This adds nearly 600 hotels to its central reservation system ahead of schedule and less than a year since its acquisition of Radisson Americas closed. Choice also revealed the successful integration of the Radisson Rewards Americas loyalty program into the Choice Privileges program. This enables the nearly 60 million Choice Privileges members to earn and redeem points at more than 7,400 hotels across 22 brands in 45 countries and territories.
“We are excited to offer travelers hundreds of additional hotels to choose from on choicehotels.com, including numerous upscale and full-service properties, as we welcome our Radisson franchisees to Choice’s powerful reservation engine,” said Pat Pacious, CEO, Choice Hotels International. “Integrating nearly 600 hotels and the Radisson Rewards Americas program in such a short period of time is a testament to Choice’s advanced technology and integration expertise and shows our commitment to providing franchisees with opportunities for optimal success and offering travelers ways to easily find the right hotel to meet their travel needs on one website.”
Survey results revealed
In addition to reaching the integration milestone, the company revealed the results of its “Choice Privileges State of the American Traveler Survey.”
The survey, a poll of more than 2,000 U.S. adults conducted in partnership with Harris Poll, sheds new light on Americans’ travel plans and priorities this summer and beyond.
“Our new ‘Choice Privileges State of the American Traveler Survey’ details how people are planning to travel this summer, fall and beyond,” said Noha Abdalla, chief marketing officer, Choice Hotels International.
Key findings include:
Most Americans want to spend less than $200/night on lodging:
- The majority (78%) typically look to spend less than $200/night on lodging.
- Most (73%) prefer to splurge on experiences and limit cost of lodging.
- With sports, music and theater getting back in full swing post-pandemic, 26% of Americans say they plan their trips around these specific experiences.
Some prefer to splurge on upscale offerings:
- More than one in four (27%) splurge on lodging and limit costs of experiences, with 21% willing to spend $200 or more/night on lodging.
Loyalty programs are key tools for people to save money while traveling:
- 41% of Americans said they plan to use hotel/loyalty program points to save money this summer, and 30% book using a loyalty member rate when taking a road trip, nearly a third of Americans.
- Less then a third (29%) said they would pay for their road trip using loyalty points.
While international travel has been booming this summer, many Americans are still choosing to road trip around the U.S.:
- More than a third of respondents (38%) report they travel to feel more connected to and explore the country
- 65% said 3 or more destinations make for an ideal road trip.
- Most Americans (67%) want to see tourist attractions when traveling.
- Many (57%) want to stay in a city or near a popular U.S. landmark.
- More than half (57%) of Americans listen to a personalized playlist while on the road, and 51% listen to the local radio.
From spouses to pets to strangers, the ideal road trip co-pilot is clear:
- Many Americans (64%) said they are road-tripping this year because they want to make memories with family and friends.
- More than half (60%) of Americans want to road trip with their spouse/partner/significant other.
- One in six Americans (16%) would choose their pet over anyone else to travel with.
- Nearly one in 10 (9%) prefer to be alone on their travels.
- 4% would choose their coworker to travel with.
- 2% would choose a stranger.
Americans continue to prioritize self-care while traveling:
- 45% want to stay at a property with a pool.
- 35% say they want to enjoy a hotel spa.
- More than one in five Americans (23%) say visiting the hotel gym is a must while on vacation.
- 38% say being able to hike close to where they are staying is a priority.
Americans continue to blend work and play while traveling:
- Most survey respondents (76%) said when traveling for work they are likely to extend their trip to include leisure time.
- Most of them (86%) will also stay at the same hotel.
- More than half (58%) of survey respondents reported they’ve had to share a hotel room with a colleague on a work trip.
