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Hotels Remain Preferred Lodging for Holiday Travelers Amid Economic Concerns – Image Credit AHLA
- Fifty % of U.S. adults plan to travel overnight for leisure by year-end, with hotels being the preferred lodging option.
- Rising costs and economic uncertainty impact travel plans, with inflation a concern for 49% of travelers.
A recent survey by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and Morning Consult indicates that half of U.S. adults plan to travel overnight for leisure before the end of the year. Additionally, 31% of employed adults expect to travel overnight for business purposes.
Hotels are the leading choice for accommodation among travelers, with 44% of leisure travelers and 63% of business travelers opting for hotel stays. Among hotel guests, nearly 80% plan to stay at midscale or higher-end properties.
Family trips are the most common type of travel, with 46% of respondents planning an overnight family trip. For holiday travel, 34% expect to travel for Thanksgiving and 37% for Christmas. Romantic getaways and solo adventures show a higher preference for hotel stays, with 53% and 48% respectively, choosing hotels. Those visiting family for the holidays tend to stay with relatives.
Despite these travel plans, there is a slight decline in travel intentions compared to last fall and winter. Rising costs across the economy are cited by 45% of respondents as a reason for reducing travel plans. Concerns about inflation could deter 49% of travelers from traveling overnight in the coming months. Nonetheless, 46% still plan to take an overnight family trip within the next four months.
The survey was conducted online from September 6 to September 8, 2025, with a sample of 2,202 adults. The data were weighted to reflect a representative sample based on various demographics, with a margin of error ranging from 2 to 6 percentage points.
