We're Still Gonna Travel

Consumer confidence continues to slog through uncharted negative territory...and discretionary spending has consistently remained at 30% off last year's levels all year.

Discretionary spending. That would encompass leisure travel, eh? So, if one believes the numbers, leisure travel should be off 30%.

But, it's not (according to Suzanne Cook at the US Travel Association). Domestic leisure travel posted only a 2.7 percent decline in volume and a 10.3 percent loss in spending year-to-date through Q3 '09. Shorter, closer-to-home and less costly travel options continue to be the norm, and some destinations are benefiting from this shift.

We may be holding back on the bling...but we apparently don't regard leisure travel as discretionary. And that's a good thing for the economy.

Comments

[Gary Knowles]

In keeping with the report Bill, I just talked to a couple of top SW WI tourism attraction operators - Both report visitors are up - but spending in the gift shops is down by about 30%. People still want the memory but are willing to do without the t-shirts and mugs.