2022
9
US Vacation Plans and Priorities Consumer Report 2022
2022-02-02T03:08:21+00:00
REP0B0E0638_322D_4723_BCDD_A7A6CA55B576
4400
147643
[{"name":"Holidays and Vacations","url":"https:\/\/store.mintel.com\/industries\/travel\/holidays-vacations"}]
Report
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“In 2022, there will be fewer consumer-driven barriers to travel. That is to say, Americans really, really want to take vacations again, and their limitations on doing so mostly lie…
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  8. US Vacation Plans and Priorities Consumer Report 2022

US Vacation Plans and Priorities Consumer Report 2022

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This report provides comprehensive and current information and analysis of the US Vacation Plans and Priorities market including US Vacation Plans and Priorities market size, US vacation plans market research, anticipated market forecast, relevant market segmentation, and industry trends for the Vacation Plans and Priorities market in the US.

Current market landscape

81% of consumers plan to take at least one leisure trip in 2022, though 55% are still wary of the spread of COVID-19 and its variants.

The desire for normalcy is a strong motivator for 2022 travelers, making it important for brands to keep up their mitigation strategies.

Future market trends in US vacation plans and priorities

Certain travel segments, such as airlines, continue to have labor issues that can limit recovery; others, like the cruise industry, are threatened by the spread of COVID-19 itself.

Four consumer travel segments represent different travel habits, providing opportunities for many different types of travel providers and services. For instance, the largest of these segments, the Roused Returners, are very eager to travel, and family travel providers should pay attention to this group. Meanwhile, the Timely Travelers, though the smallest segment, is the most inclined toward luxury travel and can be encouraged to spend more in 2022 on vacations they’ve put off over the last year or two.

Read on to discover more about the US Vacation Plans and Priorities consumer market, read our US Airlines Market Report 2021, or take a look at our other Holidays and Travel market research reports.

Quickly understand the US vacation plans market

  • The impact of COVID-19 on consumer behavior and vacation plans in 2022.
  • What inspires and motivates vacationers.
  • What vacationers expect from travel brands in 2022.
  • How 2022 will be different than pre-pandemic vacation years.

Covered in this consumer travel plans market report

Brands include: MyVoiceTravel, Mint, JetBlue, Orbitz, Southwest, Google Flights, TikTok, Pinterest.

Expert analysis from a specialist in the field

This report, written by Mike Gallinari, a leading analyst in the Travel and Leisure sector, delivers in-depth commentary and analysis on the US consumer vacation plans market, to highlight current trends and add expert context to the numbers.

In 2022, there will be fewer consumer-driven barriers to travel. That is to say, Americans really, really want to take vacations again, and their limitations on doing so mostly lie in the areas of market factors and regulatory limitations. Travel providers can present themselves as allies to consumers by giving them a relaxing vacation experience that approximates the pre-pandemic norm as much as possible.
Mike Gallinari, Travel and Leisure Analyst
Mike Gallinari
Travel and Leisure Analyst

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  1. Overview

    • What you need to know
      • This Report looks at the following areas
        • Definition
          • Market context
            • COVID-19: US context
              • Economic and other assumptions
              • Executive Summary

                  • Top takeaways
                    • Market overview
                      • Figure 1: Total US sales and fan chart forecast of travel and tourism, at current prices, 2016-26
                    • Impact of COVID-19 on travel and tourism
                      • Figure 2: Short-, medium- and long-term impact of COVID-19 on travel and tourism, 2022-27
                    • Opportunities and challenges
                      • Worry about COVID-19 is expected to decline, overall
                        • Figure 3: Coronavirus exposure concern, 2020-22
                      • Consumers’ comfort with travel activities is variant-dependent
                        • Figure 4: Comfort with select activities, 2022
                      • Inflation puts a damper on discretionary spending, financial outlook
                        • Figure 5: Personal household financial assessment, 2020-21
                      • Not all consumers are comfortable yet
                        • Figure 6: Worry about exposure to COVID-19, by race and Hispanic origin, 2021
                      • Key consumer insights
                        • Vacationers come in all stripes
                          • Figure 7: Vacation planning consumer travel segments, 2021
                        • Vacations are a priority; nearly half of travelers intend to spend more in 2022
                          • Figure 8: Attitudes toward vacation budgeting, 2021
                        • Vacations are an escape
                          • Figure 9: Vacation motivation, 2021
                        • A desire for normality is a powerful driver
                          • Figure 10: Attitudes toward normalcy, 2021
                      • Market Size and Forecast

