WASHINGTON–Credit unions in the process of rolling out holiday-related loan and card marketing efforts might want to target those a little closer to home.
According to a new poll conducted by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and Morning Consult, most Americans say they are still opting to stay home this holiday season even with vaccination rates continuing to increase.
The survey found that 29% of Americans are likely to travel for Thanksgiving and 33% are likely to travel for Christmas—an increase from 21% and 24%, respectively, compared to 2020. Those who do plan to travel over the holidays expect to drive, but rising gas prices may dampen those plans.
The survey of 2,200 adults was conducted Oct. 30-Nov. 1, 2021.
Key Findings
Among the key findings include the following:
- Just one in three Americans plans to travel for Christmas (33% likely to travel, 59% unlikely), and even fewer plan to travel for Thanksgiving (29% likely, 61% unlikely)
- 68% of Thanksgiving travelers plan to stay with family or friends, while 22% plan to stay in a hotel
- 66% of Christmas travelers plan to stay with family or friends, while 23% plan to stay in a hotel
- 52% of Americans say they plan to take fewer trips and 53% plan to take shorter trips due to rising gas prices
- Leisure travelers are making several adjustments to their travel plans based on the current state of the pandemic, including only traveling within driving distance (58%), taking fewer trips (48%), and taking shorter trips (46%)
- Among parents with children under the age of 12, 41% say the availability of vaccines for kids ages 5-11 will make them more likely to travel
- 68% of Thanksgiving travelers and 64% of Christmas travelers plan to drive, compared to 11% and 14%, respectively, who plan to fly