A survey of 2,200 adults was conducted Nov. 2-4, 2020 by Morning Consult on behalf of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and the news is ominous. Among its findings: Nearly 70% of Americans will not travel for Christmas, and 71% of hotels report that they will not survive another six months without emergency assistance.
Other findings of the survey include the following:
- 74% of those traveling overnight for Christmas report they will stay with a family or friend
- Only 3 in 10 (32%) respondents have taken an overnight vacation or leisure trip since March
- Looking ahead to next year, 24% are likely to travel for spring break
- 44% say their next hotel stay for vacation or leisure travel will be a year or more from now or they have no plans to stay in a hotel
- Business travel has been even more impacted as only 8% of Americans say they have taken an overnight business trip since March
- Only 8% of all adults expect to travel for business within the next six months
- 62% of employed Americans have no plans to stay in a hotel for business
“We understand the importance of following CDC guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and support the government’s actions. However, with the dramatic decline in travel, hotels will face a harsh winter through no fault of our own. The hotel industry needs aid to survive until travel demand returns. Given this current environment, Congress cannot nor should not contemplate recess until a relief bill is passed now,” says Chip Rogers, president and CEO of AHLA. “Millions of Americans are out of work, and thousands of small businesses are struggling to keep their doors open. We cannot afford to wait until the next Congress is sworn in for relief. We need help now.”
