The Impact of Political Climate on International Travel Behaviours and Hotel Sales

Abstract

This thesis explores how political developments in the United States, particularly presidential elections and broader policy shifts, affect international travel behaviours and hotel sales, with a focus on the Nordic market. The research is driven by the central question: How do changes in American political policies affect international travel behaviours and hotel sales?

A qualitative approach was used, combining semi-structured interviews with five professionals in the international hotel and travel industry (four of whom responded), alongside internal sales data from two Helsinki hotels. The study aimed to assess whether political instability or policy change in the U.S. leads to observable shifts in booking patterns, traveller sentiment, or commercial hotel performance in Nordic destinations.

Findings indicate that while political developments in the U.S. do influence international travel behaviours to some extent, their overall impact on hotel sales in the Nordics appears modest rather than substantial. Interview responses revealed heightened awareness of global politics among sales professionals, but only subtle operational changes were implemented in response to political shifts. Internal data from November 2024 showed a slight year-on-year decline in U.S. bookings during the election period, though causality remains difficult to confirm.

The thesis concludes that political awareness should be integrated into strategic sales planning within the hospitality sector, particularly for teams operating in internationally dependent markets. However, further research is recommended to assess long-term trends, broaden the data pool, and explore other markets and political events outside of the United States.