HSMAI Sales Leader Forum Insight: Empowered With Data

Emma Scher, AI Product Data Scientist, ZS, delivers a Lightning Round presentation during the 2024 HSMAI Sales Leader Forum in Washington DC.

HSMAI Customer Insight: Inflation Remains a Factor in Travel Planning | Longwoods

Despite a significant decline in the rate of inflation in the U.S. the past couple of years, according to the latest Longwoods International tracking study of American travelers, 57% of them report that inflation is still impacting their decision to travel in the next six months.  And the percentage of travelers who say that inflation will greatly impact their travel decisions in the next six months jumped from 24% in July to 30% in August, the highest level in 2024.

“The impact of inflation and higher prices on travel remains stubbornly elevated,” said Amir Eylon, President and CEO of Longwoods International. Additional insights for HSMAI from Eylon:

 

HSMAI Customer Insight: Americans Planning More International Leisure Trips | Longwoods

According to the latest Longwoods International tracking study of American travelers, 39% of them are likely to take an international leisure trip in the next 12 months.  And 34% of those planning international leisure travel say they will take more international trips this year, 50% plan to take about the same number of such trips, while only 16% are planning fewer international trips.

“The expected boost in international travel by Americans is impressive, given lingering concerns about inflation and the financial health of the U.S. consumer,” said Amir Eylon, President and CEO of Longwoods International.  “And it is further evidence that American travelers see COVID-19 fading away in their rear-view mirror.” Additional insights from Eylon for HSMAI:

 

Read full report: American Travel Sentiment Study – Wave 85: Americans Planning More International Leisure Trips

HSMAI Customer Insight: Strong Summer Travel Season Expected | Longwoods

According to the latest Longwoods International tracking study of American travelers, 92% have travel plans during the next six months. Thirty percent of travelers plan to spend more on summer travel this year compared to last summer, 56% plan to spend about the same as last year, while only 14% plan to spend less.

“With significant summer travel planning underway, early indications look positive for this travel season,” said Amir Eylon, President and CEO of Longwoods International. “However, inflation remains a concern for some, with a quarter of travelers indicating inflation will greatly impact their travel decisions in the next six months.” Additional insights from Eylon for HSMAI:

 

Read the full report: American Travel Sentiment Study – Wave 84 Strong Summer Travel Season Expected

HSMAI Customer Insight: Millions of Travelers Planning Trips to See Eclipse | Longwoods

According to the latest Longwoods International tracking study of American travelers, 14% of them plan to travel at least 50 miles from home to view the solar eclipse on April 8th.  “For those destinations which will experience a total solar eclipse, they should expect a significant boost in visitation around the eclipse,” said Amir Eylon, President and CEO of Longwoods International.

The outlook for travel in 2024 remains strong, with 93% of travelers planning trips during the next six months, the highest level in a year. On their next trips, 64% plan to travel by car to a U.S. destination, while 25% plan to travel by air in the U.S.  For 7% of travelers, their next trip is to a foreign destination. Additional insights for HSMAI from Amir Eylon:

 

Read the full report: American Travel Sentiment Study – Wave 83: Millions of Travelers Planning Trips to See Eclipse

HSMAI Customer Insight: Travelers Use of Chat GPT for Trip Planning Stalls | Longwoods

According to the latest Longwoods International tracking study of American travelers, only 14% of them have used Chat GPT to plan a trip in the past six months. And only 31% of them report that it is likely they will use Chat GPT to plan their next trip, statistically unchanged from 32% in April of 2023.

“While artificial intelligence likely will produce significant changes across the travel industry as it evolves and is deployed, its use as a travel planning tool by consumers thus far remains relatively modest,” said Amir Eylon, President and CEO of Longwoods International. “It likely will be years before we understand the full impact of AI on all aspects of the visitor economy.”

Additional insights from Eylon for HSMAI:

 

Read the full report: American Travel Sentiment Study – Wave 82: Travelers Use of Chat GPT for Trip Planning Stalls

HSMAI Sales Leader Forum Insight: Utilizing AI with Sales and Marketing Automation to Drive Group Sales

Mike Schmitt, CEO of Clairvoyx, provides insights during a 2023 HSMAI Sales Leader Forum Lightning Round session, in which industry experts share best practices, in 6 minutes & 40 second presentations, with practical takeaways that  impact the strategic and leadership aspects of the sales discipline.

 

Save the Date for the 2024 Sales Leader Forum! November 13, 2024 | Washington DC, USA

HSMAI Sales Leader Forum Insight: Underwriting Revenue

Christoph McLaughlin , VP of Asset Management Strategy, Ashford, Inc., provides insights during a 2023 HSMAI Sales Leader Forum Lightning Round session, in which industry experts share best practices, in 6 minutes & 40 second presentations, with practical takeaways that  impact the strategic and leadership aspects of the sales discipline.

HSMAI Customer Insight: Travelers Cautiously Optimistic about 2024 Travel | Longwoods

According to the latest Longwoods International tracking study of American travelers, 92% of them plan to travel in the next six months, which is near a record high percentage in the past 12 months.  However, there has been an uptick in concern about both personal finances and travel costs. Exclusive insights for HSMAI from Longwoods President & CEO Amir Eylon:

 

Read the full report: American Travel Sentiment Study – Wave 81: Travelers Cautiously Optimistic about 2024 Travel

2023 Sales Leader Forum Insight: Customer Insights: Driving Impactful Growth through Stakeholder Understanding

What do customer think about the topics on the minds of sales leaders? And what else are they grappling with in their business? HSMAI Sales Leader Forum attendees heard from customers from multiple business sectors. in this session Moderated by John Washko, Vice President Sales & Marketing at Mohegan Sun and chair of HSMAI’s Americas Board of Directors. It was a thoughtful discussion with Jeanne Norton, CTC, CCTE, GLP, Director, Global Corporate Travel and Expense, OSI Systems, Inc.; and Chelsea Crowe, Director, SMM Procurement & Industry Relations, Ameriprise Financial.