Save Money & See the World This Holiday: Get Ready for Cheaper Flights, Packed Hotels & Boomers Abound

As the holiday travel season approaches, travelers can expect a few key differences in their upcoming trips. Although flights will be cheaper than in previous years, travelers should also expect packed hotels and a surge of older travelers. Cheap Flights GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, expects that airfare will be 6.7% lower globally in 2020 than 2019, with U.S. prices falling by just 2.2%. With the pandemic having caused a sharp decline in air travel worldwide, airlines are offering deeper discounts to draw travelers in. Additionally, with the holiday season approaching, airlines have already begun to offer Black Friday flight deals as well as flash sales at discounted prices. While the deals will vary from airline to airline, travelers can be certain that they will be able to find discounts when booking holiday flights this year. Full Hotels In addition to cheap flights, travelers can expect hotels to be full this holiday season. While the pandemic has caused a decrease in overall travel, road trips have seen a rise. At the same time, hotel occupancy has been steadily increasing since May, up to more than 59% as of October. According to the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the hotel industry expects an average occupancy of roughly 65% this 4th quarter, which is higher than expected. This may come as a surprise, given the pandemic and the social distancing guidelines in place. However, the desire to celebrate the holiday season with family has caused a surge in domestic leisure trips, which in turn has boosted hotel occupancy. Baby Boomers Finally, travelers should also expect to see an increase in the number of older travelers this year. According to a survey conducted by Airbnb, baby boomers (those born between 1945-1960) make up the largest share of domestic travelers in the US. The survey found that baby boomers are the most engaged travelers, with 41% of them saying that they plan to travel more this year than before. Furthermore, 41% of them plan on taking at least one leisure trip over the next six months, with the majority of those trips being for leisure. This change in demographics is largely a result of retirement and the empty nest phenomenon, with more baby boomers having the time and the money to travel. In conclusion, travelers should expect cheaper flights, packed hotels, and an increase in baby boomer travelers when traveling this holiday season. With the world expected to rebound in 2021, traveler should take advantage of the discounts now in order to explore new places and create lasting memories. As the holiday travel season approaches, travelers can expect a few key differences in their upcoming trips. Although flights will be cheaper than in previous years, travelers should also expect packed hotels and a surge of older travelers. Cheap Flights GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, expects that airfare will be 6.7% lower globally in 2020 than 2019, with U.S. prices falling by just 2.2%. With the pandemic having caused a sharp decline in air travel worldwide, airlines are offering deeper discounts to draw travelers in. Additionally, with the holiday season approaching, airlines have already begun to offer Black Friday flight deals as well as flash sales at discounted prices. While the deals will vary from airline to airline, travelers can be certain that they will be able to find discounts when booking holiday flights this year. Full Hotels In addition to cheap flights, travelers can expect hotels to be full this holiday season. While the pandemic has caused a decrease in overall travel, road trips have seen a rise. At the same time, hotel occupancy has been steadily increasing since May, up to more than 59% as of October. According to the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the hotel industry expects an average occupancy of roughly 65% this 4th quarter, which is higher than expected. This may come as a surprise, given the pandemic and the social distancing guidelines in place. However, the desire to celebrate the holiday season with family has caused a surge in domestic leisure trips, which in turn has boosted hotel occupancy. Baby Boomers Finally, travelers should also expect to see an increase in the number of older travelers this year. According to a survey conducted by Airbnb, baby boomers (those born between 1945-1960) make up the largest share of domestic travelers in the US. The survey found that baby boomers are the most engaged travelers, with 41% of them saying that they plan to travel more this year than before. Furthermore, 41% of them plan on taking at least one leisure trip over the next six months, with the majority of those trips being for leisure. This change in demographics is largely a result of retirement and the empty nest phenomenon, with more baby boomers having the time and the money to travel. In conclusion, travelers should expect cheaper flights, packed hotels, and an increase in baby boomer travelers when traveling this holiday season. With the world expected to rebound in 2021, traveler should take advantage of the discounts now in order to explore new places and create lasting memories.