                          • Tourism will recover, but pace is questionable
                            • Figure 11: Total US sales and fan chart forecast of travel and tourism, at current prices, 2016-26
                            • Figure 12: Total US sales and forecast of travel and tourism, at current prices, 2016-26
                        • Segment Overview

                            • Airlines
                              • Figure 13: Total US sales and fan chart forecast of airlines, at current prices, 2016-26
                            • Hotels and hotel alternatives
                              • Figure 14: Total US sales and fan chart forecast of hotels & hotel alternatives, at current prices, 2016-26
                            • Cruises
                              • Figure 15: Total US passenger volume and fan chart forecast of US cruise passengers, 2016-26
                          • Market Factors

                            • Impact of COVID-19 on vacations in 2022
                              • Americans are pivoting from worry about COVID-19 to living with it
                                • Figure 16: Coronavirus exposure concern, 2020-22
                              • Consumers of color are slower to come around to comfort
                                • Figure 17: Worry about exposure to COVID-19, by race and Hispanic origin, 2021
                              • Comfort in travel activities slides with new variants
                                • Figure 18: Comfort with select activities, 2022
                              • Vaccines have facilitated travel
                                • Figure 19: US vaccination rates, by age group, January 2022
                              • Travel restrictions remain fluid and frustrating
                                • Economic factors can limit travel
                                  • Inflation is a huge issue for consumers
                                    • Figure 20: Personal household financial assessment, 2020-21
                                  • Hotel prices are rising
                                    • Figure 21: Occupancy and ADR for US hotels, 2021 vs 2019
                                • Consumer Trends in Travel

                                    • In Control
                                      • Klarna’s acquisition can disrupt travel booking and rewards
                                        • Speak, and ye shall fly
                                            • Figure 22: MyVoiceTravel, Instagram 2021
                                          • Wellbeing serves as a springboard to fulfilling traveler demands
                                            • Enjoyment Everywhere
                                              • A new look at popular destinations
                                                • Mint refreshes the premium experience
                                                    • Figure 23: JetBlue Mint, Instagram story, 2021
                                                  • Ethics Check
                                                    • Half-measures can visit misery on Visit Missouri
                                                        • Figure 24: Visit Missouri “That’s My M-O” video ad, 2021
                                                      • Orbitz continues to deliver to all genders
                                                          • Figure 25: Orbitz “Travel As You Are” ad, 2021
                                                        • Climate Complexity
                                                          • Google Flights emissions info makes sustainable choices easier
                                                            • Scotland makes a call for environmental consciousness
                                                                • Figure 26: Visit Scotland “Scotland: Yours to Enjoy, Responsibly” ad, 2021
                                                            • The 2022 Vacationer: Fast Facts

                                                              • Vacation Planning Segments

                                                                    • Figure 27: Vacation planning segments, 2021
                                                                  • Factors
                                                                    • Vacation planning segments
                                                                      • Timely Travelers (22%)
                                                                        • Figure 28: Timely Traveler segment demographics, 2022
                                                                      • Roused Returners (29%)
                                                                        • Figure 29: Roused Returner segment demographics, 2022
                                                                      • Stagnant Stalwarts (25%)
                                                                        • Figure 30: Stagnant Stalwart segment demographics, 2022
                                                                      • Doubtful Dabblers (24%)
                                                                        • Figure 31: Doubtful Dabbler segment demographics, 2022
                                                                    • Vacation Plans for 2022

                                                                        • Increase in vacation plans driven by family trips
                                                                          • Figure 32: Vacation plans, 2021-22
                                                                        • For travelers, it’s all about family
                                                                          • Figure 33: 2022 vacation plans, by segment, 2021
                                                                        • Domestic destinations have an opportunity with Asian, Black travelers
                                                                          • Figure 34: 2022 Vacation plans, by race and Hispanic origin, 2021
                                                                        • Workcation’s appeal is down, but not out
                                                                          • Figure 35: 2022 workcation plans, by parental status, 2021
                                                                      • COVID-19 Factors

