The travel industry in the United States is showing signs of recovery, as indicated by a recent survey by MMGY’s Travel Intelligence. The survey reveals that 80% of active leisure travelers in the U.S. are planning to take an international trip within the next two years, suggesting a potential growth period for international travel. This optimistic outlook is despite or perhaps because of ongoing world events and financial burdens, according to Chris Davidson, executive vice president of Travel Intelligence.
The survey also indicates an increase in travel spending intentions, with travelers across most household income levels planning to spend more compared to last year. This increase is particularly notable among Baby Boomers and households earning $100,000 or more annually.
In addition to international travel, there has been a significant rise in road trips, with 64% of travelers reporting they took a road trip in the last 12 months, nearly double the 33% reported in 2015. Younger generations and families with children are most likely to plan road trips in the coming year.
Domestically, Hawaii, Florida, Colorado, and California remain the top destinations of interest for leisure travelers. Florida, Colorado, and California have shown statistically significant increases in interest year over year.
The survey also touched on cannabis tourism, with more than a third of travelers expressing interest in cannabis-related activities during their vacations. Half of these interested travelers would consider visiting a cannabis shop, and a quarter of them are not regular cannabis users but are open to such experiences while traveling.
However, generational differences in travel intentions were noted, with Gen Z showing a steady decline, possibly due to increased inflation and trip costs affecting younger travelers with less discretionary income. This article was generated by AI and has been fact-checked and reviewed by a TravelAge West editor.
