ROCKVILLE, Maryland—Choice Hotels International, Inc., released its first Choice Privileges State of the American Traveler Survey, a poll of more than 2,000 U.S. adults that sheds light on travel plans and priorities this summer and beyond. This survey, conducted in partnership with Harris Poll, comes as nine new brands with nearly 600 hotels are now available to be booked on Choice’s website.
“Our new Choice Privileges State of the American Traveler Survey details how people are planning to travel this summer, fall, and beyond,” said Noha Abdalla, chief marketing officer, Choice Hotels International.
Most U.S. travelers want to spend less than $200/night on lodging:
- The majority (78 percent) typically look to spend less than $200/night on lodging  
- Most (73 percent) prefer to splurge on experiences and limit costs on lodging 
- With sports, music, and theater getting back in full swing post-pandemic, 26 percent of U.S. travelers say they plan their trips around these specific experiences
More than 1 in 4 (27 percent) splurge on lodging and limit costs of experiences, with 21 percent willing to spend $200 or more/night on lodging.
Loyalty programs are tools for people to save money while traveling:
- Forty-one percent of U.S. travelers said they plan to use hotel/loyalty program points to save money this summer, and 30 percent book using a loyalty member rate
- When taking a road trip, nearly a third of U.S. travelers (29 percent) said they would pay for their road trip using loyalty points
More than a third of respondents (38%) report they travel to feel more connected to and explore the country:
- Sixty-five percent said three or more destinations make for an ideal road trip  
- Most U.S. travelers (67 percent) want to see tourist attractions when traveling  
- Many (57 percent) want to stay in a city or near a popular U.S. landmark when traveling 
- More than half (57 percent) of U.S. travelers listen to a personalized playlist while on the road, and 51 percent listen to the local radio
Many U.S. travelers (64 percent) said they are road-tripping this year because they want to make memories with family and friends
- More than half (60 percent) of U.S. travelers want to road trip with their spouse/partner/significant other
- 1 in 6 U.S. travelers (16 percent) would choose their pet over anyone else to travel with
- Nearly 1 in 10 (9 percent) prefer to be alone on their travels
- Four percent would choose their co-worker to travel with
- Two percent would choose a stranger
U.S. travelers continue to prioritize self-care while traveling:
- Forty-five percent want to stay at a property with a pool  
- Thirty-five percent say they want to enjoy a hotel spa 
- More than 1 in 5 U.S. travelers (23 percent) say visiting the hotel gym is a must while on vacation
- Thirty-eight percent say being able to hike close to where they are staying is a priority
U.S. travelers continue to blend work and play while traveling:
- Most survey respondents (76 percent) said when traveling for work they are likely to extend their trip to include leisure time
- Most of them (86 percent) will also stay at the same hotel
- More than half (58 percent) of survey respondents reported they’ve had to share a hotel room with a colleague on a work trip