                                                                        • Travel brands still have a responsibility in mitigating exposure
                                                                          • Figure 36: COVID-19 factors, 2021
                                                                        • Vacation segments’ concerns align with age swings
                                                                          • Figure 37: Desire for proof of vaccine, by consumer travel segments, 2021
                                                                          • Figure 38: Attitudes toward company treatment of workers, by consumer travel segments, 2021
                                                                        • Asian and Black vacationers want safety
                                                                          • Figure 39: COVID-19 factors, by race and Hispanic origin, 2021
                                                                      • Sources of Inspiration

                                                                        • Friends and family still tops for travel influence, but social gaining
                                                                          • Figure 40: Vacation inspiration, 2021-22
                                                                        • Segments’ inspiration is split between social circles and social media
                                                                          • Figure 41: Vacation inspiration, by consumer travel segments, 2021
                                                                        • Social is an important way to reach Hispanic travelers
                                                                          • Figure 42: Vacation inspiration, by race and Hispanic origin, 2021
                                                                      • Vacation Motivation

                                                                        • 2022 says relax
                                                                          • Figure 43: Vacation motivation, 2021
                                                                        • Active travel segments want to make up for what has been lost
                                                                          • Figure 44: Vacation motivation, by consumer travel segments, 2021
                                                                        • “Normalcy” isn’t the norm
                                                                          • Figure 45: Vacation motivation, by race and Hispanic origin, 2021
                                                                      • Travel Considerations

                                                                        • COVID-19 isn’t going away in 2022
                                                                          • Figure 46: Travel considerations, 2021
                                                                        • Traveler concerns split between long-term and short-term issues
                                                                          • Figure 47: Travel considerations, by consumer travel segments, 2021
                                                                        • Protections matter to travelers more wary about COVID-19
                                                                          • Figure 48: Travel considerations, by race and Hispanic origin, 2021
                                                                      • Attitudes toward Vacation Budgeting

                                                                        • Vacationers are looking to travel more and spend more
                                                                          • Figure 49: Attitudes toward vacation budgeting, 2021
                                                                        • Travel segments are generally ready to spend
                                                                          • Figure 50: Attitudes toward vacation budgeting, by consumer travel segments, 2021
                                                                        • Hispanics are eager to spend, while Asians are more close-pursed
                                                                          • Figure 51: Attitudes toward vacation budgeting – nets, by race and Hispanic origin, 2021
                                                                        • Mid-income travelers plan to increase spending, but look for deals
                                                                          • Figure 52: Attitudes toward vacation budgeting, by household income, 2021
                                                                      • Attitudes toward Vacation Limitations

                                                                        • Efficiency is one trend that will endure
                                                                          • Figure 53: Attitudes toward vacation limitations, 2021
                                                                        • Focus on frictionless for Roused Returners, families as a whole
                                                                          • Figure 54: Attitudes toward vacation limitations, by consumer travel segments, 2021
                                                                        • Remote options differ among income brackets
                                                                          • Figure 55: Attitudes toward vacation limitations, by household income, 2021
                                                                      • Attitudes toward Normalcy

                                                                        • Vacationers acknowledge “normal” may be nostalgia
                                                                          • Figure 56: Attitudes toward normalcy, 2021
                                                                        • The industry won’t force change, and can’t force normal
                                                                          • Figure 57: Attitudes toward normalcy, by consumer travel segments, 2021
                                                                        • Black, Hispanic vacationers accept COVID-19’s effect on travel
                                                                          • Figure 58: Attitudes toward normalcy, by race and Hispanic origin, 2021
                                                                      • Attitudes toward Vacation Cadence

                                                                        • Vacationers getting back to a preference for short trips
                                                                          • Figure 59: Attitudes toward vacation cadence, 2021
                                                                        • Providers may need to get granular to get Roused Returners out more
                                                                          • Figure 60: Attitudes toward vacation cadence, by consumer travel segments, 2021
                                                                        • Long trips likely to fit better with luxury travel
                                                                          • Figure 61: Attitudes toward vacation cadence, by household income, 2021
                                                                      • Appendix – Data Sources and Abbreviations

                                                                        • Data sources
                                                                          • Sales data
                                                                            • Forecast
                                                                              • Consumer survey data
                                                                                • Abbreviations and terms
                                                                                  • Abbreviations
                                                                                  • Appendix – The Market

                                                                                      • Figure 62: US consumer spending and forecast on travel*, at current prices, 2016-26
                                                                                      • Figure 63: US consumer spending and forecast on travel*, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2016-26

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