Vacation Journey Tendencies Upward As Culinary and Cruise Holidays Surge in Recognition Amongst People In keeping with MMGY Report

Greater than a 3rd of all U.S. adults intend to journey for the winter vacation season

Eat, drink and be merry: culinary tourism, cruises and the upcoming vacation season are among the many trending subjects featured within the “Fall Version” of MMGY’s Portrait of American Vacationers® examine. An examination of the evolving habits, preferences and behaviors of as we speak’s U.S. journey customers, the quarterly survey discovered that almost 8 in 10 U.S. adults plan to take a trip within the subsequent 12 months, which represents a rise of 6% in comparison with the outcomes from fall 2023.

“Regardless of financial uncertainties and world complexities, journey continues to be a significant precedence for People,” mentioned Simon Moriarty, MMGY Journey Intelligence’s Vice President of Analysis and Analytics. “Our survey highlights a marked rise in curiosity in culinary and cruise experiences, reflecting a pattern towards extra immersive and significant journey. As we head into the busy however profitable vacation season, entrepreneurs ought to acknowledge that vacationers are planning their journeys with elevated thoughtfulness and real intent.”

Further highlights from the report comply with.

• Journey Plans and Issues: In welcome information for the trade, U.S. journey intentions have elevated throughout each era and all family revenue ranges. Because the summer time survey, shopper considerations concerning the worth of fuel have decreased alongside worth declines within the market.

• Generational Variations: Amongst generations, Boomers anticipate spending essentially the most on leisure journey throughout the subsequent 12 months, whereas Gen Xers count on to take essentially the most journeys (3.9 on common). Curiously, Gen Z’s curiosity in journey has modified course and risen after 4 quarters of consecutive decline, with 67% now planning to journey for leisure within the subsequent 12 months. 

• Vacation Journey: As a complete, extra U.S. adults (38%) intend to journey for the upcoming winter vacation season (in comparison with 34% in 2023). Thanksgiving journey intentions have elevated barely (53% this 12 months in comparison with 51% final 12 months), as have intentions to journey for the vacations of Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa (61% this 12 months in comparison with 58% final 12 months).

• Culinary Journey: For the second 12 months in a row, the affect of a vacation spot’s culinary scene has grown in significance from the earlier 12 months. Though genuine native delicacies continues to be essentially the most sought-after culinary expertise (55%), there’s rising curiosity in high-end culinary experiences equivalent to award-winning eating places or meals and wine festivals. 

• Cruising: Over half of energetic leisure vacationers are excited by taking an ocean cruise (58%) or river cruise (52%) throughout the subsequent two years, whereas 40% are excited by an expedition cruise. Notably, there’s a statistically vital 6% enhance in curiosity in ocean cruises, signaling a promising future for this mode of journey. 

• Touring Overseas: Curiosity in worldwide journey stays robust, with 8 in 10 energetic leisure vacationers excited by touring internationally throughout the subsequent two years (82%). That is up barely from this time final 12 months (79%).

• Sizzling Locations: Hawaii, Florida, Colorado and California stay the highest states that appeal to leisure vacationers’ curiosity. Seashore experiences and visiting state or nationwide parks stay constant as the highest two actions of curiosity for all generations – each gaining in recognition since 2023. 

That includes these findings and extra, the “Fall Version” of Portrait of American Vacationers® is now out there for buy or as a part of an all-access subscription to MMGY’s new Intel Library. To study extra, go to retailer.mmgyintel.com.

MMGY’s Portrait of American Vacationers® examine gives an in-depth examination of the influence of the present financial surroundings, prevailing social values and rising journey habits, preferences and intentions of People. Now in its thirty fourth 12 months, it’s broadly considered a number one barometer of journey traits and a necessary device for growing and evolving model and advertising and marketing methods. The journey pattern data offered on this “Fall Version” report was obtained from interviews with 4,501 U.S. adults in August 2024 and options knowledge from 4 generations: Gen Zers (18–24), Millennials (25–40), Gen Xers (41–56) and Boomers (57–75). The Silent/GI era (76+) was additionally surveyed, however outcomes usually are not damaged out for this particular era attributable to a small respondent pattern measurement. That is the third of 4 quarterly stories to be launched this 12 months.