Consumer and Business Travel: Bundle Up for More Than the Weather

Maritz Research finds Americans decreasing air travel and spending less on entertainment

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 2 -- New economic realities are affecting every aspect of the American way of life, and both recreational and business travel are not exceptions. Recently, Maritz Research Hospitality Group conducted a poll to see how current economic circumstances are impacting people's travel intentions for the first part of 2009. The results show that Americans are ready to cut back on travel and entertainment costs during the first few months of 2009.

According to the poll, 41 percent of Americans are planning to cut back on personal entertainment costs, such as movies, theater and sporting events. In addition, 34 percent plan to cut back on the number of times they dine out, and 20 percent plan to downgrade the class of restaurants at which they dine out.

Rick Garlick, Ph.D., senior director of consulting and strategic implementation, Maritz Research Hospitality Group, suggests travel and hospitality providers to bundle their services.

"While it is not uncommon for hotels, airlines and rental cars to offer discounts on collective services, this may now be extended to include restaurants and entertainment," Garlick said. "With travelers looking to take a step down in the class of hotel or restaurant they choose, higher classes of hotels and restaurants have an even greater possibility of losing share to lower priced competitors and will need to make significant adjustments."

According to Garlick, the airline industry, in particular, will need to bring fares down again to offset falling gasoline prices. At this point, travelers seem willing to sacrifice the convenience of flying to save the extra money, even for longer trips.

Among those that traveled by air for leisure, although the cutbacks on leisure travel already began last year. One-in-four (26 percent) expected a decrease in leisure air travel over the next six months, with one-in-ten (12 percent) indicating that the decrease would be 'significant'. More than one-in-three (38 percent) said they would be staying at hotels for leisure less often in the foreseeable future.

Those in the study were asked to indicate their level of agreement with the following statements:

       Statement              % strongly agree           % strongly agree
                                                            or somewhat
                                                               agree

  You plan to drive your
   car on at least one
   trip where you might
    have flown by air.               18%                         40%

  You plan to cut back on
   personal entertainment
   such as movies,
   theater, sporting
   events.                           14%                         41%

  You are planning to cut
   back on the number of
   times you dine out.               10%                         34%

  You are planning to
   downgrade the class
   of restaurants at
   which you dine out.                5%                         20%

  You are going to
   downgrade the class
   of hotel at which you
   usually stay.                      4%                          17%

This past summer, Maritz Research Hospitality Group conducted a study that showed, despite a decline in leisure travel, the economy had not yet had a significant impact on business travel. Only 4% of the sample indicated they cancelled a business trip within the past six months. Only 1% indicated that their trip was cancelled because their companies were cutting back on business expenses, with less than 1% citing the high cost of airfare as the reason for their cancellations. Since that time, many events have occurred that have changed the forecast considerably, and the results of this survey display these changes.

                  Statement                                % agree

  You expect the number of business trips to
   "increase significantly" within the next
   six months.                                               < 1%

  You expect the number of flights you take
   for business to "decrease significantly"
   in the next six months.                                    13%

  You expect the number of flights you take
   for business to "decrease somewhat" in the
   next six months.                                           18%

  You will be taking fewer hotel stays for
   work-related purposes for the next six months.             37%

  The poll was conducted online from December 9-10, 2008.

  About Maritz(R) Poll

Maritz(R) Poll is a copyrighted poll conducted since 1988 by Maritz Research Inc. Maritz Poll comprises bimonthly surveys on topics related to the automotive, financial services, hospitality, retail, technology, and telecommunications sectors as well as workplace issues. Respondents for this poll are split evenly between males and females and are randomly drawn from a national sample. The survey sample consists of 1,000 respondents. Sampling error for the overall poll is 3 percent. Results of the poll may be used in print or broadcast media, provided credit is given to the Maritz Poll and/or Maritz Research. Maritz has key offices in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Spain.

For more information, visit http://www.maritzpoll.com/ or call 1-877-4MARITZ.