22 Sep New Travel Technology Association Poll Reveals US Travelers Overwhelmingly Value Short-Term Rentals
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 21, 2021
Media Contact:
Colleen Frerichs | cfrerichs@kivvit.com
New Travel Technology Association Poll Reveals US Travelers Overwhelmingly Value Short-Term Rentals
Poll shows over 70% of travelers stayed in a short-term rental this summer, staying for at least 3 days
Arlington, Virginia — Today, The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) released new polling data from a survey of over 1,000 individuals in the United States on travel consumer preferences, specifically focusing on short-term rentals and stay experiences since May 2021. The data shows that despite COVID-19 disruptions, Americans who are traveling are not only choosing to stay in short-term rentals (e.g., Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com), but are having an overwhelmingly positive experience.
The report’s key findings on short-term rental plans and stay experiences this past summer include:
An Appetite for Travel with a Preference for Short-Term Rentals:
- Over 71% of respondents have stayed in or booked a short-term rental or vacation rental since May 2021 for a summer vacation (e.g., Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com).
- Almost 84% of respondents reported a positive experience staying in their most recent short-term rental property, with almost 78% generally having a positive view of short-term rentals.
- Over 40% of respondents have stayed in more than one short-term rental since May 2021.
- Over 63% of travelers also find that they spend more time at local and small businesses, restaurants, and attractions, rather than the main tourist destinations when staying at a short-term rental property.
- Almost 73% of respondents agreed that local and state lawmakers should ensure that short-term rentals continue to be an option for travelers by ensuring that short-term rentals remain legal and available.
- Over 60% of travelers would be less inclined to visit a city if short-term rentals were limited and/or not an option.
Reliance on Finding the Best-Valued Options:
- Over 85% of respondents found short-term rentals to be more affordable or equally as affordable as staying in a hotel.
The Time Travelers are Spending at Short-Term Properties:
- Travelers staying in short-term rentals were in no rush to check-out, with over 70% of respondents staying for at least 3 days.
- Almost 63% of respondents said that they are more inclined to stay longer at a short-term rental property than a hotel with travel resuming.
“Today’s polling results show a clear and unwavering appetite for short-term-rentals as a travel option. Even as we saw the Delta variant force many states and localities back to COVID restrictions over the summer, consumers were still eager to travel and many found STRs to be the most comfortable option for them, offering contactless check-in and more space, among many other benefits.
“With this week’s announcement from the Biden administration relaxing travel policies for vaccinated international travelers entering the US, this poll illustrates STRs will be a key component in ensuring we maximize the economic benefits of international tourism and its contribution to our overall economic recovery,” said Steve Shur, President of the Travel Technology Association.
Media interviews will be available upon request with Steve Shur.
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Methodology
This survey polled over 1,000 randomly selected individuals in the United States on travel consumer preference via online survey. The survey was in the field for 24 hours, starting September 15, 2021.
About Travel Tech
The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) is the voice of the travel technology industry, advocating for public policy that promotes transparency and competition in the marketplace to encourage innovation and preserve consumer choice. We represent the leading innovators in travel technology, including global distribution systems, online travel agencies and metasearch companies, travel management companies and short-term rental platforms.
