A new survey from The Vacationer shows 122 million American adults (47.39%) plan to travel for Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa this year. Of those traveling to a vacation destination or gathering, 12.72% will do it primarily by plane. Nearly 35% will travel 100 miles or more to attend their gathering.
The Vacationer polled 1,092 American adults over the age of 18 in October. Results were analyzed by The Vacationer’s Eric Jones, an assistant professor of mathematics at Rowan College South Jersey.
Holiday travel is up 42% from last year
Last year’s holiday survey showed 33.46% intended to travel to a vacation destination or gathering. This year’s figure shows 47.39% intend to travel, which is a 41.63% increase.
Six million more American adults plan to fly for the holidays than for Thanksgiving
The survey shows 12.72% (33 million American adults) say their primary mode of travel will be by plane. This figure is six million people more than the amount that said they would travel by plane in its Thanksgiving survey.
Nearly 35% will travel at least 100 miles for the holidays
Participants were asked how far they plan to travel for Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa.
0 miles.—28.00%
1 to 99 miles.—37.15%
100 to 499 miles.—19.30%
500 to 999 miles.—7.78%
1,000 miles or more—7.78%
Nearly 35% of American adults (90 million people) will travel at least 100 miles. Almost 16% of American adults will travel 500 miles or more. Nearly 8% of American adults will travel 1,000 miles or more.
33% will not spend the holidays with an unvaccinated friend or family member
One out of three will not celebrate with an unvaccinated person, while another 20% will if the person has a negative test.
23% will spend more than $500 on holiday travel
Participants were asked how much they intend to spend on travel for the holidays this year. (gas, flights, hotels, tickets, etc.)
$0—36.41%
$500 or less—40.26%
$501 to $1,000—11.07%
$1,001 to $1,500—5.58%
$1,501 to $2,000—3.02%
$2,000 or more—3.66%
More than 23% intend to spend more than $500. More than 12% will spend more than $1,000.
Nearly 34% will take part in more holiday traveling and activities this year than last
Participants were asked how much traveling and activities for the holidays they will be doing this year compared to last.
More than last year—33.85%
The same as last year—56.63%
Less than last year—9.52%