It’s Official: Most Americans Plan to Travel This Summer

More than three-quarters of Americans (77 percent) plan to take a trip this summer.

That’s the conclusion from a recent Harris Poll survey commissioned by the Let’s Go There coalition of 75 travel companies and organizations – and I couldn’t be more delighted. The poll also found that two-thirds of Americans have a summer trip either planned out already (36 percent) or booked (30 percent).

That’s wonderful news for so many reasons. It’s exciting that it’s even a possibility after the last 14 months we’ve all endured. Vaccination rates continue to rise in the U.S., which has improved consumer confidence and there’s no question that there’s pent up demand to get on the road.

In fact, AAA Travel expects more than 37 million people in the U.S. will travel 50 miles or more from home over Memorial Day weekend later this month -- the unofficial kick off to summer in the U.S. That’s a 60 percent increase compared to last year when only 23 million traveled. 

For the travel industry, clearly, this is the kind of data we’ve all been dreaming about. It’s a very encouraging sign of recovery – that we’re beginning to come through the worst period in our history. It’s also great news for the tens thousands of workers who make up the hospitality industry. Whether working in transportation, hotels, restaurants or tourist destinations across the country – these employees and the companies they work for depend on Americans getting back on the road for leisure and business travel. This data is also heartening for consumers. It means more and more families will be reunited, celebrating long postponed life events like graduations, milestone anniversaries and weddings.

Recovery is not uniform across the globe, of course. Our hearts are with the citizens of India, Brazil and other places where the outbreak is particularly severe right now. But today’s news gives us hope.

At Marriott, leisure customers are leading our recovery and we’ve been hard at work to ease safety concerns – offering contactless check-in upon arrival, rigorous hospital-grade cleaning protocols, flexible cancellation policies and more customer services on our mobile app – all while providing new travel options such as our all-inclusive resorts and home rentals at Homes & Villas by Marriott International.

My mother, daughter and I took a girls’ trip together in April and it felt incredible to leave my home and experience a change of scenery. I can’t wait to pack my bags once again this summer. For me, travel inspires, enlightens, relaxes. I learn about different cultures and food. I disconnect from work; I have adventures and – most importantly – priceless time with family. 

If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to hear about it.

Ready? So are we.