[2026 Travel Survey] Despite Rising Prices, '3+ Trips Per Year' Most Common; Over 60% Affected in Decision-Making. 'Travel Welfare' Boosts Motivation for About 90%

Resortworks Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture, Representative Director: Masashi Yanagida, hereinafter Resortworks), a company providing travel-specialized welfare services, conducted a survey to understand current travel trends amidst rising travel costs due to recent price increases and the depreciating yen.

This survey targeted working adults at Resortworks member companies, clarifying their travel plans for this year, the impact of rising prices on their travel destination decisions, and how welfare benefits influence their travel motivation.

[Survey Summary]

Over 70% plan to travel 'at least once' this year. '3 or more times' is the most common, indicating high travel motivation.

About 30% are 'considering or giving up' international travel. The main reasons are 'weak yen' and 'soaring airfares'.

About 40% are cautious about domestic travel. The most common reason is 'soaring travel expenses'.

About 60% are affected by rising prices in their travel frequency and decision-making. About 40% are shifting to a 'nearby preference'.

About 90% report increased travel motivation due to 'accommodation discounts' from welfare benefits.

[Survey Outline]

Survey Name: Survey on Changes in Travel Behavior Due to Rising Prices

Survey Organizer: Resortworks Co., Ltd.

Survey Method: Web questionnaire

Survey Period: April 28, 2026 - May 1, 2026

Survey Target: Resortworks members

Number of Responses: 756 people

[Survey Results]

■ Over 70% plan to travel 'at least once' this year. '3 or more times' is the most common, indicating high travel motivation.

When asked about their travel plans for this year, '3 or more times' accounted for 33.1% (250 people), '2 times' for 21.7% (164 people), and '1 time' for 23.3% (176 people), totaling approximately 78% of people planning to travel. This revealed that travel motivation itself remains at a high level.

■ About 30% are 'considering or giving up' international travel. The main reasons are 'weak yen' and 'soaring airfares'.

To the question, 'Have you given up on international travel this year?', the responses were: 'Given up (14.8%)', 'Considering (13.0%)', 'Proceeding as planned (8.6%)', and 'Not planning (63.6%)'.

When delving into the 'biggest reason for giving up' among those who answered 'Given up or Considering' (209 people), the top reason was 'Felt expensive due to the weak yen (37.8%)', followed by 'Soaring airfares and surcharges (25.8%)'. This shows that over 60% of respondents are abandoning international travel due to 'cost issues'.

The impact of recent global economic conditions and unstable world affairs leading to soaring fuel prices has highlighted the reality that international travel has become more difficult.

■ About 40% are cautious about domestic travel. The most common reason is 'soaring travel expenses'.

For domestic travel, 'Proceeding as planned (47.5%)' accounted for nearly half, indicating a higher intention to travel compared to international travel. On the other hand, combining 'Hesitating (27.1%)' and 'Given up (8.9%)' shows that about 40% are cautious, revealing the existence of a segment unable to commit to travel.

The biggest reason for 'giving up or hesitating' was 'soaring travel expenses (accommodation/transportation)' at 47.4%, making price and cost increases the main factor for holding back on domestic travel as well.

■ About 60% are affected by rising prices in their travel frequency and decision-making. About 40% are shifting to a 'nearby preference'.

The total percentage of respondents who answered that rising prices 'significantly affected' or 'affected' their travel decisions was 60.3%. As a specific impact, about half, 48.5%, responded that their travel frequency 'decreased (21.8%)' or 'somewhat decreased (26.7%)'.

Furthermore, changes were observed in how destinations are chosen, with about 50% responding that they 'tend to choose nearby places more than before'. A clear shift towards a more pragmatic travel style of 'reducing frequency and enjoying closer destinations' is evident.

■ About 90% report increased travel motivation due to 'accommodation discounts' from welfare benefits!

When asked about the impact on travel motivation if accommodation costs were discounted by 30% or more through welfare benefits, 'significantly increased' was 47.1% and 'somewhat increased' was 41.5%, totaling about 90% who said it would lead to increased travel motivation. This shows that cost reduction encourages travel motivation.

■ Summary: The 'Wall of Rising Prices' Hinders Travel Motivation. Satisfactory Travel Expense Discounts are the Solution.

This survey revealed that while travel motivation is high, the impact of rising prices is leading to the abandonment of international travel and adjustments in domestic travel destinations and frequency.

On the other hand, about 90% responded that they would be 'more positive about travel' if there was support such as satisfactory accommodation discounts. In an era of continuously rising travel costs, providing schemes for companies to alleviate travel expenses is an extremely effective measure to promote individual refreshment and improve employee satisfaction.

Resortworks