US Vacation Activities Consumer Report 2024
Just as many vacationers take a DIY approach to vacation planning, they take a similar tact when it comes to vacation activities.
Just as many vacationers take a DIY approach to vacation planning, they take a similar tact when it comes to vacation activities.
Exploring tourism and travel activities consumers enjoy as part of their vacation, this report provides the necessary foundations for a robust, data-backed insight strategy.
Just as many vacationers take a DIY approach to vacation planning, they take a similar tact when it comes to vacation activities. That is to say, 43% of vacationers would rather do a self-guided tour of a destination, rather than pay for a professionally guided one (23%). This is surprising, considering pro guidance can bring more value to a tour. This may be a factor of heightened travel prices, which can cause travelers to cut costs on activities. Indeed, a softening of domestic travel may be underway, which can further increase the competition for vacation activities.
This may concern providers, as both the importance of word of mouth marketing and the prevalence of OTAs in activity booking make it hard for any one activity provider to stand out, particularly smaller ones. But “hard” doesn’t mean “impossible,” and providers can indeed stand out. Evergreen demands for locally-focused and authentic activities remain, and joining them is emerging interest in tour providers that give back to the local area, as well as in subcategories like indigenous sites and cultures. Moreover, companies are addressing interest in AI-supported activities in responsible ways; all of which can help drive tourists to a certain provider.
Travel agencies: commissions from airline seats (domestic and international destinations), lodging, cruise, event tickets, computerized reservation systems, package tours, other reservation systems, trip planning, automobile clubs and road and travel services, other travel arrangements services revenue and all other operating revenue.
Tour operators: revenue, pre-packaged tours (domestic and international travel), customized group tours (domestic and international travel) and all other operating revenue.
This report was written by Mike Gallinari. Mike joined Mintel in 2018 as a Travel & Leisure Analyst. Mike writes primarily about consumers’ travel preferences, building on his professional background at Groupon Getaways and Travelzoo, as well as his personal passion for travel.
A saturated vacation activities market and reluctance to spend extra while vacationing make it hard for providers to stand out, but emerging trends can be a guide.
Mike Gallinari
Senior Travel & Leisure Analyst