Winter Travel to Increase 10% During Holidays – Is Your Staff Prepared?

Hoteliers and restaurateurs: expect big crowds over the next month.

Online travel agency Expedia just released its “Winter Travel Outlook.” Data shows a 10% increase in holiday travelers from last year.

Expedia’s findings are from flight data. The more flights booked, the more likely you can expect hotel bookings to increase.

Here are the locations where business owners can expect the most holiday travelers:

2024 Winter Holiday travel trends

Solo travelers and smaller crowds plan to travel more this year.

A vacation rental revenue management platform called Beyond published data showing a 10% increase in solo holiday travelers this year. GEM Journal recently reported the headline “Solo for the Season: Holiday Plans for Independent Travelers.”

You can find sample itineraries for the most popular destinations here.

AAA recently released data showing record-high travelers. More than 119 million Americans plan to travel at least 50 miles between December 21 and January 1.

Guests are expected to have unique experiences tailored to the holiday season. Not sure how to provide that experience? Check out GEM Journal’s report Discover 7 Ways to Entertain Guests During the Holiday Season.

GEM’s Guest Experience Checklist

1. Beef up your online presence: Online food orders are projected to increase 24% during the holidays. Your online ordering systems better be up to snuff to feed demand from hungry travelers.
2. Create holiday experiences: Focus on dining and family-friendly holiday events. Borrow ideas from GEM’s 9 Festivities to Pull Guests Out of Their Winter Funk.
3. Run gift card promotions: Gift cards are one of the most popular holiday presents. Beat your competition to the punch by running a holiday sale on gift cards.
4. Put a focus on health and safety: Ensure your staff is prepared to appeal to health-conscious customers. Everyone must be aware of allergy safety protocols and cleanliness.
5. Technology is your friend: Use technology to monitor deliveries and manage the holiday rush efficiently. Cloud-based software companies like Oracle and Appsuite can streamline operations and guest experience.

Planning ahead and brainstorming with the team can help you win this holiday season. When the pressure’s on, and guests are swarming the building, embrace the moment and remember you got this.