The US travel booking market continues to challenge expectations, as consumer preferences evolve and shift to meet market trends. Below, we’ve provided the market definition, core topics analyzed, and hand-selected findings from the full report.
Market Definition
For the purposes of this Report, Mintel defines the travel booking market as revenues of travel agents and travel reservation services, including travel agencies, tour operators, convention and visitors’ bureaus and other travel arrangements/reservation services.
Core Topics Analyzed
- US travel booking market size and forecasted industry growth.
- How booking lead times have shifted as we move on from the pandemic.
- Devices, platforms, and methods used to book most recent leisure travel.
- Consumers’ desired features for a booking platform.
- Revenue and online ad spending of major online travel agencies (OTAs).
US Travel Booking Market Overview
The market is on an upward trajectory, with a focus on mobile booking, reward programs, and seamless booking experiences. Online travel agencies (OTAs) are investing heavily in marketing to stay competitive, and the industry is expected to continue growing in the coming years.
Travel Booking Trends
Travelers are returning to the habit of booking with shorter notice, favoring brands that can provide relevant information and execute bookings seamlessly. The demand for mobile booking is high, with almost two-thirds of bookers using mobile devices for their most recent leisure trip reservations in the last year, and 38% using a travel app. Additionally, over three-quarters of bookers are attracted to platforms that offer reward points, flexible calendars, and travel itineraries.
Buy the full report for a complete review of the travel booking market and consumer. You may also browse our travel market research.
Expert Analysis
Leading travel analyst Mike Gallinari delivers expert industry insights with this in-depth report.
Travelers are back to booking trips closer to vacation time. Booking platforms must provide the most convenient, personalized and seamless experience that they can.
Mike Gallinari
Senior Travel & Leisure Analyst
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- Key issues covered in this Report
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Executive Summary
- Opportunities
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Market Dynamics
- Market context
- Market drivers
- Graph 1: Consumer Price Index change from previous period, 2019-24
- Market size and forecast
- Market share and ad spending
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Consumer Insights
- Consumer fast facts
- Number and length of trips
- Graph 2: number of nights of last leisure trip, 2019-24
- Graph 3: number of nights of last leisure trip, by HHI, 2024
- Graph 4: number of nights of last leisure trip, by work location, 2024
- Booking lead times
- Graph 5: booking lead times within one month, by travel vertical, 2022-24
- Graph 6: booking lead times within one month, transportation and accommodation, by generation, 2022-24
- Graph 7: booking lead times within one month, transportation and accommodation, by HHI, 2022-24
- Graph 8: booking preference – booking sessions, by generation and by parental status, 2024
- Booking platforms
- Graph 9: platforms and devices used to book most recent trip – including NETs, 2019-24
- Graph 10: device used to book most recent trip – NETs, 2019-24
- Graph 11: platform and method used to book most recent trip – NETs, 2019-24
- Graph 12: booking preference – multiple vs single platforms, by gender, 2024
- Graph 13: platforms and devices used to book most recent trip – NETs, by generation, 2024
- Graph 14: platform and method used to book most recent trip – NETs and credit card portal, by membership status and Millennials, 2024
- Graph 15: device and method used to book most recent trip – NETs, by race and Hispanic origin, 2024
- Graph 16: travel agent used to book most recent trip and interest in using a travel agent, by generation, 2024
- Desired booking platform features
- Graph 17: desired booking platform features, 2024
- Graph 18: desired booking platform features – suggestions for sustainable travel options, by generation, 2024
- Graph 19: desired booking platform features – flexible booking calendar and itinerary suggestions, by number of trips booked, 2024
- Graph 20: desired booking platform features – suggestions, by race and Hispanic origin, 2024
- Graph 21: attitudes toward research and booking, by race and Hispanic origin, 2024
- In-person booking
- Graph 22: motivations for visiting a brick-and-mortar travel agency, 2024
- Graph 23: motivations for visiting a brick-and-mortar travel agency, by generation, 2024
- Graph 24: motivations for visiting a brick-and-mortar travel agency, by age and HHI, 2024
- Graph 25: booking preferences – research and responsibility, 2024
- Graph 26: motivations for visiting a brick-and-mortar travel agency, by race and Hispanic origin, 2024
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Innovation and Marketing Trends
- Launch activity and innovation
- Marketing and advertising
- Graph 27: OTA share of spend and impressions, 2023-24
- Graph 28: Expedia share of spending and impressions, by platform, 2023-24
- Graph 29: Booking Holdings share of spending and impressions, by platform, 2023-24
- Graph 30: Tripadvisor share of spending and impressions, by platform, 2023-24
- Trends and opportunities
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Appendix
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