Fewer US travellers to travel on Labor Day this year
Fewer travellers are gearing up for travel on the US public holiday Labor Day this year, according to travel insurtech company Squaremouth.com
The US travel industry has struggled to keep up with current demand for the majority of the summer – a peak time for travellers to test their luck amid flight delays, cancellations and labour shortages.
Squaremouth says Labor Day weekend travel bookings are currently down 30 per cent compared to last year. One reason could be the rising gas prices, as it is historically a popular driving weekend. Coupled with ongoing airline issues, travellers may be more inclined to stay home.
Earlier this year, over half of Squaremouth travellers reported spending more this year compared to years past, with the majority attributing the increase to inflation and the rising cost of travel.
The Labor Day travel decline could also be a result of bigger trips earlier in the year. Year-to-date, Squaremouth reports 250 per cent more trips scheduled between January and August of this year, compared to 2021. Of travellers who choose to fly, the majority indicate concerns over flight cancellations and delays.
Squaremouth reports a 92-per-cent increase in Labor Day travellers looking for ‘Travel Delay’ coverage, as well as 24-per-cent increase in ‘Cancel For Any Reason’ searches.
Labor Day weekend travellers are spending almost 60 per cent less than trips scheduled throughout the majority of the year, with the average trip cost around US$2,400.
Despite the ongoing airline complications, Squaremouth reports a 50/50 split between travellers going abroad and staying stateside, signalling the strong return of international travel post-pandemic.