U.S. travelers increasingly influenced by politics in vacations

Travel choices for summer vacations are increasingly influenced by politics, according to a recent poll. The survey found that the number of travelers who say politics will greatly affect their decisions has risen from 24% in September to 42% in March. Amir Eylon, the president and CEO of Longwoods International, highlighted that travelers may choose destinations where they feel welcome. This trend is not limited to one political party; it affects people on both sides. For example, right-leaning travelers might avoid places like New York City, while those on the left may stay away from Florida's Disney World. Eylon also observed that unique destinations like the Grand Canyon may be less affected than more generic beach locations. The poll suggests that travelers might prefer beaches in states that align with their political views. However, he warned that plans stated in the poll may not match what people ultimately do. David Gilbert, CEO of Destination Cleveland, stated that their research does not yet show strong evidence of political influence affecting decisions to visit Cleveland. He noted that they would continue to monitor travel trends. Eylon recommends that travel destinations try to remain neutral in the political climate. For instance, Florida saw no significant decrease in visitors after a travel advisory was issued, partly because local tourist spots distanced themselves from controversial state policies. Despite the political aspect, budget concerns also play a major role in travel decisions. The survey indicated that fewer travelers plan to vacation in the next six months compared to last year. Economic worries are high, with 89% of U.S. travelers expressing plans to travel, down from 93%. Many travelers anticipate that costs will become higher, while only 17% believe travel will be more affordable. The poll included 1,000 U.S. adult travelers and is part of a continuing survey series that started during the COVID pandemic.