Harvest Hosts’ survey is designed to show the current state of travel and how Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X and Baby Boomers are approaching spring and summer travel.
Report producers said that as Americans are weighing the impact of inflation, rising gas prices and macroeconomic unease, they are being forced to reassess the trip planning process.
By contrast, they noted, a few months ago travelers were planning lavish trips – following two years of being confined to their homes. Now, vacationers are scaling back.
Sixty-two percent of travelers are staying closer to home, visiting nearby cities and towns.
Over half of Americans – 53 percent – say gas prices will limit travel plans, both road and air. Half of travelers said they are padding their travel budgets for anticipated higher costs due to inflation.
“The travel industry is bracing for a chaotic summer season, with rising costs upending plans,” said Joel Holland, CEO of Harvest Hosts. “Road travel continues to peak travelers’ interest despite the rising cost of fuel. We’re seeing more travelers opt for shorter trips closer to home, planning quick getaways to nearby destinations. There is so much to explore on the local level and a whole new era of RVing is opening up as the industry shatters its records year after year.”
In fact, 22 percent of travelers have already taken steps to shorten their trips to decrease costs.
Differing from the other generations, around half of said the price of gas will not limit their upcoming travel plans – and are willing to spend more to see their plans through.
The youngest and oldest generations are the most price-conscious– 59 percent of Gen Z and 57 percent of Boomers say the price of gas will limit their upcoming travel plans.
The impact of inflation is already being felt, with half of travelers planning ahead and padding their travel budgets to accommodate for the anticipated higher costs.
Resurgence of the ‘Near-cation’
During the peak of the pandemic, many Americans discovered hidden gems in their own backyards when traditional travel was restricted, the survey noted. Now, cost-conscious travelers are revisiting the ‘near-cation’ concept to make the most of their time off while on a budget.
Nearly two-thirds of Americans – 62 percent – are planning to take local, regional trips, visiting nearby cities and towns.
Campgrounds can expect another swell of bookings this summer, with 51 percent of travelers planning to book spots.
Only 19 percent of those surveyed are planning to travel outside the U.S.
Road Tripping
Twenty-three percent of travelers went RVing for the first time since 2020.
Nearly half of travelers – 48 percent – have considered taking an RV trip in the last two years.
While 78 percent of travelers do not currently own an RV, 28 percent of those that don’t are considering purchasing one and 33 percent are considering renting an RV for upcoming vacations.
As many feel burnt out from work and the pandemic, nearly 60 percent have fantasized about living on the road.
This resonates particularly with the younger generations with nearly two-thirds of Millennials and Gen Z respondents dreaming of “van life.”