Travel to the U.S. is more resilient than some other countries, but there are already warning signs that the current climate should be cause for concern.
This is not immaterial to UK travel. They need Americans to (continue to) come flocking and spend as much as they can. As much as it may hurt, VisitBritain and other interests will need to pitch the potential big savings of their destination in the months ahead.
Even as there is more awareness about benefits of time off, the overworked, under-vacationed, and under-traveled American remains a reality and the travel industry hasn't done much to band together and attempt to change it, despite some efforts by the U.S. Travel Association and brands like MasterCard and Expedia.
The post-stay hotel survey is here to stay, but mobile makes it possible to gather guests' thoughts more instantaneously on things like a property's restaurant or keyless entry, and hotels also place increasingly greater stock in reviews on property sites as direct bookings become more desirable.
Everyone loves the concept of the sharing economy, but when it comes close to home, feelings about it are a lot more nuanced. Lots more research needs to be done at the local and neighborhood level on the effects of the sharing economy, positive and negative.
The overworked, under-vacationed and under-traveled American is a cliche, and 2014 was no different. Hopefully 2015 will see the travel industry band together to figure out better ways to get Americans to take a break; organizations like USTA and brands like MasterCard and Expedia are trying.