Research Update: American Travelers Maintain Strong Enthusiasm for Travel Amid Changing Times
The Sustainability Gap Grows Among U.S. Travelers
Longwoods International, in alliance with Miles Partnership recently released the most recent results of the “Ämerican Travel Sentiment Study”, focusing on sustainable travel and real ID awareness among 1,000 adults surveyed in April with intent to travel within the next two years. Key insights from this wave are:
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The Sustainability Gap Is Growing
- Despite valuing sustainability, fewer travelers are acting on it—down 5 points in those who left destinations unchanged, and 8 points in those who minimized their environmental impact compared to May 2023.
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Community Support Drives Travel Decisions
- 60% of travelers say supporting local businesses and community projects is important when choosing where to travel.
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Sustainable Travel Matters—To a Point
- 53% of travelers say sustainable travel is somewhat to very important to them, but follow-through is lagging
Discover Puerto Rico has been actively working on promoting more sustainable travel, focusing on Conscientious Travelers. Just this week, we launched The Green Path, a microsite fully dedicated to amplifying Puerto Rico's many sustainable offerings.
Another important piece of information from this recent wave of research is related to REAL ID Awareness vs. Action. The REAL ID implementation date is coming up on May 7th. While most (8 in 10) American travelers know the May 7th REAL ID deadline, only 51% currently have a REAL ID.
Lodging Growth Continues with New Developments Ahead
Looking at the growth in lodging accommodations, supply through Q1 increased 8% since last year, with hotel room nights growing 1.9% while rental nights continue their impressive growth at 14%.
In March (year to date), the Island boasts an impressive 3 million room nights combined hotel and rental supply, with rentals accounting for 53% of total market share.
According to AirDNA 's March results, Puerto Rico has approximately 21,900 listings with a year-to-date average rate of $222. San Juan boasts 4,900 listings, just under a quarter of the total market , selling on average at $211 per night. However, the Western Region of the Island has the highest number of available listings, totaling 5,500 at an average room rate of $206.
New hotel projects on the pipeline include: The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan – (opening in 2025 with 417-room luxury rooms), Veranó San Juan – (opening in Spring 2025 with 20 suites), ONE DISTRITO – (opening by mid-2027 with 109 apartment-style units), Moncayo – (opening by mid-2027 68-suite resort, 15 oceanfront villas, and branded residences), Esencia (TBD) 500 hotel keys, 900 branded residences) and Four Seasons Resort and Private Residences – (expected late 2025).
Cultural Tourism Stays Strong in Old San Juan
The San Juan National Historic Site, home to historic Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Castillo San Cristobal in Old San Juan, has welcomed more than 429,000 visitors during the first quarter of this year, a slight increase from last year (+2%).
Park visitation during March reached 163,000, the best March results since 2016, despite a 20% decrease in San Juan cruise passenger arrivals compared to last year.
Azira's geolocation tracking data suggests that the top U.S. origin markets for 2024 overnight visitors for the 2024 who visited Old San Juan are New York, Orlando, Miami, Tampa, Philadelphia, and Boston.
Old San Juan was the most visited region tracked by geolocation for overnight visitors in 2024, followed by Plaza Las Americas, El Yunque Rainforest, la Placita de Santurce and Distrito T-Mobile. Quarter 1 2025 geolocation data will be available soon.
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