Last-Minute Planners Enjoy New Year’s Eve More, Survey Says – Good News for the 58% of People Who Haven’t Made Plans Yet

There’s good news for those who haven’t yet solidified their plans to ring in 2019. A new survey suggests that waiting until after Dec. 25 could actually ward off the common feeling of post-New Year’s Eve letdown.

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Just in time for the most famous outdoor New Year's Eve gathering in the U.S., Hilton debuts a dynamic, new digital billboard 'takeover' in New York City's Times Square that encourages all travelers, including last-minute New Year's Eve planners, to expect better--with choices like holiday deals and packages plus a host of direct booking benefits to plus-up travel in the New Year. (Intended for news use only.) (Photo: Business Wire)

As the holiday scientifically proven to generate disappointment draws near, half of adults surveyed by Hilton this month say they typically do not feel satisfied after New Year’s Eve is over. But those who’ve waited until after Dec. 25 to make their New Year’s Eve plans were twice as likely to avoid disappointment than those who planned ahead. Plans that involve traveling or staying at a hotel for the holiday are particularly appealing to this year’s revelers, according to survey results, so Hilton is offering New Year’s Eve deals to help people ring in 2019.

“There’s something appealing about celebrating in a hotel, where there’s a staff at your service, you can order food and don’t have to worry about decorations or clean-up or driving home,” said Kellyn Smith Kenny, Chief Marketing Officer, Hilton. “Through the years we’ve also learned our guests love a little spontaneity, as visits to our website spike immediately after Christmas Day and people start to make last-minute plans for New Year’s Eve and the coming year. This survey tells us there might be a good reason for that – because last-minute hotel plans can make for the best New Year’s Eve.”

Results from the survey indicate consumers agree. Half of adults surveyed said that traveling somewhere new to celebrate New Year's Eve sounds more exciting than their current options, and more than a third agreed that even local travel to a hotel in their city or town is more exciting than going to a house party. Overall, 61 percent said they would prefer to book a hotel room rather than drive home on New Year’s Eve – and 40 percent think a party that takes place at a hotel would be the ultimate New Year’s Eve experience.

According to the survey, close to half of adults say they have more fun when New Year's Eve plans are spontaneous rather than structured.

The online omnibus survey, conducted Dec. 12 and 13 among 1,000 U.S. adults, also found:

• 58 percent of adults had not yet finalized their New Year’s Eve plans for this year.
• 43 percent typically make their New Year's Eve plans between Christmas and New Year's Eve.
• 38 percent would rather take a trip to celebrate New Year's Eve than celebrate in their city or town.

Hilton Rings in 2019 With New Year’s Eve Deals

To promote New Year’s revelry and celebrate the start of 2019, Hilton is offering several deals to help people ring in the New Year at participating properties:

• Celebrate in Style Package: With this package, New Year’s Eve revelers can enjoy complimentary sparkling wine or cider on arrival. To start the new year off right, they will also receive breakfast for two in bed, full access to a health club, pool and whirlpool spa (where available), and early check-in or late check-out.
• Leisure Escapes Package: Along with a hotel stay, travelers can receive a $50 daily credit for dining, shopping, relaxing and more – enabling guests to celebrate New Year’s Eve in style.
• Park & Stay Package: This package covers daily parking every night of the stay, a valued convenience which means more money to spend on having fun.

Guests can book their stays directly with Hilton through any official Hilton website or call center, the Hilton Honors app, at a Hilton property or through an accredited travel agent. And as part of Hilton’s “Expect Better” promise, guests who book directly can take advantage of Hilton’s Price Match Guarantee, which says that if a traveler finds a lower rate, Hilton will match that price and then discount the stay by 25 percent*.

Members of Hilton Honors, which is Hilton’s free-to-join loyalty program, have access to instant benefits when they book direct, including the opportunity to earn Points toward future stays, free standard Wi-Fi, and access to the Hilton Honors mobile app where they can use Digital Key and choose their own room. A flexible payment slider also allows Honors members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay. Learn more at Hilton.com.

*Terms & Conditions are available on the Hilton website.

About Hilton

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 16 world-class brands comprising more than 5,500 properties with nearly 895,000 rooms, in 109 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its mission to be the world’s most hospitable company, Hilton earned a spot on the 2018 world’s best workplaces list, and has welcomed more than 3 billion guests in its nearly 100 year history. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program, Hilton Honors, nearly 82 million members who book directly with Hilton have access to instant benefits, including digital check-in with room selection, Digital Key, and Connected Room. Visit newsroom.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

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Binoli Dua
Hilton
+1 571 581 8718
[email protected]