According to a recent Hyatt Hotels survey, travelers are prioritizing experiences and connections this festive season with rooms revenue pacing 30 percent ahead of 2019 for resort locations worldwide. With leisure travel continuing to soar, Hyatt shares the most compelling travel trends for global guests and suggestions on how to make the most of festive season travel.
Hotels and resorts are delivering on the festive spirit this time of year with seasonal décor, food, music and more. According to a global survey commissioned by Hyatt and conducted by OnePoll from October 6-21, 2022, nearly two-thirds of people traveling with families prefer to stay at a hotel or resort rather than a home rental. In addition, many parents and grandparents will gather with their families for the holidays, with 94 percent of adults ages 45-plus who responded are planning to travel in December and 58 percent in January, indicating that connecting with loved ones is top of mind for travelers.
While some people enjoy a traditional gift, experiences create memories—which is why 61 percent of respondents noted they would be excited to receive travel or an experience such as a vacation, plane tickets, spa and meditation session or a cooking class as a gift this year. (Hyatt noted its new “FIND” experiences platform allows World of Hyatt members to explore and gift over 200 exclusive experiences around the globe.)
With leisure travel continuing to increase and many borders now open around the world, consumers are prioritizing "once-in-a-lifetime" trips with unique experiences and opportunities to connect. According to the survey, 62 percent of respondents agree that the festive season is a great time to cross off a bucket-list destination with some of the most popular destinations being Japan, Canada and Italy.
Loyalty programs, such as World of Hyatt, provide travelers with more ways to save and more reasons to gather all year round, especially during the festive season. Sixty-two percent of respondents said they would use a travel rewards program that lets them earn and redeem points, offers discounts and features unique experiences, and 51 percent said if there was an impressive travel rewards program offer, they would change their travel plans or go out of their way to earn and redeem points.
While some travelers may seek a reprieve from the cold in sunny destinations, 56 percent of respondents said it doesn’t feel like the festive season without snow. Those who are already located in colder climates and like to race to the sunshine this time of year can look to warm-weather destinations and enjoy tropical adventures.
For more information, visit www.hyatt.com.
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