Rare breed: This is what it takes to be an American Traveller*

It is not easy being a traveller from the US nowadays.

Not only do Americans potentially face disdain and ridicule in Canada, Mexico and across Europe, but those wearing MAGA caps can attract outright hostility as far away as Australia.

Now Americans are having to factor rising prices into their travel planning, as well as safety concerns.

Many US travellers expect travel costs to be either more expensive (42%) or remain the same (41%) over the next year, the latest American Travel Sentiment Study by tourism researchers Longwoods International shows.

This will lead to continued value-seeking and deal hunting, it says.

Politics is also influencing an increasing number of trips taken by American travellers. No surprise there.

“Politics in America is playing an ever larger role in the nation’s tourism economy,” said Amir Eylon, president and CEO of Longwoods International.

“Political considerations are driving both a growing number of domestic travel choices and the desirability of the US as a potential travel destination for international visitors from around the world.”

More than 40% of those polled said that the political climate of destinations greatly impacts their travel decisions, up from 24% last September.

Conversely, only 20% reported that a destination’s political climate had no impact on their destination choices.

Travellers are increasingly adjusting their US travel plans based on political factors, news portal Travel Mole reports.

Since November 2024, the percentage of people avoiding specific cities, states or countries has increased from 12% to 20%, and those altering itineraries to avoid certain areas increased from 10% to 15%.

* With respect to Lt. Joe Kenda  

Visiting Macao? Expect to pay more for your hotel room

Your hotel room in Macao might well cost you more this year - and service quality might well have dropped.

Severe staff shortages have left thousands of Macao hotel rooms closed in the short term, Travel Mole reports.

The lack of staff is leading to room rate increases and a drop in service quality, the Macau Responsible Gaming Association says.

Some of the major Macao hotel resorts have up to half their rooms shuttered.

The gaming reliant Macao economy needs a high number of migrant workers but has struggled to fill hospitality positions as inbound visitor numbers rise

“We didn’t expect the reopening would come so fast, so everybody’s unprepared,” said association president Billy Song.

“After three dismal years, we all want to make the best out of this year, but now that customers have come, we don’t have enough capacity to receive them.”

Some Macao hotels have ditched daily housekeeping and are only cleaning rooms after guests check out - which is unlikely to impress high-end guests.

Thousands of hotel rooms have been cut from booking systems as well as the cutback on guest services.

Over 44,000 foreign employees have left Macao since early 2020 due to pandemic closures.