Expenditure on first- and business-class air travel rose by 9.1 percent and 5.4 percent respectively in the third quarter of 2011, while spending on luxury hotel accommodation grew by only 2,2 percent, a study has revealed.
According to the American Express Business Insights study, spending on economy hotels grew by 10.5 percent in the same period.
Industry analysts and travelers have attributed this trend to frustration with flying and an improvement on the standards of economy lodging, USA Today reported.
"It really speaks to the fact that [consumers are] so concerned about the airline experience that they're willing to make the trade-off," Applied Predictive Technologies senior vice president of hospitality Maryam Wehe told the paper.
One (business and leisure) traveler admitted that hotels were for sleeping, while it was “miserable for me to spend five or 15 hours on an airplane in Economy”.
"The only time I spend in a hotel is when I'm sleeping," law attorney John Harding said.
"I don't need all the accoutrements."
According to American Express Business Insights senior vice president Ed Jay, the trend in accommodation spending is focusing on luxury or value options, “which also speaks to the barbell effect apparent in travel — and other sectors — wherein consumers selectively choose either high-end or low-cost options, squeezing out the midtier providers with flat or declining spending growth”.
Source = e-Travel Blackboard: G.A
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