Despite the 2024 U.S. elections being just a few weeks behind us, travel behaviors have already been affected. MMGY’s 2024 Portrait of American Travelers® surveys have revealed that this election season has subtly shifted travel intentions with both political and financial influences shaping Americans’ travel plans for the months ahead.
Political Concerns Linger
Despite the end of the campaign season, a notable portion of travelers (about 34% to 36%) report that the elections’ outcomes continue to influence their travel decisions through the end of the year. Political concerns are more pronounced for international trips than for domestic ones. This demonstrates a more cautious approach, hinting that some travelers may feel uncertain about future international relations. Interestingly, travel intentions have been stable throughout the year, perhaps indicating how deeply ingrained the political cycle has become in the American travel landscape.
Financial Factors Loom Larger
While we’re seeing political concerns remain steady, financial worries have overtaken the spotlight. In a year marked by cost-of-living concerns, economic conditions are leading many Americans to revisit their travel budgets. For some, this means fewer trips; for others, it means adjusting how they plan to travel – choosing shorter stays, more economical destinations or even deferring major vacations. As a result, travelers are being more measured in their decision-making, particularly for international trips.
International Travel Hesitancy
Our data shows that election-related hesitance is more acute for international travel than for domestic travel. With the political landscape freshly reshaped, some travelers are wary of potential geopolitical shifts or changes in international relations that might impact their future travel plans. An overseas trip now comes with a sense of caution as they wait to see how international perceptions of the U.S. evolve.
Americans are treading carefully in the travel arena, navigating a mix of economic realities and potential political dynamics. While travel is always about escapism, the current traveler is having to find a balance between travel dreams and inescapable realities. In the wake of the U.S. elections, American travelers are adjusting, recalibrating and, in many cases, moving forward intentionally, blending a love of travel with newly tempered expectations.
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