ASTA: Travel Tops Wish List of American Consumers

Travel tops the priority list of consumers in the United States, according to recent research released by the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA).

Established in 1931, ASTA is considered one of the world’s largest associations of travel professionals and the leading global advocate for travel advisors, the travel industry and the traveling community.

ASTA’s “Consumer Travel Sentiments – Fall 2022” survey found that 70 percent of research participants look at travel “as a reward” for what they had to deal with over the past two years.

Source: ASTA.

“This research shows that Americans not only want to travel, they need to travel,” said ASTA President and CEO Zane Kerby.

US consumers chose travel as a type of “prime investment during these times” over otherwise popular choices such as owning a new car, buying a new computer or television.

According to the survey, 4 out of 5 Americans said that a vacation can do wonders to one’s mental health while 65 percent of them will choose the YOLO (You Only Live Once) motto and implement it in world travelling.

Photo Source: JLL

Other key findings of the research were:

• 40 percent of U.S. travelers are spending more on travel this year, compared to pre -pandemic
• Despite economic pressures 3 out of 4 Americans plan to spend the same or more on travel in 2023
• Almost half of them feel that nothing is going to stop them from taking a vacation
• 64 percent of Americans will travel for Thanksgiving and 66 percent will travel in December 2022

On the other hand, U.S. consumers who aren’t planning to travel, claim that inflation and the economy are the main inhibitors behind their choice.

Source: ASTA.

Furthermore, when it comes to international travel, researched participants found it more costly than they did in May 2022.

Following summer 2022’s long delays at numerous international airports, 57 percent of Americans also believe that airports and airlines remain understaffed making future air travel possibly more vulnerable and complex.