Survey Examines Travel Fatigue and Planning Responsibilities
A survey found that 51% of respondents said they always or often return from leisure travel feeling completely drained.
The survey included 2,000 Americans who said they planned to travel during the next year. Participants were divided evenly by generation. It was commissioned by IHG Hotels & Resorts and conducted by Talker Research.
Sixty-seven percent of respondents described themselves as everyday “hosts,” referring to people who organize plans, solve problems and make sure others are enjoying themselves. Another 67% agreed that being in charge while traveling can feel more like doing a job than taking a vacation.
Responsibilities Travelers Want to Avoid
When asked which tasks they most wanted to leave behind during a vacation, 30% of respondents cited cleaning as the most common response.
28% of travelers selected cooking, followed by making sure other people are happy at 27%, resolving problems at 24%, and adjusting plans around other people’s preferences at 22%.
“Quiet Questing” Leads 2027 Travel Trends
The survey identified “quiet questing” as the travel trend that attracted the greatest share of respondents, at 31%. The term describes vacations focused on peace, reduced digital communication, fewer crowds and a break from regular obligations.
Examples cited in the survey included phone-free trips, non-digital events and silent retreats. Respondents from every generation except Generation Z identified this as the travel experience that interested them most.
The second most popular trend was traveling “like a local,” selected by 29% of respondents. This category describes visiting destinations through local routines, traditions and perspectives rather than focusing only on major attractions.
Generation Z showed the strongest interest in this type of travel, with 26% selecting it. It was also among millennials’ preferred experiences, at 27%.
Other Travel Preferences Include Selective Spending and Privacy
Other trends identified in the survey included “selective splurging,” cited by 22% of respondents. This refers to spending more than usual during a trip on dining, entertainment, transportation, accommodations or upgrades.
“Vacation ghosting” was selected by 19%. It describes taking a trip without telling friends or family until after returning, or potentially not disclosing it at all. “Passport to romance,” which includes traveling with a partner or seeking a romantic connection while away, was selected by 18%.
Other categories included pet-friendly travel and pre-arranged, low-planning trips, each cited by 17% of respondents. Adventure travel, described as physically challenging activities such as hiking, climbing, scuba diving or mountain biking, also received 17%.
Travel Plans Already Taking Shape
Respondents said they were already making plans for 2027. On average, travelers reported having planned two of the three trips they wanted to take during the year.
Respondents most hoped to feel excitement (36%), joy (29%), escape (26%), and calm (24%) while traveling.
Beach and coastal destinations were the most popular settings for those experiences, chosen by 44% of respondents. Major cities followed at 29%, while islands and resort destinations accounted for 27%. Mountains were cited by 24%, and national parks by 21%.