07/26/2024: Ohio's Travel Industry and Current Travel Research

INTENT TO TRAVEL REMAINS STRONG, HOWEVER; POLITICAL REPUTATIONS AND A DESTINATION'S PERCEPTION AS BEING WELCOMING MAY IMPACT TRAVEL PLANS

Key findings from Longwoods International fielded July 10, 2024:

37% of American travelers report that the political reputation of potential destinations is a factor in their travel selections. It may not be the predominant factor in their ultimate destination choice, but it is there. In fact, 14% of travelers tell us that they avoid some destinations because of their political reputations/policies. This is significant and poses a challenge to destination marketers as it is an image factor they cannot control.
While 72% of American travelers indicate that they have not changed their travel plans over the past year due to a city/state’s political reputation, the other 28% report ways in which they have altered their travel plans as a result including:
- Postponing travel (10%)
- Changing the destination to avoid a specific city or state (9%)
- Altering their itinerary to avoid certain areas (7%)
- Canceling their trip (6%).
32% of travelers say that a destination’s reputation for being welcoming and inclusive to diverse groups impacts their decision to travel to specific destinations, with 14% saying it greatly impacts their destination selection.
Despite ongoing economic concerns, demand for travel through the summer and into fall remains at near record post-pandemic levels with 92% of American travelers saying they have plans to go somewhere in the next six months.