Although high gas prices and inflation are having a dampening effect on human mobility, the U.S. remains poised for a vigorous travel recovery. Several key indicators of the economy remain positive, including low unemployment, growth in GDP, manufacturing, and wholesale retail sales. It will be key to track how the Federal Reserve can engineer a “soft landing” while raising interest rates to curb inflation without having a material effect on increasing unemployment.
SCT is taking active measures to ensure travelers are equipped with education and inspiration that encourages sustainable and responsible travel behavior. The latest Kind Traveler report provides specific examples of how making strategic contributions of time, treasure, and talent to social and environmental projects advances positive impact in our community.
Thematic itineraries and curated activities remain the best ways to attract road trippers-they are a vital market and continue to grow market share. Today’s road trippers stay just as long as the average visitor and sometimes spend more. Visitors who travel by car can spend as much as $1,876 per trip and other surveys indicate the higher the household income, the more road trips taken.
Despite rising gas prices, road tripping still remains a timeless way to experience the great outdoors, and for the first time in 2022, the daily travel index indicates the 28-day rolling average of American road trips has surpassed 2019 numbers.
This year’s Earth Day theme is “Invest in our Planet”, a bold call to action to swiftly adopt outcomes that will decarbonize our communities, protect our families, our health, and our livelihoods. According to a recent travel survey of American adults, 87.32% say sustainable travel is either Somewhat Important or Very Important to them (+4.65 percentage points on 2021) and 71% would pay more.
