper or RV.
• Type of travel: Within the next five months 81 percent plan a day trip, and 72 percent plan an overnight road trip. Less popular are cruises at 14 percent; camper/RV trips (28 percent), and planes (32 percent).
• Distance: Among road trippers, 75 percent will drive two or more hours away, with 35 percent driving two to four hours, and 40 percent driving more than four hours.
• How long: 78 percent plan trips of four nights or less.
• Reason for travel: 55 percent say they’ll travel for a family event, such as a wedding, birthday, anniversary, or reunion. Fifty percent plan winter holiday travel, 43 percent for Thanksgiving, and 30 percent for Labor Day.
“If you are thinking about traveling in 2020, my message to you is that hotels are clean and safe places, and we are ready to welcome you,” Chip Rogers, president and CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, said in a June 30 statement. Hotels nationwide have recently enhanced, rigorous cleaning protocols.
Survey respondents were also asked their comfort level with different types of accommodations. Would-be travelers expressed more confidence in hotels, and less in cruises and short-term rentals.
Since hotel occupancy nationwide dropped to just 24.5 percent among open hotels in April (the lowest for any month on record in the U.S.), bookings have continued to inch upward. On June 20 occupancy had reached 43.9 percent nationwide — better but still well below the 74.5 percent occupancy rate in June 2019.
AHLA is urging Congress to pass a temporary tax incentive to encourage domestic travel, boost local tourist economies such as North Idaho’s, and aid hospitality, restaurant, and retail worker employment.
Side note: For those who plan travel to second or vacation homes, don’t be surprised if you see a second Census questionnaire in the mailbox.
Do you fill it out? Absolutely, says the U.S. Census. A separate 2020 Census form is required for each and every house owned, including seasonal residences.
If that’s confusing, instructions on a cabin, vacation rental property, or any other home where someone does not live and sleep most of the time are:
1. Visit My2020census.gov.
2. Enter the Census ID or address for the secondary property (ID in the information packet mailed by the Census).
3. Enter “0” for the number of people living at this property.
4. Hit Next … the survey will not advance, but it will show a second prompt. Hit Next again to advance.
5. Select “No” when asked a confirmation question about how many people live there.
6. Select primary reason — seasonal (most likely), and it’s done.
7. If you don’t have online access, call 844-330-2020 or mail the paper questionnaire.
For more information on the Census 2020Census.gov. For more information on the AHLA survey, see AHLA.com
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Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network who misses unfettered travel. Commiserate at Sholeh@cdapress.com.