U.S. Consumer Travel Report 2023
At a glance
- Comprehensive survey of American leisure travellers capturing post-pandemic behaviour and sentiment during 2022 recovery period.
- Covers travel metrics, preferences by age cohort, destination decision drivers, and social media influence on planning process.
- Analysis spans seven travel segments: air, cruise, hotels, car rental, ground transport, OTAs, tours, and traditional agencies.
- Examines future travel expectations and anticipated plans to forecast leisure market demand in post-pandemic environment.
What the report covers
Phocuswright's U.S. Consumer Travel Report 2023 provides a comprehensive snapshot of American leisure traveller behaviour and sentiment in the post-pandemic environment based on a survey of leisure consumers. The report captures travel metrics with particular focus on 2022 behaviours and attitudes, segmenting analysis by age cohort to reveal demographic-specific travel trends. It examines the factors driving destination selection, explores social media's role in travel planning and purchasing decisions, and projects future travel expectations across multiple distribution channels including air, cruise, hotels, car rental, ground transportation, online travel agencies, tours and packages, and traditional agencies and travel management companies.
Key findings
The report establishes a baseline of post-pandemic leisure travel behaviour for the U.S. market during 2022. It captures American consumer travel sentiment and actual booking patterns as pandemic-related restrictions eased and travel demand recovered. This provides an evidence base for understanding how leisure travellers normalised travel frequency, destination preferences, and booking methods following an extended period of disruption.
Age cohort segmentation reveals distinct travel preferences and behaviours across different demographic groups. By breaking down trends and preferences by age, the report enables stakeholders to identify which segments drive leisure travel growth, how different generations prioritise destinations or travel modes, and where marketing and product development resources should concentrate to capture evolving demand patterns.
Destination decision drivers and influencers are central to understanding traveller choice architecture in 2022. The report documents which factors—such as price, cultural appeal, accessibility, or recommendations—shaped where Americans chose to travel, providing insights into competitive dynamics among destinations and the relative importance of different marketing channels in influencing consumer selection.
Social media's impact on the travel planning and consumption process represents a key theme. The report quantifies how platforms influence traveller research, inspiration, and purchasing decisions, helping travel organisations understand the role of digital channels in customer acquisition and how to optimise their presence across social networks to reach leisure travellers effectively.
Key numbers
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Report price (public access) | US$995 |
| Geographic scope | U.S. & Canada |
| Travel segments covered | 7 segments |
| Primary reference period | 2022 |
Figures as published in the source; forecasts and survey results are labelled as such in the note.
Why it matters
DMOs & destinations
Destination marketing organisations need clarity on what drives American leisure traveller choices and how social media influences decision-making. The report's age-cohort breakdown enables DMOs to refine targeting strategies for specific demographics, anticipate demand from different age groups, and allocate marketing budgets more effectively based on which segments generate leisure travel volume to their destinations.
Hotels & hospitality
Hospitality operators require current intelligence on post-pandemic leisure traveller behaviour and future booking intentions across the U.S. market. Understanding age-based preferences, destination decision criteria, and the role of social media helps hotels tailor room offerings, pricing strategies, and marketing campaigns to align with evolving consumer expectations and travel sentiment during the recovery phase.
Travel tech & distribution
Travel technology platforms and OTAs need market intelligence on consumer behaviour across booking channels and the influence of digital touchpoints. The report covers social media's impact on travel planning and comparative data across distribution methods, enabling platforms to optimise user experience, refine customer acquisition strategies, and improve conversion rates by understanding how leisure travellers research and book travel.
Methodology and limits
The report is based on a comprehensive survey of U.S. leisure travellers, documenting their 2022 behaviours, attitudes, and future expectations. The source material accessed is the product landing page, which describes topics and segments covered rather than detailed methodology. Complete information on sample size, survey period, sampling approach, statistical margins of error, and operational definitions remains in the full paid report. This brief is based on the publicly available summary only.
Official source
The report is © Phocuswright. This brief is an original editorial summary by TourismIntel — it quotes only figures published in the source and never reproduces the document.
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