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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JUST THE FACTS

WHAT AMERICANS WANT IN HOTELS
According To The American Express Leisure Travel Index
Timeframe: Fourth Quarter 2003 through 2004

Hotel Stays in Q4 2003

• The majority of Americans who are planning to travel in the fourth quarter of 2003 (52%) will stay at a hotel, motel or resort; 5% say they will stay at an Inn or Bed & Breakfast. Less than half (46%) will stay with friends and family.
• Traveling Americans most apt to stay at a hotel, motel or resort in the fourth quarter are 35-44 years of age (70%), and travelers who have household incomes of $75,000+ (62%). A large number of those with household incomes under $25,000 will also book hotels (54%).
• Younger travelers, 18-34, are more likely to stay with friends or family (64%), as are those with a higher household income range of $50,000-$75,000 (54%).

Choosing Where to Stay in 2003-2004

• The majority of travelers (61%) say that competitive prices count the most when choosing one hotel over another, followed by a hotel's location (53%), and in-hotel services and amenities (36%).
  • In-hotel services and amenities (e.g., health center/spa, children's activities, etc.) are especially important to wealthier travelers with household incomes in the $50,000-$75,000 range (44%), as well as to younger travelers, 18-34 (40%).
• More than one in four (27%) say a full resort offering a variety of leisure activities on the property is important. One in four (25%) will choose a hotel that provides entertainment or is in close proximity to entertainment.
• A hotel's brand (e.g., Hyatt, Marriott, Club Med, etc.) is important to about one in five travelers (21%).
• A pet-friendly hotel, motel or resort is important to nearly one in five (17%).

Hotel Booking Preferences: Online or Direct?

• Travelers like the ease-of-use (55%) and efficiency (54%) of booking directly with a hotel, among other travel-related suppliers including airlines, cruises, etc., via phone when making their travel plans. However, they are less satisfied with the prices quoted when booking directly (46%).
• Travelers are less satisfied with the efficiency (49%) and ease-of-use (48%) of hotel websites, among the websites of other travel-related suppliers.

How Will They Pay?

• The majority (63%) will pay for their hotel accommodations with a credit or charge card. Far fewer (17%) will pay in cash; just over one in ten (12%) vacationers who have cards that earn reward points/miles said they used reward points/miles in the past year for hotel accommodations

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