Emily Reeve, 32, and her husband usually travel for Thanksgiving but are staying put this year in Oregon due to concerns about potential post-election unrest. Anxiety around the 2024 election is causing some consumers to rethink travel plans, with Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian expecting people to be hesitant to travel around the election period. Businesses are also seeing a decrease in travel bookings around the election week, with concerns about safety and political uncertainty. Security measures at airports are expected to increase during this time.
Despite the political climate, 38% of U.S. adults still plan to travel this holiday season, reflecting a slight increase from last year. Concerns about travel costs have decreased, allowing room for political jitters to affect travel choices. Some travelers, like Olivia MacLeod Dwinell, 64, and her husband, accelerated their travel plans to Europe to avoid potential domestic turmoil post-election. Others, like a multigenerational family considering a cruise, are holding off due to worries about possible job security and government shutdowns.
Additionally, concerns about political conflict during family gatherings are prevalent among Gen Z and millennial travelers, with some families opting to avoid traveling together this year. Overall, the political climate is impacting travel decisions, with uncertainty and safety concerns leading some consumers to alter their plans and stay closer to home.
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