Forward-looking monthly summary of the latest economic, consumer and travel indicators, trends and analysis. This monthly member-only communication features the Recovery and Growth Insights Dashboard as well as the latest data and trends affecting travel’s recovery. Analysis of the broader economy and its impact on travel will provide unique insights to help travel businesses make informed and timely decisions.
The Recovery and Growth Insights Dashboard developed in collaboration with Tourism Economics, is supported by more than 20 data sources. The dashboard is the most comprehensive and centralized source for high-frequency intelligence on the U.S. travel industry, tracking industry performance, travel volumes and predictive indicators of recovery including air and lodging forecasts, DMO website traffic, convention and group trends, travel spending and losses, traveler sentiment, among others to measure the health of the industry.
Key Highlights:
- Travel spending totaled $104 billion in September. Alaska (+19%), Wyoming (+16%), Mississippi (+16%) and New Hampshire (+14%) experienced the strongest YOY growth in travel spending.
- Total travel spending growth slowed somewhat to 0.8% above last year's levels and was up 3.5% year-to-date through September.
- Air travel demand was up 10% in September compared to the same month last year, but slowed slightly from June and July.
- Hotel demand remained flat in September for the fifth consecutive month.
- Leisure and hospitality employment increased 4.3% compared to September 2022, the largest gain since January.
- Credit card spending on airlines (+ 3.5%) and cruise lines increased in September compared to the same time last year.
- Overseas arrivals recovered further in September and are now 16% below 2019 levels.
