The Federal Government Shutdown Impacts American Holiday Travel Plans

The Federal Government Shutdown may have ended, but the damage to the travel industry continues beyond the lingering air capacity reductions.

It’s initial impact on Holiday Travel plans for American Travelers shows that at least 10% of Holiday Travel plans have been cancelled thus far as a direct result of the Shutdown and associated concerns about travel that it has created.

On Wednesday, November 12^th, as Congress was voting to re-open the Federal Government, we fielded a second flash poll via our American Travel Sentiment tracking tool using the same methodology…

We asked three questions of our representative national sample of American Travelers with plans in the next six months:

1. Has the Federal Government Shutdown impacted their travel plans?

Answer:  Over one third (36%) of American travelers have indicated that their travel plans have already been impacted by the Federal Government shutdown!  This is up four points from last week…

2. Of the 36% it has impacted, how did they modify their travel plans thus far?

Answer:

Percent selected

I postponed my trip(s) to a later date – 46% 

I decided to drive instead of fly  – 28%

I shortened the duration of my trip(s) – 18%

I changed the destination or itinerary of my trip(s) – 26%

I canceled my trip(s) – 26% – Up 7 points from last week.

Other – 1%

3. Of the 36% it has impacted, how did they modify their HOLIDAY TRAVEL plans thus far?

I decided to drive instead of fly – 37%

I postponed my holiday travel to a later date – 30%

I cancelled my holiday travel plans –  29% – This is the most concerning of all the responses!

I changed the destination or itinerary – 26%

I shortened the duration of my holiday travel – 21%

Other – 1%