Out With the Old And In With the New Year: Choice Hotels Reveals 2016 Travel Outlook

International hotel company reveals ten interesting American consumer travel insights as the new year approaches

News provided by

Dec 17, 2015, 07:00 ET

ROCKVILLE, Md., Dec. 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- As 2016 fast approaches, Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's leading hotel companies, reveals the top ten most interesting travel trends for US travelers in the new year. The company's latest survey captures a forecast of what travelers will be expecting as we count down to 2016.

"Without a doubt, 2016 is going to bring new and inventive ways for consumers to travel," said Patrick Pacious, executive vice president, and Chief Operating Officer at Choice Hotels. "The travel industry continues to evolve on a daily basis. From the blending of business and leisure travel to the growing consumer demand for stronger loyalty programs, it's important that we keep a pulse check on travelers around the country."

The 2016 Travel Trend Outlook

Price Check, Please: 40% of travelers decided to defer a trip in 2015 due to airfare being way too high.

Close, but No Cigar: If the travel embargo to Cuba would be lifted, 52% of Americans say they would consider visiting Cuba.

Where's Your Loyalty? 33% of travelers are not members of a travel loyalty or rewards program, yet 42% check for loyalty program special promotions when booking a hotel stay.

The Price We'd Pay: When asked what they would give up for a free night stay at a hotel, travelers quipped everything from their first born child to chocolate to "anything" as what they'd be willing to sacrifice.

Work Hard, Play Hard: 31% of travelers say that they have plans of booking a 'bleisure' trip, meaning adding a leisure trip onto the beginning or end of a business trip, in 2016.

Let's Set This Straight: Men are 112% more likely to want their hotel room equipped with an iron/ironing board than women.

It's all about the Amenities: Free WiFi (60%) followed by cable TV (52%) and complimentary toiletries (28%) were the three amenities Americans can't live without in a hotel room.

So Much Work and So Little Time: 36% of Americans typically do not use all of their paid vacation time.

Show me the Money: 65% of travelers say that they would prefer an end of the year bonus instead of additional paid vacation time.

Time to Disconnect: While 8% of Americans say that they wouldn't last more than a day without technology, 38% say that they would absolutely love to take a vacation that is totally technology-free.

The Choice Hotels 2016 Travel Forecast was conducted by Newlio (www.Newlio.com) among a nationally representative sample of 1071 U.S. adults over the age of 18 that have taken one or more overnight trips in the past 12 months and who are also planning on taking one or more overnight trips in the next 12 months. Respondents were equally segmented above/below 40 years of age with an even male/female split.

About Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is one of the world's largest lodging companies. With more than 6,300 hotels franchised in more than 35 countries and territories, Choice Hotels International® represents more than 500,000 rooms around the globe. As of September 30, 2015, 638 hotels were in our development pipeline. Our company's Ascend Hotel Collection®, Cambria® hotels & suites, Comfort Inn®, Comfort Suites®, Sleep Inn®, Quality®, Clarion®, MainStay Suites®, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel®, Econo Lodge® and Rodeway Inn® brands provide a spectrum of lodging choices to meet guests' needs. With more than 24 million members and counting, check out our Choice Privileges® rewards program to see how you can reap the benefits of being a member of the Choice Hotels® family. All hotels are independently owned and operated. Visit us at www.choicehotels.com for more information.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151215/296187-INFO

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131015/NE98133LOGO-l

SOURCE Choice Hotels International, Inc.